A More Sensitive Air Force?

Whoa! Flyboys go all sensitive in new TV ads

Sorry, Mr. Vice President, but maybe Sen. John Kerry had it right with his talk of a "sensitive" military after all. At least that's the gist of a new series of U.S. Air Force recruiting ads out this week.

Instead of pushing fighter jets and Stealth bombers, the four shown to Washington Whispers promote the people side of the service in reaching out to kids who might not consider enlisting. One ad shows a Hispanic high-schooler taking food from others in a cafeteria. You get the feeling he's a bully until the camera finds him giving the chow to a homeless man. "We've been waiting for you," coos the new slogan as the image morphs to the teen, now in uniform, pushing humanitarian aid out the back of a C-17 over Afghanistan. Another features a fearless girl mesmerized by tornadoes ending up in the Air Force weather service.

Besides recruiting 18-to-24 year olds, Brig. Gen. Frederick Roggero hopes the ads will leave viewers with a broader view of the service. "There is a compassionate mission for the Air Force," says the spokesman. "It's a little surprising to people."



You can view the ads here:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040911/capt.whre11109111723.bush_sept_11_anniversary_whre111.jpg