NYT: When Hollywood’s Big Guns Come Right From the Source.
“The military gets the chance to put its best foot forward, which officials say is essential in seeking recruits at a time when there is no draft and the nation is on a war footing.
“‘We want the opportunity to communicate directly to the American public through that powerful medium,’ said Philip M. Strub, the Pentagon’s special assistant for entertainment media.
“But it is less clear what taxpayers reap from the relationship. Supporters say that if a positive portrayal of the military helps draw recruits, the entire country benefits, while critics say that taxpayers are subsidizing Hollywood and get little more than pro-military propaganda in return.”
There’s a very interesting breakdown of the specific payments made to the government for the use of their hardware and personnel in film, on the second page.