Posted on Aug 16, 2014
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
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2006 to present

"Army Strong" is the recruiting slogan that is used currently by the United States Army. The composer of the song used in the Army Strong television commercials is Mark Isham.[3]

2001 to 2006
A humvee wrapped with the slogan in April 2006
"Army of One" was a relatively short-lived recruiting slogan. It replaced the popular "Be All You Can Be" and was replaced in 2006 by the new slogan "Army Strong".[4]The Army of One slogan was meant to mean as described Sun Tzu's Art of War in Chapter VI Weak Points and Strong, that you are only as strong as your weakest link,if the enlisted soldiers are not trained by the non commissioned officers,because the officer are not with troops and checkout what they need,a Army is very weak. The reason for the replacement is believed to be[by whom?] that the slogan "Army of One" is contrary to the idea of teamwork.[citation needed] It is unknown whether this slogan was taken directly from the poster for the 1976 Clint Eastwood film The Outlaw Josey Wales, which had "An Army of One" under a drawing of the Josey Wales character. The "One" in the slogan was an acronym, standing for Officers, Non-Commissioned, and Enlisted,[citation needed] the three types of Soldiers in the US Army.

1980 to 2001

Be All (That) You Can Be was the recruiting slogan of the United States Army for over twenty years.[5] This popular slogan was created by Earl Carter while at the advertising firm N. W. Ayer & Son. He was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Award for his efforts.[6] In his autobiography Soul of It All, Michael Bolton claims to have sung the jingle in the early 1980s.[7]

1971 to 1980

"Today's Army Wants to Join You" was a recruiting slogan from the 1971 Volunteer Army (Project VOLAR) campaign, which was introduced as the country prepared to transition to an all-volunteer military. When N. W. Ayer & Son, who were engaged by the US Army, believed they felt the army said "Today's Army is changing; we want to meet you half way", the firm came up with that slogan. General William Westmoreland asked "Do we have to ask it that way?" but agreed to the campaign. The slogan was replaced by "Join the People Who've Joined the Army" in 1973, which later evolved into "This is the Army."[8]

Slogan was written in 1971 by Ted Regan Jr., Executive Vice President and Executive Creative Director of N.W. Ayer, the Army's ad agency. Regan also wrote the follow up slogan, "Join the people who've joined the Army."

Circa 1950s–1971
"Look Sharp, Be Sharp, Go Army!"was a recruiting slogan in the 1950s and 1960s. The Big Picture,[disambiguation needed] public announcements on broadcast television, and highway roadway signs advertised the slogan during a time of a national draft of young men 18 to 34 years of age. The advantage of volunteering for Service, vice being drafted, was choosing the career field you wanted to serve and/or first unit or location of assignment.

World War I
"I Want YOU for US Army" featured on a poster of Uncle Sam painted by James Montgomery Flagg.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slogans_of_the_United_States_Army

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Mc1uQW8RI
Edited 5 y ago
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CSM Command Sergeant Major
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The Army's motto has always been This We'll Defend. However, there have been numerous recruiting slogans and advertisement to characterize our Army. What's troubling is that our Soldiers actually think that our Army's motto is Army Strong. NCOs please educate our force and teach our warriors what our Motto is and forever Will be

TWD!
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PFC Zanie Young
PFC Zanie Young
>1 y
You are right CSM (Join to see)! It is embroidered on my carpet in my truck. It's been that way since 1775, the motto I mean.
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LTC Substitute Teacher
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
I agree Army Strong was a slogan not the motto. Although the official ad campaign has just ended, it still being used as an unofficial motto. I like This We'll Defend, however, I always thought it was the Drill Sergeants Motto; as its on their badge. Ive very rarely seen it used in other contexts.
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SSG Accountant
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Army Strong
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SFC Founder
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My first enlistment was Be All You Can Be (1986) and my second enlistment it was Army Of One (2002).
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SFC Customer Care Representative
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It was "Army of One" when I signed enlisted at MEPS, but changed to "Army Strong" while I was in Basic.
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SGT Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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I joined under "Army of One" in 2005. It's definitely my least favorite in the slogan's history.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
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SGT (Join to see), well since you implied, I must second that one!
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LCpl Sr. Sales Associate
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I enlisted with the same motto that it has been for decades "The Few, The Proud, The Marines"
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
>1 y
I can live with that, it was during my time when I came in the Army. I would have to agree the best comercial of them all!
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
>1 y
LCpl (Join to see), you posted this twice! #2
:)
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SPC Richard White
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same here in 1989 Ca. Army National Guard
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
>1 y
Awesome to hear, miss the Soldiers from that era, great times.
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SPC Milton Milan
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20140615 183033
Army of One, 2006,
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
>1 y
Yea its a younger generation, but the future of the Army!
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1LT Nick Kidwell
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When I enlisted, it was the tail end of "Be all that you can be," and on the cusp of the "Army of One" garbage.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
>1 y
Lots of laughs , the Army of One never set in with me!
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CPT Company Commander (Hhc, Cyber Protection Brigade)
CPT (Join to see)
>1 y
Was both of them.  Was in basic in 2001.  It was be "All You can Be" half way and then "Army of One" for the other half.  I love the old commercial of the Soldier running in a desert through military vehicles with his top of and they say "Army of One"
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MSG Biran Colwell
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I had a few, Starting With "Today's Army Wants To Join You" (1971-1980). Then it was "Be All You Can Be" (1980-2001). And then "Army of one" (2001-2006). And ending with Army Strong " (2006-Present). I know you ask for one and it was the first one, but I was under all of these.
Thanks for the Question. And Thank you for your Service.
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