From time to time, training areas on Joint Base Lewis-McChord might resemble the sets of war movies.

Lately, though, some look more like the sets of a reality TV series.

Actor Ricky Schroder and his production company, OLD POST Films, will be at Joint Base Lewis-McChord for the next four weeks filming episodes of the proposed reality show called "Starting Strong." The program follows prospective Army recruits as they try out Military Occupational Specialties for a week, helping them decide whether or not to join.

Beyond that, though, it will help show the world what Soldiers' lives are like.

"(The best point has been) Getting to know these Soldiers and really getting to hear from the horse's mouth what they like and what they wish they could change," Schroder said.

Schroder started the series to tell Soldiers' stories, and has worked directly with the Army to produce the program. While a network hasn't picked up the series yet, the team hopes to find a buyer and have it air sometime in 2012.

Work on "Starting Strong" has been underway for the last 18 months, with nine episodes already in the can when filming started on JBLM two weeks ago. The first of the five local episodes featured the 4th Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Regiment.

Each prospect gets a senior NCO mentor and two lower enlisted battle buddies to guide them through tasks.

Julian Chavez, 19, spent a week trying out life in the 4-6 Air Cav. He spent time in the field, helped assess and repair aircraft and was surprised at the end of the week with a visit from a former Soldier who now uses the same skills in the civilian world.

"This will definitely put in perspective what Army life is like," battle buddy Spc. Sean Shuttleworth said, though he noted that shooting a reality show can feel a bit contrived.

Chavez's favorite experiences early in the week included shooting an M-240 machine gun out of a helicopter. Watermelons were fixed behind targets for a cinematic effect when hit.

"That was exhilarating," he said.

The Army is interested in the series as a recruiting tool, since it will show those thinking about enlisting that the military can be a great place to start a career. But it's not just the prospect who benefits from the program.

"The public of our country kind of will get a taste of what we do," 4-6 Air Cav. Commander Col. Jay F. Klaus said.

On site liaison officer Tim Connelly, a retired Army colonel who acts as a technical adviser for the film crew, pointed out that most civilians don't really know what Soldiers do on a day to day basis.

"(Their support) is well-meaning and it's genuine, but not everyone can put a face on that," he said. "It's a lifestyle that I don't think they really know," he said. "The Army has a culture."