2- Laurie 
on Nov. 27 2007
3- Alcuin of York on Nov. 27 2007
Well Daniel, let me say that the whole field of advertising, commercials and marketing are best described by the word "propaganda". Think that's too strong? I know a bit about this - my brother has been in the business for over a third of a century, which might possibly be longer than you've lived. We live and drown in a sea of propaganda, whether political, commercial, or religious. We are so used to it that, like a fish in water, we don't even recognize its existence. I highly recommend Orwell, his "1984" as well as his other works. In any case, as reasonable persuasion, let's look at the former mottos you overpraise. "Be all you can be"? Pathetic that one has to join a group of people whose primary mission is to threaten or to deliver destruction, death and pain on orders to ‘be all they can be'. Why not doctoring or teaching or...well, the list is endless. "An Army of One"? I believe we call the guy who tries to go it alone, "AWOL" or "a loose canyon" or "a danger to the rest of the group". An army - any army throughout history - worked best when it acted in a disciplined manner in a group. Alexander's 50K men beat Darius' 2MM men because the former acted as a group, while the latter acted as many many armies of one. You're right that "Army Strong" is pathetic, though I guess I just don't get the gayness.
Finally, your idea. I think it's a great motto; a lot more honest motto; and a lot more effective than scenes of people scaling cliffs to prove they're macho. I seriously recommend you send it to whichever dept. is in charge of the recruitment-prop department. I think they would take it seriously.
And keep safe.
Alcuin
4- Tracey 
on Nov. 28 2007
I love it. It makes an impact, and I betcha anything that it would help with recruitment efforts. Seriously. Find a way to get it to the right peops.
----- "Bleh," said Toad.
5- Alcuin of York on Nov. 29 2007
In reflecting on this piece, I realized that your suggested motto and all those before it were essentially gimmicks. We constantly hear about 'supporting the troops' and calls to patriotism and such. Has nobody noticed that none of the mottos past, present or proposed appeals to patriotism? None say, "Your country needs you", or the old, "Uncle Sam needs you" or just plain "Serve your country". They're all about being a hero, being a reeeeal man, being part of a group, or getting money (for education or whatever else).
From a marketing standpoint, your suggested motto is good, but something is terribly wrong with the bigger picture, my friend.
Alcuin
6- ShanV on Nov. 29 2007
I don't know, Alcuin, I think maybe it's a more honest viewpoint to the reality of things - the whole ME focused hero, money getting stuff rather than the "I'm doing this for my country" thing. Which I think is what you're saying, but you refer to it as something being wrong with the big picture. That is the only part I disagree with, because I think that focus is okay. Not ideal, but actually better than the whole "I should do it because my country says so, and needs me" thing. THAT mind-set seems, to me, to be one more suseptible to propaganda. But, you know. I'm a generation ME (LOOK AT ME!) person, as is Jersey, (who is a great guy), whose idea is good because it appeals perfectly to said generation. Uh.. basicially what I'm trying to say it, maybe the different perspective on this is due partially to the generational differences of people involved? Perhaps. Just pondering.
----- "Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" -Douglas Adams
7- Alcuin of York on Nov. 29 2007
Good point Shannon. As I said, I think the motto is EFFECTIVE, but I don't think it augers well for the future. A people propelled by self-centered interests - whether machoism, groupyism, or just plain ol' money - probably do not have good chances for long-term survival as a group. At some point, the 'we' needs to prevail over the 'me', duty over advantage, sacrifice over appetite. Honestly, I think the country is on a downhill slide, and has been for a half-century, and I don't expect it to stop.
(and that's my more optimistic view!)
Alcuin
1- Caelanwolf
on Nov. 27 2007
I liked Be All You Can Be. An Army of One was OKAY I suppose, but the whole reason they changed it was because people were upset because of how conformist it was - HELLO SOLDIERS DON'T HAVE RIGHTS PEOPLE - but anyway... we are too PC in this country!
Don't make TOO much fun of good ole mister AWOL, he DID come back 3 whole hours after you guys deployed... be easy on him last I heard he was STILL in the mental ward... (I'm not kidding.)
But. I really like your idea, babe! Is a good one. I doubt they'd get away with the nazi memorabilia on a government commercial though. Otherwise it's pretty great sounding, send it in! *grins* And! I wanna can key by the way. Also! DID YOU AT LEAST GET PICTURES OF YOU WITH THE COMEDIANS?! I'm gonna be so mad if you didn't. I hate you.
pffa I know the answer is a big fat NO already. That's okay, as long as you get pictures during your promotion ceremony. You shall never be forgiven if you do not - consider this your last warning *giggles* (no seriously.)