Be all that you can be!

My post about underrated generals and Mad Max Thurman put in mind of the army recruitment commercials of my youth.

But first, a taste of what came before.

Here's the army making the same basic pitch they had been for a century, three hots, a cot, a roof and clothing. $288 a month in 1973 was not bad. I know in 1968, my old man, working at NBC News was bringing home 87.50 a week. Yes, that's John Travolta.

This is the most 70's commercial possible. I guess the pitch is you can join and defer enrollment:

When Mad Max Thurman took over things, he totally changed the way the Army sold itself, and it fit perfectly the go-go-80's.

First Be all you can be:

This could almost be a McDonalds breakfast commercial. Action, adventure. Optimism.

Here's one making the same pitch but adding money for college:

And here's one talking about what the army can do for your professional career. Also, tanks:

Of course, these drove my 60's era parents batty. Goddamn hippies....