Marines

So I'm finally getting to a branch I know about: the Marines. I have had extensive encounters with the marines and they're recruiting tactics. More so in fact tan with any other branch besides the Army. As I mentioned before I went to a military high school. Even though we were an Army JROTC school we had a Marine recruiting station right next store. They often came to visit us, not only because we were a military school but because we were already partially trained in basic military dress and drill, as well as physically capable due to our daily PT regiment.  In addition to the reciters the two teachers that I was closest too were retired Marine corps vets. Both my history teachers as well as my coaches I established a strong bond with them. One a retired 22yr marine sniper who had served in desert storm, who i had both my sophomore and senior year as a European history and micro-economics teacher and was the coach of my mock trial team. The other a captain who had been injured in the course of duty during Vietnam and was my football coach as well as my freshman history teacher. Both of these men demanded respect, discipline, thoroughness, but also had a greater knowledge of the world they lived in, and a wisdom that few could hope to obtain. I was very very close to applying for NROTC here and going the Marine option because of these two men, and would have had I not destroyed my knee.  So with that in mind I will begin my discussion on the recruiting style of the US Marine Corps.
Now for all you military people out there, I understand that the Marines are still technically a sub-branch of the Navy. However, this is simply because they answer to the Sec of the Navy. They have their own officer corp that does not have any obligation to the highest ranking admiral in the Navy. So for all intensive purposes I will be treating them like a separate branch.
The Marines are different from other branches because they pride themselves on being the most verscetile and the fiercest warriors the US has to offer.  Indeed they're slogan alone says it all: "The Few; The Proud: The Marines."  These words are all they need to represent they're power. They are an elite fighting force that are proud to serve their nation.  They are one of the oldest "special ops" groups in the world if you will, being founded shortly after the Navy during the American Revolution.  They have an old and honored tradition of being the fiercest fighters, a reputation that comes primarily from the time in WWII where the Marine corps was the primary fighting force to defeat the entire military of the Japanese empire. This tradition is a source of honor for the Marines. They are tough, aggressive, smart and above all courageous. They undergo the hardest training, endure the worst conditions and are paid lousy for it. So then what appeal would the Marine corps serve?
This is what makes the achievements of Marine recruiters so spectacular. The Marines unlike other branches are the most selective in their recruiting. They are looking for a certain kind of person. They want someone who is strong, tough, has good common sense, but will take orders without question. They also need somebody who is willing to die. The Marines endure the most dangerous missions. This coupled with the brutal training and low pay tends to turn many away. However, this actually makes a reciters job easier. It weeds out those who do not have the dedication to do what is done. Recruiters want someone with motivation. Often times this means appealing to the recruits sense of honor. When people see a Marine they give that person respect because of the reputation that being a Marine has with it. Marines are associate with greatness and recruiters appeal to peoples pathos by fulfilling their need to be liked, respected and needed. Unlike other branches where they try to sell people an the education they can receive or the job skills they will have for the future the Marines focus on honor associated with their branch... primarily because they can't offer the rest. But the honor is really enough for most people. Having USA Marine Corps on your resume is enough to get many jobs.
As far as commercials go the Marines are very basic. They aren't like the other branches where they show flashy planes or special ops teams in combat. Mostly its just the marines in formation or doing drill in full dress. They know their reputation and therefore don't really need to show all the flashy stuff. This also shows the discipline that goes with the Marine Corps.  The straight lines the slow precise movements with the rifles. The Marines make they're job look easy in their commercials even though they can be the most difficult. As of lately the Marines are actually displaying their achievements. They are talking about the great things they have done in the recent wars and displaying on billboards small scenes of combat.
I have great respect for the Marines. Not just for what they do, but for the men that actually have gone through the hardships and come out. They have seen heard and done more than most men I know and have come out scarred. However they are also the strongest most dignified men I know. We should be proud to have men like them serving for our freedom. I know I am.