America is militaristic?

Question

So, America is becoming a militaristic, evil empire. So, if television, and therefore even commercials, are a reflection of our culture, why are the Army ads using college money to entice potential recruits? Also, why are they practically begging parents to support their child in joining the military? The Army commercials that I see on television make me wince with embarrassment. If we were truly militaristic, the commercials would reflect that, and appeal to the warrior spirit of the American.

Yes, I am well aware that the military doesn't create its own ads. However, volunteer military or not, the very fact that the ad campaigns try to entice people to join, with the underlying assumption that joining the military is a bad thing, clearly shows that the American people are not militaristic. If the American people were militaristic, then the ad campaigns would use a much different angle.

Actually, I am in the military, and I do not think that America is militaristic as people like to claim. I think that the commercials (not just one line in the commercials) demonstrate this. What makes me embarassed about the commercials is how sheepish and apologetic they are. When the kid is telling his father that he's thinking about joining the military, the father says, "But it's the Army." These commercials are clearly implying that joining the military is seen as a negative thing by many Americans, and is trying to appeal to that particular audience.

Brad B: I agree with you about the media, but I'm trying to discuss why the American people are not warlike and militaristic as some people like to claim. I think that you misunderstood what I'm trying to convey. I am in the military and support our efforts in the GWOT. People like to say that we are militaristic, and the recruitment ads, in my opinion, demonstrate that this is not the case.

Do I think that our military recruitment ads make us militaristic? What? I'm saying that they reflect that we are NOT militaristic.

For the love of all that is holy, what is included in any of my statements that would imply that I hate the military (of which I am a member), or that I think that we are militaristic? The first sentence is sarcasm, however, even if it were poorly conveyed, everything else in my postspoints against that view. I am saying that the method in which army recruitment ads are depicted, shows that the American people are not militaristic, or else the ads would likely try to appeal to such values. I am trying to oppose the belief, that some people hold, that the United States is a warlike nation. If it were, the recruitment strategies would not have to pander to parents and bribes of college money. Whether you agree with my statement or not, what about it makes you think that I'm anti-military in any way whatsoever? I AM SAYING THAT DESPITE WHAT SOME PEOPLE CLAIM, THE UNITED STATES IS NOT (that's the opposite of is btw) A WARLIKE NATION!!!

Answer 1

You are obviously using the term "militaristic" as if it were negative. No calling could be higher than service in the United States military.

Answer 2

Is America militaristic? And if America is militaristic have it more recently become that way? Unlike other countries America has a all volunteer military. Other countries all over the world have forced military service. Due to the fact that it is an all volunteer military they air TV commercials to help with recruiting. While contrary to some peoples opinion the army doesn't come up with their own commercials. They have a New York ad company that comes up with everything. So your complaint should really be launched against them.

Answer 3

I don't see your point. Look at the whole commercial, not just one line. Also you have totally neglected the thought that since we are a patriotic society (for the most part) and we do have a warrior spirit, that these themes do not have to be explicit in the advertising, they are an underlying theme. "Army Strong" definitely appeals to that spirit.
If the commercials were totally geared towards war and violence you would complain that they do not appeal to the more "civilized." If you know that your target audience is patriotic and has the desire to serve, you then will try and show other benefits outside and in addition to the pride or service. Why tell them what they already know, why try and stir up what is already there.
The fact that college funds are used is a indicator as to the type of soldier the army is after. Those who are intelligent, future oriented, dedicated, and will serve with integrity.
You shouldn't be embarrassed, doubt your any part of the military. If your embarrassed by US military on the TV it should be at the portrayal of the military by the media. You should be embarrassed at how little of the good news makes it past the editing room - that is a real source of embarrassment. This seems more like a weak attempt to subvert our armed forces.

Answer 4

Your question does not make sense. If advertisements for military recruiting make you think we are 'militaristic' - do beer commercials make you think that we are all alcoholics?

Does a cat food commercial mean that everybody owns cats?

Does a political campaign advertisement mean that everybody agrees with that political statement?

Answer 5

Because the military is ALL volunteer. You do not get something for nothing. So for the military to get high quality recruits then they need to entice them with high quality benefits. Even in the late nineteenth century when Americans were uber-patriotic the military recruiting adds stressed travel "join the Navy and see the world" and adventure "real men join the marines" rather than war and fighting.

Answer 6

The problem goes farther than that. The question is why America is becoming a militaristic? I belive that to protect the security of Israel, US is pulled into alot of conflicts in the world.

The Israeli lobby in Washington D.C. affects strongly the US policy. Because of the Israeli lobby, the United States has willingly set aside its own security and that of many of its allies in order to advance the interests of Israel.

Answer 7

It's more so a matter of opinion. The united states has the most technologically speaking superior military. Do we favor war over diplomacy? I don't have the answer.

Answer 8

No.

The army is a volunteer army. The army assisted me to received my college degree without going into deep debt in student loans.

Why do you hate the army?

Answer 9

So, what is your question?