Need opinions re military - Page 2

Called twice and sent two emails. Over eight months later the recruiter calls, asks if I can come down in the next two or three days. Says I must not want it that badly when I say I can't take off work on such short notice. Combined with some exciting things going on in my life at that time, I never went.

U.S. Army retiree here of 22 years in the infantry who also served as an exchange officer in the Australian Army in the mid-nineties. While far removed from the age group these ads are targeted to, I believe I can reasonably relate as my son enlisted only 4 years ago in the U.S. Army and is serving in Iraq at the moment with the 82nd Airborne.

The Australian ad is more hip (note the music) and informal, characteristic of the more egalitarian aspect of the Australian Army and their society. It is definitely less "warry" than the American ad, emphasizing aid to civil authorities rather than combat, which is barely depicted. The point made above about mateship is well taken, and the depiction of footy is to me, looking from the outside, iconic for appealing to Australians.

The American one is clearly more weighty and focused more on individual qualities expected of a soldier. It plays heavily on strength, consistent with "Army strong." It would appeal to an individual who hopes to profit from the character-building that military service offers. It is serious, as should be the decision to enter military service. It is much more warry.

While not wanting to seem to minimize the Australian contribution to recent/current operations, the American ad is more with the seriousness of the times for the U.S. Army.

It would be better to compare ads of similar length.
Edited by Droog - 9/23/11 at 10:37am

For something different. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjAXJaFydwM

A little off-topic, but when I was in high school the main ADF recruitment campaign ad featured a Leopard tank fording a swampy river and coming up covered in sludge and swamp weeds and ... a maron/yabby (like a small fresh water lobster). The tank driver popped his hatch to see the commander holding the marron and said: 'look what Davo's done'. This phrase would go on to haunt any kid named David for several years. I wish I could find it on youtube.

But here is a recruiting ad very close to my own experience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qW8-u_ZKBQ

22, British, want to do military service but not sure whether to go for army or navy:

Aussie one looked like an advert for a TV show, and would make me want to sign up more than the American one which was more like a wrestler's intro video, but neither would make me want to sign up because I'd rather know what I would actually be doing than just being told "this will make you strong" or "look what we've done, you won't be doing this but people in the Australian Army have done it before." The American one was too heavy on ideas and themes rather than actual messages and if anything would put me off - one focussing on the duty and service would appeal to me more.

I'd join as an officer, I think its easier (less bureaucracy and lower requirements) to join as a private soldier and also that these adverts are aimed at potential private soldiers who might join without thinking about it as much. I would definitely say they're both not aimed at me anyway.

I wouldn't say its stupid but Australians and their accent don't usually give me the professional, disciplined image I think of when I think of the British or American armies - to an Australian that wouldn't matter though.

Holy shit, the last shot in that is ridiculous -- it looks like a video game intro.

Meanwhile, the Russian Military seems to be selling itself with a strange mixture of romance and techno club dance partying...? (I don't speak Russian but it's hard to imagine the dialogue changes the flavour much)