Is our military too concerned about enlisting soldiers under any circumstance?

Question

Ads for military recuitment have changed a lot since WWII. when i look at a poster of uncle sam asking me to be in the military, i feel a sense of pride and most of all duty for what I believe in. Today, when i see an army ad on TV i want to ride in a tank at 50 mph and blow things up. or drop from a helicpoter on a line (all scenes from the ad). A while ago, I saw an add for a first person shooter video game sponsered by the army that looked no different than counterstrike (they just changed the setting to look like iraq) I never felt a sense of duty or pride. Given the recent alligations of prisoner abuse, rape, assults, murders in Iraq and unethical behavior in other countries as well (especially Japan). Do you think the military is recruiting soldiers based on their desire for action and violence? do you think there is a connection between the recruiting practices and the resulting misconduct at war?

i wanted to point out that by saying i don't feel a sense of pride or duty when i see today's army/military ads i didn't mean that i am aloof towards my nation. i was simply saying that i don't feel the emotions of self-sacrifice that i feel when i look upon the old army posters of WW II because it is eclipsed for the desire of action, power and agression (and its obvious why when you see what the ad is comprised of) and i assume i am not the only person that feels this. My question was whether you thought some of hte practices and media the military uses to elist was good and whether it might be related to the current criminal issues the military is facing now. Of course i have only respect for my nation and my military.

also i am a little tired of the comments about the 'liberal media'. the fundamenal reason free-journalism exists is to examine society and see if there is any injustice occuring (as well as re-capping sports games) . thus when there is injustice one often criticizes the leaders that allow this injustice occur. ie: the government. if you read newspapers from anywhere in the world that has a free-press, you will see that those governments have to deal with criticism from the media. call it what you will.

Answer 1

The big problem is that 77% of the military-age population cannot qualify for military service.

As a result all the military services, law enforcement agencies, high-tech industries, etc are all competing for the same fairly small pool of people.

Answer 2

There may be some basis to your idea. But you have to also consider the reasons for the need to recruit more people. There is no draft. And worse yet, you have the influence of a disloyal media doing their best to make the country and it's military look bad at any cost. I'm sure there were some abuses during previous wars, but the press didn't trumpet every little thing that went wrong from the front page, and barely mention all the good that was accomplished. It was much more the other way around. Accomplishments were something to be proud of, and we reported infractions, but not as headline news. So naturally, the recruiting posters reflected the sensibilities of the times.

Another influence is probably the fact that for some of our soldiers, fighting the war IS more like playing a video game. There aren't thousands of foot-soldiers out getting blown away or hacked to pieces daily. Remember the Redcoats ? They had great pride and discipline. They all lined up in neat rows, and blasted away at an enemy they expected to fight the same way. What a proud way to die ! Of course, by today's standards, it would be 'What a DUMB way to die !'

If you think an enemy that feels no remorse over killing civilians on purpose is somehow equivalent to our taking great pains to avoid it, then I guess we are in deep trouble. The fact that we do get a fair number of knuckleheads who apparently aren't equipped with any common sense shouldn't be that much of a surprise. Look at the tone and language of a lot of the questions on HERE !

Answer 3

Dan
The ads for military recruiting must reflect the values and beliefs of the generational types that they are trying to communicate with. In the World War Two time, people were more inclined to serve in the military ( 1950's approximately 1of 5 people had or were currently serving, today that number is 1 of 272.) In today's marketplace, the average attention span is much shorter, on the average of 15 seconds. Therefore, the ads must show things in order to grab the attention of the ADHD youngsters that comprise the target audience. This generation is also technically savvy, so a video game makes sense. As for your last few sentences, I will reply in order. 1. The US Military is a cross-section of America, and there will be bad apples in every bunch. There are over a million soldiers in the US Army alone, so it is safe to assume that there will be less than desireable persons who manage to get in. 2. The US Military has a higher code of ethics than any other military on the planet, and every soldier undergoes a thorough background check in order to keep those with an uncontrollable urge for violence out. 3. Recruiters work their butts off every day, doing a job that is very difficult to say the least. They do their best to assure that every applicant is well suited for a life in the military service. Misconduct is investigated and dealt with by these organizations in a way that the average person will never encounter. The media loves to focus on negative aspects of everything, because that makes for good ratings. If your way of thinking were more prevelant, then we as a society would prosecute the car manufacturer rather than the hit and run driver. Grow up. But that is just my opinion.

Answer 4

Here's the short answer:

1) The Army gives huge contracts to civilian advertising agencies like Leo Burnett to attract people to join. Why? Because Johnny no-nuts isn't motivated to join on his own, especially when mommy and daddy are going to let him live at home until he's 40.

2) The quality of people going in is a reflection of the society, not the military. It is still a free choice. If the standards are dropping, it is because the eligible people are joining less often.

3) The standards are always dropping if you believe the media. In reality, they go up and down with the times. The quality of people joining today is much better than fifteen, twenty years ago.

4) America's Army is a marketing tool. Well, so what? The Army is honest about what it promotes. Compare that with MTV, CNN, and all the other agenda based crap in society that pretends to tell you news and give you information but really tells you what you should think. If I believed everything on TV, I would believe that nice people live in prisons, pot is wonderful and improves lives, guns are evil and bad people go away when guns are not around, and the Bush administration should handle things like the French, badly or not at all.

Answer 5

Well, so far on the News, they've been "caught" signing up a 1. retarded man (sweet guy, just didn't know what he was doing). 2. Autistic guy that wanted to help 3. Yound man with a brain disease (not cognizant) 4. a young man with a rather large tumor pressing on his brain.

Trust me, I understand the recruiters pain. After all, theres alot of trash out there and alot of its is on drugs and with a record an arms length long, but crap, these people are seizure ridden and would just be sent back from boot camp on taxpayers dollars, give me a break.

ps also, they were caught locally giving money to one guy in a "sting" so that he could buy some kind of "formula" to help him pass a drug test, however that works. The Military Recruiter was telling him on the tape what to buy and how to make it. Was hilarious if it hadn't been so sad. Also, in the case of the young autistic boy, his congressman had to step in because the military was forcing his family to send him to boot camp, no joke.

ps I am NOT a military hater, I served my time in the military, so don't go there, I did my time, thank you, how about you? And my oldest brother and 2nd cousin are both recruiters for the Navy.

Answer 6

I think the military is so desperate for soldiers right now that are taking anyone. I can't believe some of the stuff I'm hearing (from women) about the stuff they are pulling.

For example, today I had to go to police department to report a ups package stolen from my front porch. A woman and her daughter in her early twenties came in. Her National Guard boyfriend, who actually made it to E4, took off with her credit card. He and his E4 girlfriend are using it.

She called the Nat.Guard and talked to a Sgt. This is the response she got. "We can't tell you where he is. I guess you just don't understand the camaraderie of the military."

I told her that was bullshit, and to go down and see the guy's battalion commander.

Also, what tests are you referring to? The test to see if a potential soldier has a pulse. OH PLEASE. I seen too many soldiers who read and write on a first grade level.

Actually, I think the military has turned into one big social service agency.

Because I'm an educator, I do believe that I have been around long enough in the public schools to say that they are dumbing down education each school year.

I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but the military has some major problems. My father served in WW2, as well as 5 of my uncles. One of my uncles was with the 10th mountain division. I have heard them even comment about the state of the military.

Answer 7

Derek you are dumb***...fox, abc, and nbc all tend to lean to the LEFT...and "Christian" is a term anyone uses who believes in God...get the facts straight and quit your bitterness even if you did "serve" your country...there's plenty of guys that have seen a lot of sh** and don't have the attitude you have....and as far as the question: yes they have had to change some standards and proceedings, but just remember the military is made up of many people from all different backgrounds....there is going to be a lot of different results because of this....go figure...it's called "life".

Answer 8

Not just any circumstances, but they do want recruitment numbers to increase. I think its for young men and women between the ages of 18-25 to take it upon themselves to enlist, in the interest of preventing a recourse. We may have to lower the enlistment age to 16 or reinstate the draft to sure up numbers otherwise.

Answer 9

well, they really don't have to do much. a friend of mine had a choice...either overworked and underpaid teacher or join the military. with 1 daughter and a fiance with 3 other kids. the military was the only choice. job markets demand high education, but todays society makes it hard, so either join or starve is the choice they give. i feel it's basically sugar-coated in glam to hide the true nature.

Answer 10

This question really makes me sad, and some of the answers also. I'm a retired Marine with 30 years experiance fighting for this great country. Our current military is the brightest, smartest and best trained in history, If you see an add that you think looks like a video game, you are correct, Technology is where it;s at. As far as abuse, rape etc, blame it on the liberal press and politicians that don't want Americans to see the truth. I'm sorry for you not feeling a sense of pride, or duty. As for you my friend, I will say this to you, Thank God there are young kids out there that get it! Why Don't you just stay home. We don't need you in the military. I spent 30 years in the Marines fighting all over the world, and one thing I learned is to control my anger. But I will leave you with this: And what it was like to be there, hope you get it. This was written for Memorial Day:

A time of remembrance for me... of young faces I once knew a lifetime ago who are no longer here and of a lot that are. Faces of my beloved family who fought in WW2 and Korea who have crossed over to a place where no more internal battles are fought and no more sadness felt for those they once knew and lost. Places no one will ever remember, that is, no one but those who were there. Battles, large and small, in war and within ones-self, that do not rate a mention in history but definitely helped write it. Sounds of long ago but were only yesterday this morning. Survivors guilt but deep inside.... glad it wasn't me. Reading citations and asking myself," Did I really do that"? Looking for lost loves and lost youth knowing that you will find neither. Memories, some good...some bad. Touching the scars on my body from shrapnel and on my chest from a 7.62. Looking at that rifle that I brought home with me that put that bullet there and remembering the young Vietnamese that once held it that I killed almost at the same time as he shot me. Looking into a mirror and then at a picture on a wall and wondering where did that kid disappear to? Still feeling the pride that I felt then and feeling pride in those who wear, or have worn, the uniform of today ( Do you ever really take it off?) Looking at my sons face, my daughters faces, my grandchildren's faces, and whispering a prayer that they will never forget me or others like me who sacrificed so much so other people may seek freedom and have rights and when necessary, fight for this country and for their rights that so many of its citizens take for granted. Looking at the colors and feeling the pride for I know the price many youth have paid to keep it flying. Understanding, that one more year has passed and that I am closer to paying my dues to the one I cheated out of them three+ times. Not really caring about life or death personally anymore for after what I went through, saw, did, etc. what is really left but the waiting.... just like then. Yes, today I especially remember. Thanks for serving. Welcome home. God bless and see you in Fiddler's Green.

I Share this with you, with the hope you will feel some pride and sense of duty.for your country.
Semper Fi. My friend. MGSGT WOODALL USMC RETIRED.