“Platoon.” “Full Metal Jacket.” “Hamburger Hill.” The decade featured some of the grittiest look at military service, often featuring U.S. soldiers behaving badly.

Then Tom Cruise declared a need for speed.

Cruise’s “Top Gun” celebrates its 30th anniversary today. The 1986 film did more than cement his superstar status. The film flashed impossibly cocky pilots who made Naval Aviation cool. They got the girls, rocked the Karaoke bar and risked their lives for their country.

Reagan’s America got its movie close-up. And the U.S Military’s image enjoyed an overdue Hollywood spit shine. Real-life veterans couldn’t help but take notice. They still salute the movie all these years later.