LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS RETURNS TO MILITARY CHANNEL FOR AN ALL-NEW SEASON OF AN OFFICER AND A MOVIE

-- The USO of Metropolitan Washington Salutes Actor for His Support of Our Troops at the Annual USO-Metro Awards Dinner on March 14 --

(Silver Spring, Md.) - Hollywood film and television actor Lou Diamond Phillips is back to host an all-new season of AN OFFICER AND A MOVIE on Military Channel. Premiering every Saturday night at 8 PM in March, AN OFFICER AND A MOVIE features Phillips interviewing both retired and active duty officers who have survived major battles or have expertise in the conflicts portrayed in notable Hollywood films. The commentary provided in each film is derived from the first-hand experiences and insight of officers who help bring the films to life. The premieres kick off with "Platoon," where Phillips interviews actor, war movie advisor and retired Marine Captain Dale Dye, airing Saturday, March 2 at 8 PM (E/P) on Military Channel.

The premieres are timed to Lou Diamond Phillips's latest recognition, where he will be presented the Legacy of Achievement Award by the USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro) for his commitment to our men and women in uniform at their 31st annual black tie awards dinner on March 14 in Arlington, VA. The USO-Metro awards dinner honors our nation's service members and the exceptional volunteers who support them and their families.

"The discussions and interviews on AN OFFICER AND A MOVIE allow us to see war movies in an entirely new light by bringing the reality to what we sometimes only see as fiction," said Kevin Bennett, SVP of programming and research of Military Channel. "We are continually honored to have Lou Diamond Phillips interview some of the U.S. military's most distinguished leaders on behalf of Military Channel, and we salute the USO-Metro for recognizing Lou's significant humanitarian work and heartfelt dedication to our troops."

In the first episode of the series on March 2 at 8 PM (ET), Lou Diamond Phillips and Marine Captain Dale Dye (Ret.) talk about the 1986 Oscar-winning film "Platoon," starring Forest Whitaker, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, and Charlie Sheen. Having survived several combat operations in Vietnam, Capt. Dye received three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star for Valor, two Navy Commendation Medals, and a Joint Service Commendation Medal. After he retired, he began helping filmmakers achieve greater realism in depicting military life and war. He worked as an advisor on Platoon and even played a small role in the film.

In addition to "Platoon," AN OFFICER AND A MOVIE this March will feature "Gallipoli," "Halls of Montezuma," and "Uncommon Valor." Additional schedule and interviews are as follows:

GALLIPOLI - Premieres Saturday, March 9 from 8-11 PM E/P

Former Army Specialist and Super Bowl Champion Rocky Bleier talks to Lou Diamond Phillips about this Golden Globe-winning film based on the events of the Gallipoli Campaign in Turkey during World War II. "Gallipoli," starring Mel Gibson, depicts the lives of young men from Western Australia as they cope with being enlisted in the Australian Army during the First World War. Bleier is a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart recipient and has won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

HALLS OF MONTEZUMA - Premieres Saturday, March 16 from 8-10:30 PM E/P

Based on U.S. Marines fighting on a Japanese-held island, this presentation of "Halls of Montezuma" features a discussion with Major William Wilburn, who has served with the Marines all around the world. The WWII film starring Jack Palance and Karl Malden is also the first credited role for Jack Wagner, and profiles the lives of Marines at war and the relationships they must form to help each other survive. Maj. Wilburn has served as an intelligence officer in hot war zones in the Balkan Crisis and in Afghanistan, and has played a key role in implementing the modern counter-intelligence strategy that is an integral part of today's warfare.

UNCOMMON VALOR - Premieres Saturday, March 23 from 8-10:30 PM E/P

A member of the veterans' support and advocacy group, Rolling Thunder, Army Special Forces Major Bruce Person (Ret.) joins Lou Diamond Phillips in a discussion about "Uncommon Valor." Starring Gene Hackman, the film follows the story of a group of Vietnam War veterans who reunite to rescue one of their own who was left behind and imprisoned by the Vietnamese. Maj. Person discusses Rolling Thunder's commitment to leaving no man behind.

AN OFFICER AND A MOVIE is produced by the Military Channel. Emil Gallina is director, Ron Simon is executive producer, Sara Kozak is senior vice president of production, Kevin Bennett is senior vice president of programming and research, and Henry Schleiff is president and general manager.

About Lou Diamond Phillips

Phillips first came to the public's attention when he starred as Richie Valens in La Bamba and solidified his reputation in Stand and Deliver, for which he won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor and received a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe nomination. Lou can soon be seen on the big screen in the Sundance hit Filly Brown. Other notable film credits include Courage Under Fire, Young Guns and most recently, CHE. Additionally, Phillips earned a Tony nomination for Best Actor for his performance as the King of Siam in the Broadway production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I. Phillips can currently be seen on the hit A&E series Longmire and on Military Channel's An Officer and a Movie. A few of his other memorable television credits include Stargate: Universe, Chuck, Psych, Law and Order: SVU, and Numb3rs. As a director, Phillips is currently filming Tao of Surfing based on the Pulitzer Prize nominated book by Michael A. Allen.

The son of a Navy officer, Phillips was born at Subic Bay U.S. Naval Station in the Philippines. Phillips is a longtime supporter of our nation's Armed Forces. He has participated in many USO-Metro celebrity handshake tours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to visit our wounded, ill and injured troops. He has welcomed wounded warriors on set during the taping of Military Channel's series An Officer and a Movie, and most recently, Phillips served as the celebrity guest at USO-Metro's Salute to Military Chefs dinner, where he shared his passion for cooking.

About Military Channel

The Military Channel brings viewers compelling, real-world stories of heroism, military strategy, and significant turning points in history. Currently available in more than 57 million homes, the network takes viewers "behind the lines" to hear the personal stories of servicemen and women and offers in-depth explorations of military training, aviation technology and cutting-edge weaponry. As the only cable network devoted to military subjects, it also provides unique access to this world, allowing viewers to understand the full spectrum of experiences intrinsic to the armed forces, as well as the long-held traditions of the military. For more information, please visit military.discovery.com.