Sears licenses the Big Red One

[Entropy]

All I can say is, WTF? (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13276.html)

[reed11b]

Army still has further to go in order to match the mighty MC in the game of selling public image.
Reed
OOhh OOhh...A new Crest! One as cool as the globe and anchor! Could place it on the new class A's!:rolleyes:

[Ken White]

All I can say is, WTF? (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13276.html)is the answer to that question...

The inmates are in charge.

[AmericanPride]

I'm not all that surprised. The military in general needs to remake its image for a generation that is more interested in flash than substance.

[sullygoarmy]

Hell, since I can't wear my colored Big Red One patch on my ACUs, might as well wear it on a Sears hooded sweater!

Personally, I do not see the big deal. If it helps promote awareness of a) soldiers exist in this country, b) we are actually in a war and c) some of the money goes to help our wounded troops.

I'm a 1ID vet, wear the 1ID combat patch (subdued unfortunately) and do not see this as a big deal. People have been able to buy 1ID stuff from everywhere from cafepress.com to US Cav. At least Sears and the Pentagon have a say in where the money goes and some control over how it is used.

If you are going to be one, might as well be a Big Red One!

[Tom Odom]

I am reminded of Robin Williams as Adrian Cronaeur doing the gay fashion designer in Good Morining Vietnam


We've got a special man in the audience
today, Right now, it's Mr Leo.

He's a fashion consultant for the Army.
"Oh, thank you, Adrian.
I'm just very happy to be here.

I want to tell you something.
You know, this whole camouflage thing
for me doesn't work very well".

Why is that? "Well, because you go
in the jungle, I can't see you.

You know, it's like wearing
stripes and plaid. For me,
I want to do something different.

You know, you go in the jungle,
make a statement.
If you're going to fight, clash.

[jkm_101_fso]

I think Sears is going to be upset when they don't sell any. Seriously, who really cares? John Murtha, apparently.

[Hacksaw]

Air assault!!!

[Stan]

I think Sears is going to be upset when they don't sell any. Seriously, who really cares? John Murtha, apparently.

I somehow got my doubts about just how pop this Red One will be. I see literally 100s (of civilians) here in cammies, mostly RUBS on brand new HDs. This Sierra is popular, and what the heck, it sells.

I also don't see the harm, so long as we get some much needed funds for things like AAFES and other non-appropriated funded areas for the troops.

Maybe some discounts on Craftsman tools for Stan ?

[Uboat509]

While I certainly see why some people are upset, I have to say that this might (emphasis on might) be a good thing. For quite some time now I have been hearing calls to increase the size of the Armed Forces. What I don't hear is many practical ideas on how to do that. Many people seem to think that if we just get Congress to increase the authorized strength of the military that magically more recruits will appear to fill those new slots. That implies that we are now turning away significant numbers of qualified applicants because we do not now have the room for them. Unless I have been REALLY misinformed, that isn't happening. People just aren't lining up to enlist. I suspect that at least part of the reason is that people don't have any connection with the military anymore. How many civilians these days have not only never served but don't know anyone well who has ever served? Even within the military itself I meet a lot of guys who are proud to serve but do not want their children to serve. I think that the military is a big mystery to most civilians and this is (I hope) the first step to putting the military back on the radar, sort of the earliest part of a new PR campaign to make the military attractive to more people.

SFC W

[jkm_101_fso]

I somehow got my doubts about just how pop this Red One will be. I see literally 100s (of civilians) here in cammies, mostly RUBS on brand new HDs. This Sierra is popular, and what the heck, it sells.

What are RUBS, HDs and Sierras?

[Stan]

What are RUBS, HDs and Sierras?

Sorry about that. Even after 23 years and more than a decade since retiring, I have this abysmal need to use the phonetic alphabet, abbreviations and acronyms from great sources like Acronym Finder (http://www.acronymfinder.com/) and my favorite, the Urban Dictionary (http://www.urbandictionary.com/).

That said...
Rich Urban BikerS on Harley-Davidson motorcycles love this S**T.

How's that :)

[jkm_101_fso]

Ahhh. Gotcha. Makes sense.

[bismark17]

It sure seems to be an up hill battle with recruiting and retention. I recently saw a documentary on an Army recruiter somewhere in Louisiana and the battle he had generating acceptable recruits in small town USA. It shows him at a community meeting on college benefits and when his turn came almost the entire room fled.

[sullygoarmy]

It sure seems to be an up hill battle with recruiting and retention. I recently saw a documentary on an Army recruiter somewhere in Louisiana and the battle he had generating acceptable recruits in small town USA. It shows him at a community meeting on college benefits and when his turn came almost the entire room fled.


You are referring to the HBO Documentary, "The Recruiter" which was shown at the 2008 Sundance Film Festive. Great documentary which really captured both the difficulties recruiters have to overcome to get people into the military and the general mood of the civilian population (at least in this small town).

Here is the link:

http://www.hbo.com/docs/docuseries/therecruiter/index.html

Not sure if a rack of 1ID sweatshirts would help the recruiting effort:p

[reed11b]

Not sure if a rack of 1ID sweatshirts would help the recruiting effort

But it might, and it is a start. As I alluded to earlier, one of things the Marines do very well, is sell themselves to the public. Army, outside of Airborne, Rangers and SF, do not sell themselves nearly as well. Are the Marines really that much more super fantastic (and can SHOOT LAZER BEAMS...FROM THERE EYES!:p)? No, but they really know how to work PR. I see no harm in the endeavor and possible benefits. I think some of the negative backlash from us "old-timers" is resistance to change.
Reed

[sullygoarmy]

Reed,
I have no doubt about the Marines ability to conduct PR...from the better looking uniforms to the sharper commercials...they have literally had to sell themselves to survive over the years and became excellent at it. Personally, I say anything we can do that raises the image of the Army in the eyes of the general public is a great thing. If we can possibly help recruiting while raising money for the troops as well then those are just bennies to the initial intent.

[CR6]

Are the Marines really that much more super fantastic (and can SHOOT LAZER BEAMS...FROM THERE EYES!:p)?
Reed

When I was a guest student at the Command and Control Systems School at Quantico, my classmates assured me they indeed COULD shoot lazer beams from their eyes, but there was an ALMAR preventing them from demonstrating the skill to a non-Marine in CONUS so I couldn't verify it. They also made a big to-do about being able to slam revolving doors and put toothpaste back into tubes...

As for the recruiting aspect, I don't see it helping. My experience in recruiting led me to conclude that the majority of adveritising for the armed forces, be it print, radio, or television is just noise and clutter. Kids might think that Godsmack music in the Navy commericals is cool, or be impressed by the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team on TV, but that doesn't increase or decrease propensity to enlist. There are four broad categories of mindset when it comes to enlisting: 1.Will enlist/service chosen, 2.will enlist/service undecided, 3.undecided/uninformed, 4.won't enlist regardless of circumstances. When prospecting for leads you figure out what category a person is in fairly quickly. If you have a 1. or a 4. you move on quickly because no amount of discussion will change the mind of these folks, however you do leave the door open in case there is a change in their circumstances. The second and third category is where recruiters must really do their work, because advertising doesn't help these people decide to enlist. The quality of the relationship they build with the recruiter is what matters. USAREC has a cynical saying that "the first to contact is the first to contract", but there is some truth to it. The first recruiter that discusses options for joining the service with a young man or woman has an opportunity to form a relationship based on straight talk which can evolve into trust. The quality of the applicant/recruiter experience ulitmately drives enlistments IMO. 1ID sweatshirts from Sears won't.

[Ken White]

to get people interested in the Army. I do have a problem with the conflict between this law LINK (http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/10/771.html) and a couple of others designed to prevent misuse of and disrespect to the uniform and the people that wore or wear it.

I also strongly object to the Armed Forces stooping to pander; it's one thing to sponsor a Formula 1 or NASCAR racer, another to start trading off the heritage for infinitesimal gain.

Cheapening a brand never improved it. Slippery slopes and all that...

[sullygoarmy]

to get people interested in the Army. I do have a problem with the conflict between this law LINK (http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/10/771.html) and a couple of others designed to prevent misuse of and disrespect to the uniform and the people that wore or wear it.

I also strongly object to the Armed Forces stooping to pander; it's one thing to sponsor a Formula 1 or NASCAR racer, another to start trading off the heritage for infinitesimal gain.

Cheapening a brand never improved it. Slippery slopes and all that...

To me the NASCAR sponsoring (advertising) and the selling logos on clothes (advertising) are one in the same. No difference in my eyes. Just my $.02.

[Ken White]

this: LINK (http://www.c9hatillodelmar.com/images/LogoArmy.jpg)

and this: LINK (http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/2283/1stDiv.jpg)

The first is a a logo with no unit loyalty or combat pride connotation issues -- nor is it uniform insignia in the legal sense; the second carries both those burdens. I have no problem with the former; I don't even have a problem with the 1st ID patch being used. I would, OTOH, not like to see the 1st Mar Div, 82d, 101st or SF patches so used...

The legal problem will be the undoing of a IMO, necessary law.

[slapout9]

To me the NASCAR sponsoring (advertising) and the selling logos on clothes (advertising) are one in the same. No difference in my eyes. Just my $.02.

sully gotta disagree on that one. For years the 4th of July race at Daytona was known as the Medal of Honor Firecracker 400. This was happening during the Vietnam War! A big differance between NASCAR and Sears. But if it is done respectfulluy it may turn out to be a good idea. Besides they stole the basic idea from the SWJ when we were talking about having t-shirts made up with the SWJ logo on them.:eek:

[reed11b]

Besides they stole the basic idea from the SWJ when we were talking about having t-shirts made up with the SWJ logo on them.:eek:


We have a logo? :eek:

[jkm_101_fso]

Is it that pic in the upper left hand corner of a Humvee stuck in the river being observed by a local walking a donkey?

[slapout9]

jkm,reed Yes, the avatar of SWJED.

[CR6]

this: LINK (http://www.c9hatillodelmar.com/images/LogoArmy.jpg)

and this: LINK (http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/2283/1stDiv.jpg)

The first is a a logo with no unit loyalty or combat pride connotation issues -- nor is it uniform insignia in the legal sense; the second carries both those burdens. I have no problem with the former; I don't even have a problem with the 1st ID patch being used. I would, OTOH, not like to see the 1st Mar Div, 82d, 101st or SF patches so used...

The legal problem will be the undoing of a IMO, necessary law.

I agree the Army Strong (old Army of One) logo does not inspire the same loyalty and pride as a combat unit SSI, but it is now uniform insignia for at DA level (http://www.army.mil/institution/leaders/csa/).

[Ken White]

insignia. Theirs is okay in my estimation. The Army logo is less attractive and symbolic IMO and doesn't adopt well as an insignia.

I noticed a picture of Cody, the Vice, with that patch a few weeks ago. Whatever turns their crank.

I liked the old DA patch well enough (LINK) (http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Alpha/Headquarters%20Company,%20U.S.%20Army.htm) but tastes differ... ;)

[CR6]

[QUOTE=Ken White;56519] The Army logo is less attractive and symbolic IMO and doesn't adopt well as an insignia.

QUOTE]

Agreed. It looks like a brand label. The only thing missing is the registered trademark symbol embroidered into the cloth.

[bismark17]

That was an interesting movie. I really felt for the guy but saw a follow up on it and he is happy to be back in the mix with the 2nd Ranger Blt.

[Steve Blair]

I agree the Army Strong (old Army of One) logo does not inspire the same loyalty and pride as a combat unit SSI, but it is now uniform insignia for at DA level (http://www.army.mil/institution/leaders/csa/).

That's been showing up on recruiters around here for the past six+ months. I thought it was some sort of GI Joe spin-off marking at first....:eek:

[sullygoarmy]

That's been showing up on recruiters around here for the past six+ months. I thought it was some sort of GI Joe spin-off marking at first....:eek:

:D I guess in a way it is!

[Steve Blair]

this: LINK (http://www.c9hatillodelmar.com/images/LogoArmy.jpg)

and this: LINK (http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/2283/1stDiv.jpg)

The first is a a logo with no unit loyalty or combat pride connotation issues -- nor is it uniform insignia in the legal sense; the second carries both those burdens. I have no problem with the former; I don't even have a problem with the 1st ID patch being used. I would, OTOH, not like to see the 1st Mar Div, 82d, 101st or SF patches so used...

The legal problem will be the undoing of a IMO, necessary law.

The First ID already turned up in one of the Call of Duty games (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/callofdutybigredone/index.html?om_act=convert), anyhow....

[sullygoarmy]

The First ID already turned up in one of the Call of Duty games (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/callofdutybigredone/index.html?om_act=convert), anyhow....


Yeah my wife got me that game right after I left 1ID...actually is pretty cool playing a game with your unit in it!

Duty First!

[Steve Blair]

I worked with BRO guys at Fort Riley. An interesting bunch, and the division certainly has a good history to pull on for that sort of thing.