Going from black and white to color over time, the military has sent the message of recruitment to its ranks by many posters. Here are a few.
How the Continental Army was recruited in 1776. National Park Service.
THE Second Continental Congress convened in the Pennsylvania State House at Philadelphia on May 10, 1775. Burdened by wartime realities and the need to prepare a unified defense, it created a Continental Army, unanimously elected George Washington as commander in chief, appointed other generals, and tackled problems of military finance and supply. Yet, despite these warlike actions, many Delegates still hoped for a peaceful reconciliation.
“”Continental Army recruiting poster. (Engraving, c. 1776, by an unknown artist, Library of Congress.)”
Image courtesy of http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/declaration/introa.htm.
Text of the Continental Army poster courtesy of Valley Forge Historical Society.
TO ALL BRAVE, HEALTHY, ABLE BODIED, AND WELL DISPOSED YOUNG MEN,
IN THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD,
WHO HAVE ANY INCLINATION TO JOIN THE TROOPS,
NOW RAISING UNDER GENERAL WASHINGTON
FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE LIBERTIES
AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES,
AGAINST THE HOSTILE DESIGNS OF FOREIGN ENEMIES,
TAKE NOTICE,
THAT, (days of the week; place, who) COUNTY, ATTENDANCE WILL BE GIVEN BY (who) WITH HIS MUSIC AND RECRUITING PARTY OF (regiment) COMPANY IN (battallion) OF THE 11TH REGIMENT INFANTRY, COMMANDED BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL AARON OGDEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING THE ENROLLMENT OF SUCH YOUTH OF SPIRIT, AS MAY BE WILLING TO ENTER INTO THIS HONOURABLE SERVICE. THE ENCOURAGEMENT AT THIS TIME, TO ENLIST, IS TRULY LIBERAL AND GENEROUS, NAMELY A BOUNTY OF TWELVE DOLLARS, AN ANNUAL AND FULLY SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF GOOD AND HANDSOME CLOTHING, A DAILY ALLOWANCE OF A LARGE AND AMPLE RATION OF PROVISIONS, TOGETHER WITH SIXTY DOLLARS A YEAR IN GOLD AND SILVER MONEY ON ACCOUNT OF PAY, THE WHOLE WHICH THE SOLDIER MAY LAY UP FOR HIMSELF AND FRIENDS AS ALL ARTICLES PROPER FOR HIS SUBSISTANCE AND COMFORT ARE PROVIDED BY LAW, WITHOUT ANY EXPENCE TO HIM. THOSE WHO MAY FAVOUR THIS RECRUITING PARTY WITH THEIR ATTENDANCE AS ABOVE, WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OF HEARING AND FREEING IN A MORE PARTICULAR MANNER THE GREAT ADVANTAGES WHICH THEIR BRAVE MEN WILL HAVE, WHO SHALL EMBRACE THIS OPPORTUNITY OF SPENDING A FEW HAPPY YEARS IN VIEWING THE DISTANT PARTS OF THIS BEAUTIFUL CONTINENT IN THE HONOURABLE AND TRULY RESPECTABLE CHARACTER OF A SOLDIER, AFTER WHICH, HE MAY, IF HE PLEASES RETURN HOME TO HIS FRIENDS, WITH HIS POCKETS FULL OF MONEY AND HIS HEAD COVERED WITH LAURELS.
GOD SAVE THE UNITED STATES.
Even the Navy had its own recruitment posters.
Poster featuring the historic U.S. Navy ships (clockwise from upper left): Bon Homme Richard, Constitution, Oregon and Hartford, with USS Michigan (BB-27) in center, plus information on pay and other benefits. Published on behalf of the Naval Recruiting Station, Saint Louis, Missouri.
Photograph from the Collections of the U.S. National Archives.
“Young men wanted for the United States Navy. Pay $16 to $70 per month. Ages 17 to 35 years. Board, lodging, and medical attendance free. Call or write Navy Recruiting Station. St. Louis, Missouri. Bonus of Four months pay on reenlistment. Retirement after 30 years service of 3/4 pay and allowances for rations, quarters, etc. An opportunity to learn a trade. Travel allowances of 4 cents a mile to place of enlistment upon expiration of term. $60 outfit uniform furnished gratis. An opportunity is afforded in the Navy for promotion and liberal pay to those who prove efficient. Photo #1121-M-2 Navy recruiting poster, circa 1908.”
Image courtesy of http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/arttopic/pstr-rec/nrp1900.htm.
The U.S. Marines recruited in World War I through a poster made by James Montgomery Flagg about 1922.
“First in the fight. Always faithful. Be a U.S. Marine!”
Image courtesy of http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wwipos/item/94507256/?sid=9d55e8adca891efd0033313b9cf230f0.
How the military was recruited in WWI and then later in WWII. American Treasures of the Library of Congress.
Originally published as the cover for the July 6, 1916, issue of Leslie’s Weekly with the title “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?” this portrait of “Uncle Sam” went on to become–according to its creator, James Montgomery Flagg–”the most famous poster in the world.” Over four million copies were printed between 1917 and 1918, as the United States entered World War I and began sending troops and matériel into war zones.
“The Most Famous Poster. I Want You for the
U.S. Army.”
Image courtesy of http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm015.html.
Uncle Sam still beckons today.
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