Analysis of Video Text
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Su0fJb_NhY

This particular United States Marine Corpse recruiting ad starts by showing an American flag followed by different clips of Marines serving our country. A voice over narrator described how the Marines carry out duties of everything from invading beaches to freeing countries. The ad bounces back and fourth between the compassionate side and the violent side of the Marines. The ad showed powerful images of young kids from different countries thanking the Marines, reinforcing the compassionate side of the Corpse. It went on to present images of the U.S. defeating the Japanese in World War 2, showing the more typical side of the Corpse. Before ending, the commercial showed clips of the American Flag a few more times.
The ad is telling the cultural narrative that it’s a duty as an American to serve our country and it’s something to be proud of. One of the highest levels of patriotism in our country is serving in the Military. As the ad goes into describing the caring side of the Corpse it expands the narrative by associating the Marines and being American with compassion and power. It emphasizes that the military are the “good guys”, not only do they protect the United States, but they protect other countries. The cultural knowledge this add requires is the understanding of what the American flag symbolizes to our country. It represents pride, honor and a duty to protect America. The commercial reinforces the cultural narrative that as Americans we have a duty to uphold our country and be proud of the way we do it. Marines not only protect our country but are compassionate in doing so.
The government doesn’t want people to question if joining the military is the right thing to do. Our country has developed an ideology that not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s your duty. It’s a way to make your parents proud, secure your future, and protect your country. The ad hopes you’ll surrender to the idea that every aspect of the military is honorable. Defeating evil, protecting the weak, and carrying out the American duty.
I agree with this ad. Serving in the Military is one of the biggest ways to pay back our country for every thing it has so freely given us. It’s worth it to die for something you believe in. On the other hand, it’s wrong to join the Military just because of the benefits you’ll receive. I would fight for free, if it’s a cause I believe in, but you couldn’t pay me all the money in the world to fight for a cause I don’t agree with!