How do we create more appealing (but also true) stories of the military for the masses?

LTJG Stephanie Thompson — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 15:02:24 -0500

I was recently reading a great post by SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" regarding ways and reasons people dislike the military and I commented on his thread. At the end of my comment, I asked this question. He gave me the idea to start a new discussion, and I ran with it. There are many reasons people do not like the military. Some are people that have served and had bad experiences; others are people that have never served but have an idea in their head. The media often does not help, as they tend to sell negative stories, as negative stories get the most views. So, how do we shift the focus to the positive?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2020 3:45 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 15:45:08 -0500

LTJG Stephanie Thompson Great post! We can contact new stations/reporters with newsworthy stories for them to report on that cast the military/veteran community in a good light. There are many such instances that go unreported and this needs to change.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 21 at 2020 3:45 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 15:45:40 -0500

First if one solves a problem, we must be able to understand the problem. What is the extent of the negative view of the military? Can we conduct a quantitative analysis?

This is not an answer but more of a description. I think the US public is tired of these long wars. IMO one reason is they are tired of the suffering associated with war. IMO the second reason is the public tends to lose interest over time. Often when big news stories occurs, there is a significant amount of coverage, but over time, the interest level decreases. I think the answer lies in how to develop culture in the modern world.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2020 3:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 15:53:33 -0500

IN my opinion and from my experience the greatest thing we can do is to treat our Soldiers with dignity and respect. Let's help them set themselves up for success. All of us at one point or another leave the military, whether its after our first enlistment or after a retirement or anywhere in between. If we teach, train, and mentor, and allow Soldiers ample time within preset rules and regulations to prepare themselves for life after the Military, Soldiers will be the best Advertisement we can get. When they get out and back into our communities they will be the first ones to explain to those around them what a great experience they had serving our great country. This is not fool proof, there are Soldier that have no business ever serving, and those we wont be able to reach. But for those other 99% that serve honorably, treat with dignity and respect and our image will be a lot better than it is. Just an old recent retiree's observation.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Feb 21 at 2020 4:40 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 16:40:09 -0500

What makes a story "appealing"? Is it being able to identify with the leading characters, plot, and resolution? In that sense, maybe we can't adequately relate our stories to those who have no context to fully understand them. Perhaps it's about educating those without that context. If so, then we should avoid diluting the facts, romanticizing the experience, or downplaying the consequences. Then again, it's possible that what we're really getting at here, is that not all stories are, or ever can be "positive'...and maybe that's acceptable as well.

Response by PO1 M. Chandler made Feb 22 at 2020 9:38 PM

PO1 M. Chandler — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 21:38:42 -0500

you might have to start your own blog, or write a book or screenplay of your own. A lie gets around the world before the truth gets his pants on, sadly - and people prefer the negative stories. Dirty laundry sells. Feel good stuff is forgotten fast, like the taste of a cookie, it doesn't last in memory. You just think of the calories and the guilt afterward.

Response by CPT Wayne Price made Feb 23 at 2020 5:56 PM

CPT Wayne Price — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 17:56:47 -0500

Get to know the journalists; earn their respect and give them good stories. CPT Wayne Price

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Mar 3 at 2020 3:30 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 15:30:40 -0500

I feel that Americans find value and pride in their nations ability to be a standard of good in the world. Telling stories of how we are assisting other nations rebuilding efforts, fighting alongside and supporting smaller states against terrorism, and leading humanitarian efforts would go a long way to help negative perceptions people may have.