Criminal Minds has Vietnam and Marines as subject

UPDATE Criminal Minds The Fallen stand tall

This is one of my favorite shows. I'll be watching tonight just like every Wednesday (not counting re-runs) but so far, I have been very disappointed when a veteran is the subject they search for. The only time I think they did a great job was in To Hell and Back. An Iraq veteran caused the team to search for homeless people being murdered and not the murderer.

Joe Mantegna has done a lot for veterans and there is not doubt in my mind he really cares about veterans, so I adore him anyway.

Joe Mantegna Thrilled About His ‘Criminal Minds’ Marine Storyline
by Paulette Cohn
November 13, 2012

It’s a special episode for David Rossi (Joe Mantegna) when the “Criminal Minds” Behavioral Analysis Unit travels to Santa Monica, Calif. on Wednesday, for a case in which the unsub is burning the bodies of homeless people and leaving them near the pier.

A clue leads Rossi to Skid Row, where he reconnects with his former Marine sergeant (guest star Meshach Taylor), who is down on his luck — and it is flashback time as “Criminal Minds” turns back the clock and takes us to when Rossi was a 19-year-old, very green Marine [Robert Dunne plays the young Rossi] stationed in Vietnam.

In this exclusive interview, Mantegna gives XfinityTV.com his insights into “The Fallen” episode, as well as shares his thoughts on an upcoming episode in which it appears as if “The Silencer” may have returned.

Is the fact that Rossi is an ex-Marine a new aspect of the role for you to play?

We have made reference to it. There was the episode with the Navy Seal, played by Max Martini, where he suffered this condition where he thought his own friends and family were the enemy. He actually comes into the BAU because he has expertise. I talked to him on the phone and I mentioned that I was a former Marine and made reference to boots on the ground. About four seasons ago, I was on the plane with Hotch (Thomas Gibson) and I told him how right out of the Marine Corps, I came into the FBI. For a long time, I have wanted to explore that avenue so the fact that we are finally able to do it, I am thrilled.
read more here