Army recruitment ads urge parents to help children "find their strength." Hopefully they won't "find" them returned in body bags.
Surely you've seen those army commercials that have been airing for about six months now? Are you as sickened as I am? Well, I don't know about you, but they represent yet another shining example of some things that really BURN MY ASS!!…
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176 - elvira Black
MCH:
Your comment went right over my 'lil' ol' head, but it's cool...
sr: Yes, it was a complement! Hope the fish are biting!
177 - Dave Nalle
It's hard to imagine MCH going over anyone's head.
Dave
178 - Zanatos
I just retired from the Air Force in February after 20 years, four months and three days of service. I deployed to the Middle East six times since 1991, and it was scary. But I also earned three college degrees and was able to support my family.
Today, I am a government contractor, making almost $80K per year, and I get another $20K plus health insurance from my military retirement. And I am only 39 years old.
The military was definitely a good gig for me. But everyone has to make his or her own decision. Everything in life is a risk.
God bless, and best of luck to all those who continue to serve.
179 - Elvira Black
Zanatos:
That's awesome--I'm so glad everything worked out so well for you!
180 - sr
The Lady of Song is back. Pray all is well for you and BG. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ELVIRA. sr
181 - Elvira Black
sr:
So good to see you! I hope all is well, my friend.
182 - Ron Pulliam
The ad featuring the father talking to his son and telling the son, "Back there, you did two things you've never done before: You looked me in the eye and you shook my hand."
This is a blatant and manipulative ad trying to tell young folks their parents will FINALLY find some worth in them if they join the Army.
The Army is a fine institution. It's sad it has to stoop to such bottom-scraping depths to recruit.
IF these traits are so important to that father, my question is: Why in hell did you NOT teach your son to approach life in that manner? Where were you? What were you doing AS A MAN to set any kind of manly examples for your son?
WHY DID THE ARMY HAVE TO DO IT FOR YOU?
Rant over. I'm a 23 1/2-year veteran of the U.S. Navy (retired) and proud of my service and the U.S. armed forces.
But I hate STUPID advertising.
183 - Elvira Black
Dear Ron:
Many thanks for replying to this old chestnut of an article...yes, these ads are, like many ads for many :"products," rather blatant in their approach. In a way, I suppose the armed forces is now being sold as a "product" as well, with implied benefits and no mention of the real dangers involved in going to war. In point of fact, these ads don't really deal with war at all.
Another disturbing series of ads I've since seen takes a slightly different approach. Here, the would be recruit talks eagerly to his or her parent, anxiety and the need for approval in his/her almost desperate eyes. With all the impetuousnous of youth, they beseech mom or pop to listen to their argument for joining up--again, emphasizing the "benefits" and "opportunities" available to them.
In this scenario, the parent is not seen--instead, the viewer is put in the "place" of the parent via the camera, which wobbles back and forth uneasily, focusing now on the kid's eager face asking the parent/viewer "What do you think?"; now on the lawn chair or the basketball hoop in the yard. If memory serves, the ad ends with the line:
"Your turn."
It is good to hear from a vet who knows a thing or two about what it means to serve, and I can't blame you for feeling disgusted with this approach. But I can't begin to imagine who would be desperate or foolhardy enough to join up at this point for service in Iraq--especially when terms are being extended. Seems to me like a neverending nightmare come true, when brave soldiers think they have done their duty, only to be told that they must return to that unimaginable hell once again.
I suppose that the armed forces can certainly instill a level of discipline and self-respect in young folks who are searching for direction, but the price for this "benefit" seems much too high at this point.
Again, thanks so much for your comment.
184 - mczewd
I was in the army for 10 years and my experience was nothing like you describe. It's unfortunate that yours was.