Netflix series on Marines’ quick-reaction force on Okinawa to debut on Corps’ birthday | Stars and Stripes

Netflix series on Marines’ quick-reaction force on Okinawa to debut on Corps’ birthday | Stars and Stripes

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Netflix series on Marines’ quick-reaction force on Okinawa to debut on Corps’ birthday By BRIAN MCELHINEY STARS AND STRIPES • November 7, 2025 

The documentary series "Marines," which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, premieres on Netflix on Nov. 10, 2025. (Amblin Entertainment) Netflix is set to unveil another series about the Marine Corps, this time a four-part documentary about a rapid-response task force on Okinawa. “Marines” is scheduled to premiere Monday — the service’s 250th birthday — on the streaming service in the United States. Its story focuses on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Hansen. A film crew embedded with the unit for three months in summer 2024 during its pre-deployment certification exercise and patrol, Marine entertainment and media liaison Maj. Hector Alejandro said by email Thursday from Hollywood, Calif. Filming locations included Okinawa, the South China Sea, and aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America and amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay. “This was a great opportunity to show America what our Marines do every day,” 31st MEU commander Col. Chris Niedziocha said in a quote relayed by Alejandro. “The film crews had access to anything they wanted and saw just about everything we do during a patrol. I think it’s obvious from the series the incredible level of commitment our Marines have and just how ready to fight we are and the vital role we play ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region.” The documentary series "Marines," which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, premieres on Netflix on Nov. 10, 2025. (Amblin Entertainment) Netflix describes “Marines” as a “coming-of-age docuseries.” Nine Marines and one U.S. Navy sailor, ranging from junior enlisted to senior leaders, are featured in the documentary, Alejandro said. They include machine gunners, scout snipers, F-35B Lightning II pilots and UH-1Y Venom helicopter pilots. “This series is a chance for families, friends, and the American public to gain a much deeper understanding of the service and sacrifice involved in being part of America’s forward-deployed crisis response force,” he said. “Marines” will be the second series aired this fall by Netflix about the sea service. The comedy-drama “Boots,” about a gay recruit, debuted Oct. 9. It’s based on Marine veteran Greg Cope White’s memoir, “The Pink Marine.” “The Marine Corps changed my life, and I wanted to honor the institution that took a chance on me,” White, who served for six years, told Stars and Stripes last month. The eight-episode first season climbed to No. 2 in Netflix viewership for October, after Pentagon spokeswoman Kingsley Wilson dismissed the series as “woke garbage,” according to entertainment news website Deadline on Oct. 21. “Marines” director Chelsea Yarnell has worked on Netflix documentaries “Cheer” and “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.” Production company Amblin Entertainment, led by director Steven Spielberg, also produced the World War II-set series “Masters of the Air” and “Band of Brothers.” The documentary series "Marines," which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, premieres on Netflix on Nov. 10, 2025. (Amblin Entertainment) Journalist and documentarian Sebastian Junger, known for codirecting the 2010 Afghanistan War documentary “Restrepo,” serves as an executive producer on “Marines.” The 31st is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units, each consisting of about 2,200 Marines and sailors embarked aboard amphibious warships, according to its website. It features a combination of air, ground and support elements, and is designed to quickly respond in combat and non-combat crisis situations including humanitarian assistance and evacuation operations. MARINES ASIA/PACIFIC FEATURED ON INSTAGRAM BRIAN MCELHINEY Brian McElhiney is a reporter for Stars and Stripes based in Okinawa, Japan. He has worked as a music reporter and editor for publications in New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and Oregon. One of his earliest journalistic inspirations came from reading Stars and Stripes as a kid growing up in Okinawa.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-11-06/marines-okinawa-netflix-docu-series-19681616.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawN9RZNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeFiuwq6Ed0w2jFcTULPtlsTeA3mbpYbX70oEjHbbKkxdjnTqZvzdeCMV6Mp4_aem_BN5NZyxB60OderLusBSCVA

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Netflix series on Marines’ quick-reaction force on Okinawa to debut on Corps’ birthday By BRIAN MCELHINEY STARS AND STRIPES • November 7, 2025 The documentary series "Marines," which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, premieres on Netflix on Nov. 10, 2025. (Amblin Entertainment) Netflix is set to unveil another series about the Marine Corps, this time a four-part documentary about a rapid-response task force on Okinawa. “Marines” is scheduled to premiere Monday — the service’s 250th birthday — on the streaming service in the United States. Its story focuses on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Hansen. A film crew embedded with the unit for three months in summer 2024 during its pre-deployment certification exercise and patrol, Marine entertainment and media liaison Maj. Hector Alejandro said by email Thursday from Hollywood, Calif. Filming locations included Okinawa, the South China Sea, and aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America and amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay. “This was a great opportunity to show America what our Marines do every day,” 31st MEU commander Col. Chris Niedziocha said in a quote relayed by Alejandro. “The film crews had access to anything they wanted and saw just about everything we do during a patrol. I think it’s obvious from the series the incredible level of commitment our Marines have and just how ready to fight we are and the vital role we play ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region.” The documentary series "Marines," which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, premieres on Netflix on Nov. 10, 2025. (Amblin Entertainment) Netflix describes “Marines” as a “coming-of-age docuseries.” Nine Marines and one U.S. Navy sailor, ranging from junior enlisted to senior leaders, are featured in the documentary, Alejandro said. They include machine gunners, scout snipers, F-35B Lightning II pilots and UH-1Y Venom helicopter pilots. “This series is a chance for families, friends, and the American public to gain a much deeper understanding of the service and sacrifice involved in being part of America’s forward-deployed crisis response force,” he said. “Marines” will be the second series aired this fall by Netflix about the sea service. The comedy-drama “Boots,” about a gay recruit, debuted Oct. 9. It’s based on Marine veteran Greg Cope White’s memoir, “The Pink Marine.” “The Marine Corps changed my life, and I wanted to honor the institution that took a chance on me,” White, who served for six years, told Stars and Stripes last month. The eight-episode first season climbed to No. 2 in Netflix viewership for October, after Pentagon spokeswoman Kingsley Wilson dismissed the series as “woke garbage,” according to entertainment news website Deadline on Oct. 21. “Marines” director Chelsea Yarnell has worked on Netflix documentaries “Cheer” and “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.” Production company Amblin Entertainment, led by director Steven Spielberg, also produced the World War II-set series “Masters of the Air” and “Band of Brothers.” The documentary series "Marines," which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, premieres on Netflix on Nov. 10, 2025. (Amblin Entertainment) Journalist and documentarian Sebastian Junger, known for codirecting the 2010 Afghanistan War documentary “Restrepo,” serves as an executive producer on “Marines.” The 31st is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units, each consisting of about 2,200 Marines and sailors embarked aboard amphibious warships, according to its website. It features a combination of air, ground and support elements, and is designed to quickly respond in combat and non-combat crisis situations including humanitarian assistance and evacuation operations. MARINES ASIA/PACIFIC FEATURED ON INSTAGRAM BRIAN MCELHINEY Brian McElhiney is a reporter for Stars and Stripes based in Okinawa, Japan. He has worked as a music reporter and editor for publications in New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and Oregon. One of his earliest journalistic inspirations came from reading Stars and Stripes as a kid growing up in Okinawa.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-11-06/marines-okinawa-netflix-docu-series-19681616.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawN9RZNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeFiuwq6Ed0w2jFcTULPtlsTeA3mbpYbX70oEjHbbKkxdjnTqZvzdeCMV6Mp4_aem_BN5NZyxB60OderLusBSCVA
Source - Stars and Stripes

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