Fans of the television show "Modern Family" probably don't think of family patriarch Jay Pritchett first and foremost as a veteran. Occasionally the character will mention his time in the Navy and how it shaped him, but for the most part he is your typical American man who loves his family and works hard to grow his business. It is this portrayal that won the television show accreditation from Got Your 6.
The organization, which works to integrate more accurate images of veterans into the media, recognized six programs for their commitment to accurate portrayals of former members of the military, the Washington Post reported. This is the first of what the nonprofit hopes will be many rounds of accreditations.
To be "6 Certified," a movie or TV show must contain a balanced and representative depiction of veterans, Got Your 6 reported. It must also fulfill one of six actions:
- Consult with a veteran, family member or expert to create an accurate representation.
- Cast a veteran in a significant role.
- Create a veteran character that is multidimensional.
- Hire a veteran writer to work on the script.
- Develop a meaningful narrative that accurately tells a veteran story.
- Have a veteran present during the filming process to ensure accuracy.
There are many ways that veterans can help other vets outside of the media.
The other films and shows recognized this month were the eclectic mix of box office hit "American Sniper," "Amira and Sam," "Hawaii Five-O," NBC's "The Night Shift" and the 20th season of "Dancing with the Stars" that featured wounded warrior Noah Galloway.
The certification campaign is a response to a Got Your 6 survey in 2014 that revealed that most veteran characters in the media are portrayed as both heroic and damaged, an impression that affected how the American public viewed military members in their life after service.