illgen@hq.af.mil (Keneth..Illgen) (12/06/89)
From: illgen@hq.af.mil (Keneth..Illgen) In article <11922@cbnews.ATT.COM> terryr@ogccse.ogc.edu (Terry Rooker) writes: > >Now as I see ads and commercials I see more military themes. They >run the range from dogs marching around a track to a sailor returning >home and going to McDonalds. The trend, which I had thought would have peaked shortly after 'Top Gun' came out, hasn't. Without dwelling on the reasons why (afterall, this isn't alt.yea.reagan) this country has grown to feel proud of itself and the military plays a big part in that. With this feeling and the desire of advertising agencies to attach these symbols to a guy like Tom Cruise it only makes sense that they use the military to target audiences. >This is an important consideration. It resides in the intangibles >of the military. When the society you are sworn to protect is >constantly dumping on you it causes problems. In the 1970's the >all-volunterr military had problems meeting their recruiting >quotas, much less getting high quality recruits. The obvious affect >on military readiness should be obvious. The main affect is a >loss of pride. Through the early 80's, many military personnel >didn't want to wear uniforms off base. I spent 1981 in the Air Force in the states (Biloxi - where the most popular bumpersticker was 'Beautify Biloxi- Run Over an Airman'). I felt very apprehensive about being anywhere in uniform. I then went to Europe for six years. Over there it was a complete turn-around. For the first three years we were constantly cautioned about our activities downtown. And not just because of terrorism concerns. A good number of the European people just plain did not like the American military. After a few years the turnaround started to take place. I don't think public opinion changed all that much. More people who felt secure having the Americans there started to become vocal about their feelings. Now, after nine years, I feel comfortable anywhere at anytime being in uniform. I think society feels better about the role of the military. There are still times when I run into some puke who thinks we're out to kill his family but I take those in stride. I just hope these feelings keep up. With the way we're being force fed Gorbomania I worry that the natural reaction may be to turn on the military.