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

SGM James Pepple

Posted 11 y ago

Fort Drum NY in the 80's a new Army Recruitment Commercial Soldiers were being selected to be filmed in "BE ALL YOU CAN BE" I tried to get some of the members in my Platoon to go to the photo shoot so they would possibly be selected. After several days went by our 1SG again requested additional Soldiers to be interviewed, photographed and if selected a part in the new Army Recruitment commercial "BE ALL YOU CAN BE" there were no volunteers even with my continued coaxing, so I raised my hand never expecting to be selected as I was older. 1SG instructed me where to report, upon arrival some Soldiers were asked to leave an I made it to the interview. At the interview I was asked many questions about my MOS 31B and position Team Leader, I was then asked is I was camera shy "no" so I was asked to read a line while turning in to face the camera. The turning in was no problem but I messed up what I was suppose to say, then I got to laughing and could not stop. I thought my movie career was over but much to my surprise I was asked to have my photo taken to see if I was photogenic. Them they said I was going to be in a specific part because of my grin and as an extra if others could not be there when they were suppose to be, so that was my movie career....

(2)

Comment

(0)

2LT (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

Army: Special Forces Commercial

The life of a sniper. Best ARMY commercial ever!

I always liked this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2BKyttIRlg
Interesting to see the Army recruiting straight to Special Forces, but I guess you know what they say about 18X contracts.

(2)

Comment

(0)

CPT (Join to see)

>1 y

I have always liked this one from 2008.
http://youtu.be/JDXK1dFY_Pc

(1)

(0)

SFC Stephen Carden

Posted >1 y ago

Definitely not the guy running across the desert by himself, out of uniform, and with his ID tags flapping in the breeze! An Army of One? really? That goes against everything I have ever been taught in the Army. We do everything as a team, and I hope the guy who came up with that ad campaign was fired.

I am old enough to remember the 4-service commercial: "Pick a service, pick a challenge, set yourself apart! Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines! If you want a great place, it's a great place..... to start!" That was a great commercial and it was made even better when Jack (Bill Murray) sang it in the movie Stripes.

(2)

Comment

(0)

CH (MAJ) (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

In 2007, I was forced to watch the Super Bowl through AFN since I was in Afghanistan. The best commercial was watching the 5th Corps CSM reading a teleprompter encouraging soldiers to re-enlist. It was terrible, even his wife didn't look like she wanted to be in the shot.

(2)

Comment

(0)

TSgt Scott Hurley

Posted 12 y ago

As far as I am concerned. The Marine Corps has had the BEST commercials out there. They keep simple and to the point. I may be a traitor in that regard since I joined the AF, but that is my opinion. The other branches can not hold a candle to the Marines.

(2)

Comment

(0)

SFC (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

Any commercial capitalizing (because they do) on the images of deployed Soldiers coming home and hugging their young children in uniform always choke me up. Also, as cheesy as it is for me to say, the Army Strong Theme always gives me chills.

(2)

Comment

(0)

SPC (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

They played this on a loop at airborne and my eyes cried red tears the entire time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ6QX-OsWUc

AIRBORNE

old school Airborne recruiting video.

(2)

Comment

(0)

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas

Posted 12 y ago

Quick overview of some of the Air Force hardware. These types of videos make me proud to be in the Air Force:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQyogsGi-VA

USAF Motivation Devour

A few clips of various AirForce hardware bringing the pain.

(2)

Comment

(0)

PFC Eric Minchey

Posted 12 y ago

Join the Military — Recruiting commercial for the military from the video Game: Grand Theft Auto San Andreas .

GTA SA - Commercial - Military

Join the Military — Recruiting commercial for the military with the usual GTA touch.

(2)

Comment

(0)

Col (Join to see)

12 y

Thanks for posting PFC Minchey, you bring up a great idea for a sub-category of commercial, the spoof, parody or comedy variation of military commercials... I'm certain there are plenty of them out there; it's certainly interesting to see the public's perception in the comedic versions. So, if anyone has anything that may fit this category, please feel free to share with us all...Thanks again for sharing!

(0)