Chrisha Baskerville

I was born and raised military. Growing up, I never understood what my mother was feeling when my Marine father was away at staff duty, deployed, in the field, or even when he had to stay later at work. When I was 21, I got a taste of those feelings, and still am dealing with those feelings for the next decade or more…

My husband is proudly serving the US Army, and is in the process of deploying in a few short months. We have a daughter, who is two years old, and I am trying to come to terms with how to comfort her and answer to her when she cries for her daddy when he is gone on deployment. I mean, she cries for him when he is at work; how am I going to handle the deployment? I now understand everything my mother was going through.

The Army commercials always make me emotional; anything dealing with patriotism makes me emotional. There are Army commercials that show camaraderie, opportunity, trust, and even separation. Behind the scenes, spouses do not know exactly what is going on, and watching these commercials give you an idea of what there is to come and what some of the Army expectations are.

When the commercials come on and have the slogan, “There’s Strong. (And then there’s) Army Strong” at the end, it represents social responsibility and marketing technique. It targets all types of individuals that not only want opportunity, but also are willing to defend your country and take something learned out of the Army. The commercials show real life people, who are currently serving or have served, with opportunity given to them due to the Army. Some are doctors, firefighters, technicians, sports coaches and soldiers. Showing this, gives us an emotional attachment for the normalcy that is shown on the television. These people have been through the military lifestyle that is affecting our emotions daily. It makes you feel for them and gives you a sense of understanding.

“There’s Strong. (And then there’s) Army Strong.” deals with family also. Being strong for one another and coping through the good times and bad times; just be strong and “hurry up and wait.” The military is a different lifestyle, and takes strong and loving individuals to get through it. I would not change anything that the commercials represent and how they are presented. It touches on the hard work, opportunity, and camaraderie that the army values should instill.

How do the Army commercials make you feel as a potential soldier, friend or family member?

Graphic Credit:
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