Best Military Comedies of All Time

Military life is something that you have to see in order to fully understand, and in many cases, people assume it's all drama and tears. Anyone who's dealt with the military can tell you that most of the time, this is true—but not always.

When you're warring or just training, there are going to be certain points where you will just need to laugh things off. Otherwise, you'll end up going crazy. That's why watching the best military comedies of all time is a favorite for vets, and why so many of them are mainstream hits, too.

Forrest Gump still remains one of the best military comedies of all time, despite it being made over 20 years ago. This classic movie talks about the life of a returning Vietnam War veteran whose uniquely sunny and innocent attitude captured the hearts of millions.

The movie has given us classic quotes like "Life is like a box of chocolates," and "Run, Forrest, run!" It's heartwarming and makes you realize that following orders can do a lot to help your life get better. Far from the typically dramatic release of war movies, this is one movie that is all about good feelings.

With peace finally coming to America, one of the military's most ruthless majors finds himself out of a job. As a result, he ends up having to take a job as a teacher for a rag-tag group of kids. The problem? He has no experience with kids and doesn't know how to work with them.

Damon Wayans made a great comedy that will warm your heart and also make you laugh in ways few other comedies can. As such, it's one of the best military comedies for vets and civilians alike—and also scores highly among military training movies, too.

Stripes is one of those films that military vets will find themselves identifying with from time to time, and that's a large part of the reason why it's one of the best military comedies of all time.

Bill Murray plays a recently-dumped guy who decides to enlist alongside his best friend. One thing leads to another, and he ends up becoming the de facto leader of a ragtag band of military misfits. Oh, and somehow, his plan to use his military enlistment to meet women works.

If you love retro comedies with irreverent glances at military life, then Down Periscope is going to be one of the best Navy movies you'll ever see. This has all the things that most military personnel wanted to do in it, and the results are rip-roaringly hilarious.

Even though this movie is old-school, the jokes are still as hilarious as ever, and will have you laughing until you burst. Kelsey Grammar's performance in Down Periscope is legendary, and that's what makes it one of the best military comedies to ever hit the silver screen.

Among television series, it's clear that M*A*S*H was one of the best military comedies of all time. It was about a group of medics in a military field hospital during the Vietnam War; and considering the times, it was one that absolutely struck a nerve with many vets.

The movie, which was released in 1970, still has the same wry humor that people know from the series. It's a classic among classics, and any vet will tell you that.

Goldie Hawn was one of the hottest stars of yesteryear, and seeing her in one of the best military comedies of all time will make even the youngest folks appreciate the talent she had.

In Private Benjamin, Goldie Hawn plays a high society girl who decides to join the military on a whim. Things quickly become a lot more challenging than the sociality imagined.

Sgt. Bilko is a multiple-year classic that has become famous for its witty humor and downright ridiculous comedic moments. In Sgt. Bilko, it's up to a rag-tag group of soldiers to prevent their base from getting shut down. How will they do it? Well, you have to watch to find out.

Many people would argue that this is Steve Martin's best work—and that alone should tell you how great a film this is.

Known as one of the most famous anti-war films of all time, and as one of the best military comedies ever made, Doctor Strangelove is all about pointing out how ridiculous trusting people who wage war is.

Doctor Strangelove, the man that the US military entrusts to help with war planning, is a totally mad German scientist. Another high-ranking official is obsessed with "precious bodily fluids." And, at the end of the day, this surreal comedy makes you realize how insane military life is.

It's a Stanley Kubrick masterpiece, period.

Hot Shots! is one of the best military comedies of all time, simply because it's got so many epically campy moments and mocks Top Gun so beautifully. In Hot Shots!, a totally unstable fighter pilot has to overcome the reputation of his father and deal with a totally incompetent higher up.

The more he works, the more he realizes that he may end up being a pawn in a much larger operation. Charlie Sheen stars in this, so you automatically know that the pilot's instability is very authentically acted.

The sequel's not too shabby, either.