What do you think of the National Guard spending $50 million on promoting the military at NFL Games?

2015-05-13T18:16:34-04:00

The military has long advertised at sporting events and during sports broadcasts as a way to reach potential recruits. But new revelations about deals between professional football teams and the National Guard have caused a stir over whether the military and the league should be more transparent about what's a display of goodwill toward the troops and what's a paid advertisement.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-nfl-military-20150512-story.html

Deals between National Guard and NFL cause a stir

At halftime of each home game last season, the New England Patriots invited a soldier on the field to honor the troops. Dressed in camouflage, they smiled and waved to the crowd during the feel-good moment.

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 13 at 2015 6:18 PM

2015-05-13T18:18:47-04:00

Give me 1/10 of that money and i will walk all across this country and sing the National Guard song at every football game! I wasn't even NG!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 7:53 PM

2015-05-13T19:53:10-04:00

I posted the below response a day ago in another topic on same thing.

By SFC Tim Springman 1 day ago:
Not really Chief, and heres why.

1. They are saying that the National Guard spent $49,000,000 on sports sponsorships with little to no success on it.
2. End of last FY the National Guard was OVER budget $100,000,000.

2nd and 3rd order effects. This year my State only recieved 40% of what we should have for operating money. This means DRASTIC cuts that reach all the way down to unit level that has impacted us to keep our OPTEMPO and training up to the level it needs to be. We are getting ready to go to our 2 week Annual Training here in a month. For my unit (thanks to these cuts) we will only be able to take 65% of my unit. Where as we usually take 85-90% of unit. We are doing both Gunnery(Tank and Bradley), and tactical training. But yet they still want us to be able to accomplish the taskings. Will we? Yes, but not as well as we should.

I know alot of naysayers will say that all this money is good PR etc, it may be BUT when there is little to no return on the investment WTH??

I have been to many AA and AAA Baseball games and many DIV 1 and 2 College games that didnt cost anyone a dime. The Colleges sprang for the tickets, and gave their recognition in their own way. All they asked is if we showed up in uniform to be recognized.

All i see here is a shitload of money that has been WASTED, and now that the dust has settled and it has made the media everyone is all up in arms..
Edit

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 13 at 2015 8:46 PM

2015-05-13T20:46:03-04:00

SSG Gerhard S., I don't think it would be that hard to come up with any number of ways to better spend that money.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 13 at 2015 8:48 PM

2015-05-13T20:48:27-04:00

The military is an advertiser, just like any other organization. We are no more entitled to free advertising than Wendy's or McDonalds.. It's not patriotism on the part of the NFL, it's business wrapped in a flag. It's essentially an Army infomercial in the middle of a game. Nothing more.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 13 at 2015 9:09 PM

2015-05-13T21:09:26-04:00

Advertising is one thing, companies giving the impression they are honoring service to country and then charging the Guard (or other military orgs) is dishonest and not very patriotic in addition to being highly manipulative.

These companies get the admiration of citizens (and possible customers) because they think these companies are doing the right thing, something patriotic etc. They are doing it for the money but get loads of good will with the public for it.

Advertiseing (like the Guard NASCAR) is different. We all know the Guard is sponoring the car and is paying for it like any other sponsor. Whether or not it is a waste of money is another matter. I think it is especially considering the cuts the military faces.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 9:17 PM

2015-05-13T21:17:58-04:00

Every time I hear that we're out of money for the fiscal year, I'll think of this 50 mil, and one of those times I'll have an aneurysm and die.

Response by SPC David S. made May 13 at 2015 9:38 PM

2015-05-13T21:38:59-04:00

Now that the NFL has dropped their 501(c) 6 status who knows what these guys will be doing.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made May 13 at 2015 10:01 PM

2015-05-13T22:01:39-04:00

All the way down on the ground level where I'm at, humbly and respectfully, I think its a bunch of malarkey.

My Soldiers have cruddy equipment or worse, and need the financial support....

As much as I like football and other professional sports I would much rather see the NGB spend that money the reality of its Soldier than the pretend of a television commercial or the support of folks that get to basically play for a living.

Maybe I'm just feeling a tad bitter and pissy today (see my earlier post for my other Dennis Miller-ish tirade), but it seems to me that this is another example of societies screwed up priorities and perceptions.

And, I apologize for being such a buzzkill today to my fellow service members, if I am. (I think I'm guilty of caring too much about y'all....)

Response by SPC Eddie Espejo made May 13 at 2015 10:53 PM

2015-05-13T22:53:00-04:00

money would have been better spent securing our borders wow imagine that

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-05-14T10:50:45-04:00

It's funny that a lot of these players claim to support the military and its veterans, yet their actions and attitudes suggest otherwise. I remember a few Veteran's Days ago, a former Ranger was one among several other Soldiers participating in a color guard performance at a baseball event in New York. The Ranger gave one of the players a challenge coin, and I sat there in front of my TV disgusted. If anyone should receive anything, it should have been the Soldier. Not the athlete who makes millions of dollars a year simply hitting a ball. These sports leagues and teams rake in more money than the average joe ever will...

Response by PO1 Thomas Herms made May 15 at 2015 2:02 AM

2015-05-15T02:02:31-04:00

Especially with fly-overs and other large demonstrations, if anyone should be paid, it should be the military for the extra crowd-pleasing entertainment. It just seems ridiculous for the Guard, or any Service, to pay for the demonstration, even if it is advertising.