[Guest_KorrinaC_*]

I really have a problem with those Australian Navy ads that are on TV at the moment (I'm in Sydney). They give the impression that all you do in the Navy is: have fun with mates, go on cool holidays in SE Asia, do adventure sports, learn team work skills and play with technical equipment. Completely absent from the ads is the reality that members of the Navy must train in techniques and the use of weapons aimed at killing/harming other people.
I think the ads are devious and deceitful. The Navy/Army/Air Force aren't adventure/holiday clubs - they are defence forces that engage in human warfare - i.e. killing in mass numbers.

I really think they shouldn't be allowed to advertise themselves in this way. It would be like a prison advertising itself as an education and training centre. Just because education and training may go on there doesn't mean that that is the actual purpose of the place.

What do all think?

[ratbags]

I agree with what you say but I will also add that most people will by now realise what the armed forces are all about, they are merely attempting to entice more people to join up and like most recruitment drives regardless of what it is the more they can make it look exciting the more interest you will encourage. That being said my only ask is that they do actually enable people to do the things that they outline in their ads, no point in offering the carrot of travel, monetary gain, fun etc if you have to be in the service for 10 years and be an officer to get it.

[Sweet like a lem...]

Sorry I don't get it. I don't think anybody who signs up to the Navy thinks they are signing up to summer camp. It is part the Armed Forces and National Defence after all. But I am sure there are a lot of positive experiences too.

[Guest_KorrinaC_*]

I agree that I, in my 30's, know better. But I didn't necessarily know better when I was around 18. I was really looking for adventure and independence at that age and actually started applying for the Navy - I did some tests and booked for an interview. It was only at the last second that I pulled myself up.
I think the ads are really trying to appeal to young people in their late teens, early/mid 20s - the people most likely to be enticed by those ads.

[Guest_KorrinaC_*]

Sorry I don't get it. I don't think anybody who signs up to the Navy thinks they are signing up to summer camp. It is part the Armed Forces and National Defence after all. But I am sure there are a lot of positive experiences too.

I think that that is the impression the ads are trying to give. I'm sure there are positive experiences too - but its not all fun and games - which is the entire content of the ads.

[Guest_*Alicia*_*]

they are defence forces that engage in human warfare - i.e. killing in mass numbers.

That's a very incorrect statement about the ADF.

I don't know about the Navy but DH loves that his job allows him to travel. He's an NCO (so not an officer), has been in for 7 years and has been to 8 different countries, only one had a war going on (Iraq). He plays team sports on work time, works out at the gym every day and has social events weekly at work. There are challenges of course, they work very hard but they also play hard on work time. DHs opinion is that while the defencejobs ads can be a bit wanky they are a pretty accurate depiction of a military life in many respects.

[NotTheSame]

That's a very incorrect statement about the ADF.

I'd have to agree. It might have been the case decades ago with the World Wars etc. but not today.

[Guest_KorrinaC_*]

That's a very incorrect statement about the ADF.

I don't know about the Navy but DH loves that his job allows him to travel. He's an NCO (so not an officer), has been in for 7 years and has been to 8 different countries, only one had a war going on (Iraq). He plays team sports on work time, works out at the gym every day and has social events weekly at work. There are challenges of course, they work very hard but they also play hard on work time. DHs opinion is that while the defencejobs ads can be a bit wanky they are a pretty accurate depiction of a military life in many respects.

Sorry, I don't mean to Navy bash. My brother was in the Army for many years and it was a very positive experience for him. Mostly it was fun for him, but that doesn't negate the very real truth that the defence forces do exist for the purpose of engaging in human warfare. Why else were they created? Yes, the defence forces help/save people too, but that is not the entire reality.

If they are going to advertise themselves, like any other 'product' on the market, then shouldn't they have a responsibility to disclose the whole truth? i.e "You will be required to be sent to war if/when required..." or whatever?

ETA: as for no killing at all - what of Iraq, Afghanistan? Maybe, you're right that for Australians, at the moment, numbers aren't so 'mass'. But people still die, and still have to shoot (whatever) at other people - that too is a part of the job description.

This post has been edited by KorrinaC: 06/02/2010, 09:42 AM

[seepi]

I think everyone knows that Defence Forces have to go to war.

I think the ads are fine. If someone genuinely thought they were signing up for just fun and games, they would soon work it out once they actually rang up to talk to someone.

[ratbags]

One of my bigger regrets in life was not going through with my application to train as a medic in the army, I think back and realise that my personality would have been so suited to this type of career.

Our 9 year old wants to become a pilot in the airforce, it is something that we would encourage him to follow if this continues to be his passion.

If they are going to advertise themselves, like any other 'product' on the market, then shouldn't they have a responsibility to disclose the whole truth? i.e "You will be required to be sent to war if/when required..." or whatever?

I guess though they are presuming that people would know that Armed Defence Force would mean 'potential' for war, some people may be of the opinion that the armed services just want foot soldiers to shoot and maime and through their advertising they are showing there is more to army/airforce/navy life than the neccesity inflict suffering. I mean lets face it the war in Iraq has left alot to be desired and the armed forces need to do PR to show society that they are not the bad guys.


This post has been edited by ratbags: 06/02/2010, 09:51 AM