About damn time! They started this crap in my last year in and I can't remember anyone ever liking the idea. Let's advertise independence as bait and then stress unity to our recruits until their ears bleed. Brilliant!

Even the gay Army of One single stared logo looked like it spawned from G.I. Joe. Not nearly as aggressive as what the Army truly is and should be. That’s one thing the Marines have had on lock since day one. Their Eagle, Globe and Anchor has always carried their advertising campaign effectively and with just the right amount of gusto.


http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f...25-1403942.php

 

Pretty cool, huh?

 

I agree, every time I got smoked in basic after the DI screamed "where's your battle buddy private?!?!?!" I wanted to say "**** that, I'm an Army of One." It's about time, I hate that motto.

I really wish the Army would make me a 4 star already so I can get some **** together and put it how it should be. I've got plans that'd make General Schoomaker **** in his pants.

 

military n00b question. ^^Means air, land, and sea, right? cause the Marines are the only armed force which operates in all three correct?

 

That campaign was a load of pablum

 

Not really, the Army has helos, airborne and some fixed wing aircraft. They've got some of the best amphibious warfare fighters in the world (scuba certified Special Forces) and as far as the land department, they pretty much run that.

 

huh? I thought the Marines were the only ones who operated in all three, guess I was wrong.

 

Being a civie that "Army of One" stuff never really clicked with me. I couldn't understand how that could be the slogan of a organization that depended so heavily on teamwork. Never made sense really.

I guess in today's world and on today's battlefield you had better be able to operate in every environment possible to be completely successful, right guys?

 

Trust me. If the USMC didn't advertise, they'd still be just fine.

The Marine Corps sells itself. Kids who enlist (or commission) in the Corps have already sold themselves. In my opinion, the only real need for Marine Recruiters is to just do the paperwork and run background checks.

 

....but don't get me wrong. The Army sells itself, too. It's just not as pronounced because we're so large that we truly have to SELL many kids on enlisting.

We have quite a few 'walk-ins' who've already convinced themselves to join never having spoken to a recruiter nor played the video game.

 

Question for you Pat...

Do you guys really get alot of kids that come in and had played the video game and that is why they are there? Does the game really do that much for the marketing of the army?

Just wondering cause I have played the game....It's a damn good game for free!

 

In other news, the Marines change their slogan as well:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33152

 

From my vantage point it's a little hard to say. When we get leads that filter down (I'm assuming that the game is one source) they are just coded as 'internet leads'. When the recruiter talks to them, the kid may bring it up, but I'm kinda doubtful.

I could ask.

Further, my company is going to put together a LAN party in the next few months. Now that is something that would be much more tangible for us.

Essentially the advertising that the Army does (not local recruiting, but the TV ads, the Army game, and multi-million dollar team sponsorship) is supposed to generate something for the Army as a whole. From my perspective, sponsoring a rodeo team may be great for the west and s. west, but it does nothing for me. The game may be the catalylist that pushes someone to actually ask somebody questions, so it's good from that standpoint, but is nearly impossible to gauge the results (validate itself.)

I don't know of one single contract we've written where the applicant stated that it was because of the game.

FWIW, I hope our NASCAR sponsorship goes the way of Mr. Leo Burnett.