Posted on Nov 16, 2013

Most memorable recruiting "ads" and "military commercials"?

36K

144

Throughout the years there have been some absolutely awesome military advertisements (print, magazine/newspaper, billboard, theater, television, radio, online, etc.); so, what is that particular one that you remember most? Is/was there an ad that impacted your view of the military or desire to serve (or continue to serve)? In order to maintain a fun and interesting discussion thread, selections need not be necessarily modern or even officially service sponsored; although, it would be interesting to see how the official service-sponsored versions has influenced us all. Also, if there was a military program (drag race, NASCAR, Armed Forces sports, color guard/honor guard/ceremonial detail/drill team, community support, parade, military band, "wrapped" vehicle(s), Blue Angels, Tops in Blue, sponsored recruiting events, etc.) or military event that was highly visible to the public, what impact did this have on your image of the military? This should be an interesting and exciting discussion, so fasten your seatbelts and let's get the conversation rolling; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Posted in these groups: Advertising Recruiting logo

Recruiting I want you

Retention

Marketing

Edited >1 y ago

Posted 12 y ago

Follow this discussion

Responses: 55

Show most popular responses

MAJ Jon Edmonson

Posted 11 y ago

Actually the tagline was "We do more before 0900 in the morning than most people do in a whole day"

(1)

Comment

(0)

MAJ Matthew Arnold

Posted 11 y ago

Top Gun was the best commercial the Navy ever had.

(1)

Comment

(0)

SGM James Pepple

11 y

Yes my neighbor was in that film he was a Naval Pilot.

(0)

SFC (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

Anything is better than Army of One.... I can't understand that no one thought that we wouldn't of been made fun of by everyone else for that.

(1)

Comment

(0)

SGM James Pepple

11 y

I loved "BE ALL YOU CAN BE" it mimicked the BO KNOW DO Leadership principle of the Army I thought it motivated in several ways. One as a recruitment tool, Second Duty, Honor, Country, Third instills in Soldiers to achieve the highest leadership position possible, Forth “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away," and I have the tee shirt to prove it...

(1)

(0)

SFC (Join to see)

11 y

SGM James Pepple

I do remember be all you can be and no that you mention it, you are correct it did mimic the be, know, do Leadership concept.

(0)

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA

Posted 11 y ago

Kevin Crawley, M1 Tanker....Be all that you can be, in the Army!
oohhrraahh!

(1)

Comment

(0)

1SG (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

Sir, I remember this nearly two hour long navy commercial from 1986 starring Tom Cruise and friends. Almost made me enlist.

(1)

Comment

(0)

SFC Josh Jackson

Posted 11 y ago

WKUK - Joining The Army

From Season 2 Episode 3 whitestkids.com

I used to show this to my recruits, just for laughs.

(1)

Comment

(0)

LTC Stephen C.

Edited 11 y ago

Posted 11 y ago

Col (Join to see), how could this have been omitted? Without question, this is the most recognizable image of Uncle Sam and of the most popular recruiting posters in U.S. history. Here's the story.
"Originally published as the cover for the July 6, 1916, issue of Leslie's Weekly with the title "What Are You Doing for Preparedness?" this portrait of "Uncle Sam" went on to become--according to its creator, James Montgomery Flagg--"the most famous poster in the world." Over four million copies were printed between 1917 and 1918, as the United States entered World War I and began sending troops and matériel into war zones.
Because of its overwhelming popularity, the image was later adapted for use in World War II. Upon presenting President Franklin Delano Roosevelt a copy of the poster, Flagg remarked that HE HAD BEEN HIS OWN MODEL FOR UNCLE SAM to save the modeling fee. Roosevelt was impressed and replied: "I congratulate you on your resourcefulness in saving model hire. Your method suggests Yankee forebears." - Library of Congress

As is turns out, MAJ Keith Davis beat me to the punch and did mention this poster!

(1)

Comment

(0)

LTC Stephen C.

11 y

1LT L S, consider this a continuation of our comments on the discussion entitled "'God and Country' recruiting poster?" Look above and read the history of the poster and the illustrator. Extraordinary! I had a huge copy of this poster framed and hung on the wall in my room years before I ever entered the service. James Montgomery Flagg declared it to be "the most famous poster in the world." I agree.

(0)

SFC Mark Merino

Posted 11 y ago

Van Halen - Dreams (Blue Angels)

Dreams by Van Halen (Blue Angels Version) Van Halen is copyright Interscope Records, a record label owned by Universal Music Group. Original video footage is...

The unofficial recruiting video for the Navy by Van Hagar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsXCs41DkWs

(1)

Comment

(0)

1SG (Join to see)

11 y

Gotta hand it to the Navy Recuriting Videos for the best ever. Plus the Movie "Top Gun" was a top recruiting tool all of its own. My Army continues to struggle with a Recruiting mottosince they kicked "Be All You Can Be" to the can. I can't believe that "Army Strong" is still the current Army Motto! Bring back, "Be all You Can Be!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imEhj_DVK-4

(3)

(0)