ABOUT ADS OF THE WEIRD

With Ads of the Weird, MSNBC.com takes a look at some of the oddest, most eye-catching, controversial and just plain interesting advertising out there today. Primary writer Allison Linn covers the retail and advertising industries for MSNBC.com. The Ads of the Weird team is always interested in hearing what ads have caught your attention, whether it's online, on television or in print.


The Dutch army’s basic training

Posted: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 3:00 AM by Rob Neill
Filed Under:

We’re fond of the maxim “If at first you don’t succeed, lower your standards.” (Actually, we’re not really, boss, on the outside chance you’re reading this.)

It’s unfortunate, however, that in the current geopolitical climate, some elements of our armed forces are being forced to do just that to meet recruitment goals.

And while we endeavor not to be impolitic with Ads of the Weird, or even political at all, we were struck by a recent e-mail pointing out a recruitment ad for the Royal Dutch Army.

Royal Dutch Army

The spot depicts a family sitting at the breakfast table (we’re guessing bananas aren’t dinner food in the Netherlands), when the son decides to go all Dirty Harry with the fruit. As much as we understand the boy popping a few shots off at sis (natural sibling rivalry and all), we were a little put off by his trying to blast mom.

If you didn’t know who ordered the ad, at this point you’d probably wonder what they’re hawking. Maybe a video game? Then two check boxes appear in the corner of the screen: “Qualified” and “Not qualified.” Then the latter gets penciled in.

The screen dissolves to members of the armed forces with the question “Who can handle the Army?” in the foreground. The soldiers are stoic and keeping the peace.

The implied message: If you’re a violent wingnut, we don’t need you. We have standards.

How fortunate a country can have that option.

You can watch the ad here.

Off topic: How the hell do you expense this?

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

"The implied message: If you’re a violent wingnut, we don’t need you. We have standards.

How fortunate a country can have that option."

I seriously doubt that someone as ill informed and hateful as you will be shamed into apologizing to the men and women who are at this very moment serving and dying for their country so you can exercise your sophomoric right to defame their characters.

Sleep well punk.

JP Salem Oregon (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 3:47 PM)

JP obviously buys into the red tripe!

Congrats! You're 1 person in 24% of the US that can digest the Republican Feces! In fact I think there is some on your lip...

Bobby Dobbs (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:27 PM)

So JP, you are saying, with absolute certainty, that in order to keep our military full of volunteers, we're not lowering our standards?  Just like how a majority of our metropolitan police departments haven't lowered their standards to accept people with prior drug use?  Wake up man, this is the reason we have trouble recruiting for our military, because people like you live in a state of denial about what's happening in the world.  Oh, we're the USofA, we're correct on everything except when in impungs that which we think is right, then you're wrong...

Sleep well in your false sense of comfort that everything's ok in this world and what we're doing to it.

Brian, PDX, OR (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:57 PM)

For many years the Dutch army was regarded as demonstrating the absolute nadir of professionalism. It's nice to see they are trying to change that. American armed forces do not recruit "violent wingnuts" either.

Betty Smith Portland, OR (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:13 PM)

I served in Iraq, and fact of the matter is, we're lowering our standards.  We now accept (certain) criminals, we've lowered necessary test scores, and we raised our basic training maximum age from 35 to 42.  The original poster is dead on.  Would be nice to pick and choose.

B, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:23 PM)

My brother is a Marine, and I, in turn, have met a few. "Violent wingnut" can certainly describe some of them. I've had recruiters tell me that they can remove certain things from a persons record, i believe that included certain weapons charges, but don't hold me to that. All I'm saying is we make exceptions (ref to post from B in LA). And maybe we wouldn't be as desperate to find people who'll sign up if it wasn't such a big deal for a soldier to be gay.

Des, FR, MA (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:53 PM)

It's a good thing Oswald and McViegh didn't know they were supposed to be balanced. That would obliterate the tons of news they generated. What would sell ads for the news without this kinda stuff?

Reverend Billy Bob Gisher (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 10:37 PM)

I am a Major in the US Army. I have served 17 years, including combat in Iraq.  I can absolutely say, without a doubt, that the soldiers serving in the Army today are the best that I have ever seen. Army standards are actually so high, that 73% of military aged males 18-26 are actually not qualified to serve in our armed forces.  We, in fact, recruit from the top 27%. I personally believe that we may be setting our standards too high and they should be "lowered". In any event, your Army today is the best quality that we have ever had in our 232 year history. That is an irrefutable fact.  No other army has ever existed that can do what we can do. Call us "violent wingnuts" if you like, but no nation, state or empire has ever possessed a finer army in all of recorded history.

chrisw, fort knox, ky (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 10:59 PM)

Betty You seem to have forgotten Lee Harvey Oswald, Timothy McVeigh,as well as most of the Americans who are working for Blackwater. We may not be scrapping the bottom of the barrel volunteer wise,but unpleasant reality is that Americans are voting with their feet.

North Mankato, MN (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 11:42 PM)

I was stationed with the Dutch Military for awhile and they really don't need anymore wingnuts. They already have enough. They don't salute and the Dutch military is made up of some really overly wound types, who believe projectile vomiting is an Olympic Sport. P.S. This where NATO hides it's NUKES under the protection of the Dutch Military.

Fitz. Seattle, WA (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 11:47 PM)

My Dad told me that during WW I, the army recruited in prisons.  During the Viet Nam war, many a soldier was 'volunteered' to jion instead of going to jail.  During WW II, the Army drafted soldier up to the age of 44.  The standards of the military depend upon the needs of the military.

chuck, minneapolis, mn (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 11:49 PM)

Anyone know why the "Dutch" would use english in their ads?

mgabrys, SF, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 3:55 AM)

Ah, how times have changed - some 42 years ago when _I_ went to basic training, we had 3 BONA FIDE PSYCHOS in our basic training company.  But that was in the days of the DRAFT and a need for WARM BODIES...gee - what's DIFFERENT NOW? (for the US anyway)

not stupid, Seattle area (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 8:11 AM)

step back and take a deep breath, people.  what he's saying is true.  we are at war.  we also seem to have appointed ourselves protectors of the world (or at least this week's allies) therefore we need a large military.  especially considering how many of our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and friends are dying in service to their country (and a deep, heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who serves or has served) and we don't really have the option anymore to select the cream of the crop ONLY.  the military have lowered their requirements to keep up.  what's the problem with having "violent wingnuts" in the military?  after all, that's who they're fighting against.  might help us understand the terrorists' mentality, if that's possible.

go ahead, attack my opinion.  they're dying for my right to express it and your right to be outraged by it.

Mo' (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 8:47 AM)

Ms. Smith - So how did the Dutch Army demonstrate that? By not all having buzz cuts? In fact, we have long been known for our problem-solving skills (that's the purpose, right?), by allowing recruits to retain a sense of self in bootcamp. Hey, but at least we're trying.

And no, bananas aren't dinner food.

Lt. JR (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 9:24 AM)

What a bunch of idiots, the story is not about the US military but Royal Dutch Army.

Osama Obama (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 9:49 AM)

Listen folks, not all members of the military are republicans and totally support the current administration. Recognizing the fact that there are men and women dying for our country as I write this does not mean that you have bought into the "republican feces" as it was put (there were many democrats that voted in support for this war). We in the military (Marine of 14 years) serve our country and those that govern it, right or wrong,and we have made a commitment when we signed on the line and most of us take that very seriously. Yes, there may be those "wingnuts" that make it through the cracks but you will find that in any organization (i.e. crooked cops, politicians who stash $90,000 worth of bribery money in their freezer at home and claim that they are innocent, postal workers who mow down fellow employees because they are disgruntled). Face it, in many areas of our lives things are not black and white, good and evil, but just plain "gray". It's perfectly ok to "support the troops but not the war". Some of us do have faith that the majority will eventually be fairly represented. We just have to make our voices heard.

Jon Dayton, OH (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 10:26 AM)

Evidently no one remembers the Viet Nam war years and the draft.  Many who were accepted in the draft wouldn't be able to meet todays requirements, even the lowered requirements.  In fact in those days many law breakers  were given the choice by a judge; jail time or join the military.  So your complaining about todays requirements, eh?  An all volunteer military is always better than a conscripted one.

Rich, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 10:34 AM)

You're all for missing the point entirely. Believe it or not this report is about an advertisement for the DUTCH Army, NOT the United States military.  But of course why let a little concern like the actual facts intrude on your seized opportunity to rail about the United States and its iniquities.  Read.  Comprehend.  Think.  Then comment.  Then perhaps you wouldn't all look like buffoons.  (My apologies to Betty who is, it would seem, the only one able to make an on-topic comment.)

Jeremy - Patrick AFB, FL (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 10:41 AM)

I believe it wouldn't be so difficult to recruit if our county wasn't full of whiney little babies.  Everyone wants something for free.  Parents teach their children that they can get an 80k a year job right out of high school.  More so, they teach kids that they do not have to be responsible for their actions.  I have seen it for the last two years as a recruiter.  I got sick of it.  I am proud of the few (the very few) who have the fortitude to stand up for their country while the rest of you hide behind your political excuses as to why this is all wrong.  You would rather whine and point fingers than step up and be a part of the solution.  Congratulations!  You ARE the problem.  

J Wood, Fort Meade, MD (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 10:58 AM)

Uh, how did everyone miss this one:

The Dutch have the option to pick and choose who gets into their military, because their government didn't decide to invade a foreign country, blow up the infrastructure, and is now trying to rebuild it.

Simple rules of supply and demand - if you're not sticking your military where it doesn't belong, you don't have high turnover or death rates, meaning you can pick and choose who you want to be driving the tanks and launching the RPGs.

Dsac (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 11:04 AM)

I actually know some one who was not allowed in the US army because they couldn’t prove that he would not shoot his own men. So we are weeding out wing nuts (by the way I no longer talk with him, he just makes me uneasy now)

db baltimore (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 11:06 AM)

I just spent 9 years in the U.S. Army and can honestly say we can do without 40% of the current psycho soldiers. I spent 80% of my time as a leader dealing with nutcases working for me and 20% of my time on the professionals that deserved to be there. Lowering the standards doesn't even come close to explaining how some of these idiots ever made it past the recruiting station, let alone basic training. Soldiers don't even have to pass a weapons qualification or physical fitness test to pass basic training anymore. The last two soldiers I received from Basic took six months to pass their Physical Fitness test. It's a tragedy!

MG, Ft. Wainwright, Alaska (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 11:34 AM)

    The Dutch Army?  What a joke!  They held the Germans off from completly overtaking their country for what, 24 hours?  If not for NATO and the United States, they'd be taken over in a day and a half without breaking a sweat!

Robert, San Diego California (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 11:59 AM)

My basic training company BEFORE the iraq war lost 22 people to the MP "scum scoopers".  These were car thieves, rapists, drug dealers, and thugs of all stripes who either lied to get in, or had their recruiters lie to get them in.  We have to acknowledge the fact that certain professions tend to draw certain types of people.  Prison guards, police, soldiers.  These are people whom are EXPECTED to use FORCE to gain COMPLIANCE.  Sounds a bit what?  Sadistic?  I mean really! how many different careers are there out there that DON'T regularly require beating, killing, and being shot at.  JP, you are an idiot.  The article was about the dutch having standards, not our servicemen being deficient.  It's your pet republicans fault they lowered standards in the first place.  Choke on it you moron.  

Ex-Soldier (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 12:34 PM)

You do realize, JP, that we're speaking of the Dutch military?  Not to denigrate their contribution the same madness that's gripping the rest of the world, but...
I just watched the video and no, this wingnut does not need to have anything more lethal than a banana within his reach.  I sure wouldn't want to be his buddy in a combat situation if the video is showing his true mindset.  He looks like he's having just a little too much fun "shooting" people.
Human nature terrifies me!!

Patti L - Spfld, IL (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 12:41 PM)

JP Salem Oregon (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 3:47 PM)

Explain to me how our soldiers occupying a nation on the other side of the world gives us our freedom of speech?  I thought it was the Constitution, but I suppose that's been rendered irrelevant over the past eight years.

Kevin, Lincoln, NE (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 12:44 PM)

@ Robert,

It was 4 days to be exactly. But the germans thought they could do it in 24 hours. So After 4 days of fighting they decided to bomb our (yeah i'm dutch) cities with V1s. That's when the dutch capitulated to the germans. Who had more men and beter equipment. So please shut up and talk about stuff that you do have knowledge about.

M Brands, Heeswijk, Netherlands (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 3:46 PM)

Haha, it's just funny to read all your reactions American citizens! (Don't hold my English mistakes to me, I think your mistakes about the Dutch language are just a bit bigger) Not to mension how incredible DUM you people are. Our army is ull of idiots? Please, go hate gay people, go kill black people and go invate some other country because you want the oil so badly. But please, for the love of God (you know, the guy who  tells you Americans what you can and can't do?!) look at your own country. The whole world is laughing in your faces!! We'll give you just a few more years, before Europe's army is going to drop food supply's above the lovely US of A!

Ps. Just check all the military championships, and see that the Dutch all the best in allmost everything. And America???????
Ps 2. No hard feelings, I'll just put op the news and see some other stupid ´accident´ in America

Victor, The Netherlands (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 3:57 PM)

@ Victor, The Netherlands
you are being one hell of an example youself now by showing of some serieus steriotypes.
Now for all the whiners that are saying this artycle issnt about the us army etc. As the writer gave some cynicms about it in its opening.
Now i believe the the us military is alot more gun ho then any other european country, but thats just something that lays in the upbringing. European military also has more chance on a organized army cause its simply smaller.

mattie. the netherlands (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 4:36 PM)

Victor stfu

kkkip , the Netherlands (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 4:46 PM)

The Dutch Army is proffesional and they have alot of modern kit. They are also proving in Afghanistan that when push comes to shove they will and are able to fight like the best of them.

But this problem is not just a US one. The Dutch Armed Forces have recruitment problems as well, though on a much smaller scale.  

Bob, Netherlands (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 5:16 PM)

@M Brands, Heeswijk, Netherlands
V1 in 1940?
Read a book about the bombing of Rotterdam or shut up.

albert netherlands (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 5:48 PM)

@ Victor, The Netherlands

I think most people here would understand your dutch better then your english. Dont make a fool out of yourself.

@M Brands, Heeswijk, Netherlands
it were airplanes.....

Zwitser, Rotterdam, Netherland (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 8:00 PM)

Why do some people have comments about the Dutch Army? I am in the Army for over 10 years now, and yes, we have psychos aswell, just like you guys. just like every army.And why do some people critise our armed forces. Talking about a war wich took place in the 40's? please man... get a life. I'm currently stationend in Afghanistan, working AND fighting together with AMericans and Brits, and we all respect eachother.I don't hear any complaints when we save some US soldiers or when they save us, but yeah, it's easy to complai when you are sitting at home with your family an children around you.that is what we call armleuning militairen. I apoligize for my English.

Peter (Sent Thursday, November 08, 2007 3:02 AM)

Dear Dutch Friends.
Please do not judge all Americans by Bush and the Republican stupidity. They actually want TAX CUTS after invading a country, where they didn't even protect the vital infrastructure...now they are bleeding us for more money to fix their mistakes. I agree with you, fortunately I was able to get married in Switzerland to my gay partner of 27 years and can leave this mess....I keep seeing people buying huge SUVs and thinking that we won't be hunting for oil to run them. This country used to be ahead of the curve, now we are so far behind it we can't even see the light at the end of the tunnel. But thank god we are not spending money taking care of poor children and instead wasting it on a hunt for AL Queda and Bin Laden (they are in Pakastan you idiots).

Brian B, Palm Desert, CA (Sent Thursday, November 08, 2007 11:07 AM)

In this day and age, USA has technological superiority.  Fighting skills have little to do with winning or losing.  The US can win just about any battle it fights.  It will still lose the war because of the refusal of those at the top to recognise you can never defeat a determined indigenous population through military might; only suppress them.  You would think they could take that lesson away from the thousands of years of Middle East history.  Or Vietnam.  Or the American Revolution.  Win the hearts and minds, or repeat history.  

C, Baltimore, MD (Sent Friday, November 09, 2007 2:50 PM)

You know, I see a lot of people dictating foreign policy from their living rooms; most illiterate, or gay.  I am in the United States Army and have been since I was 17 years old.  I have had Iraqis hug me and thank me for helping to dispose Saddam Insane, and I have had Kuwaitis hug me for helping them out in 90 and 91.  I guess that the liberals and gays in this country would love for us to pull out of Iraq and let them in the military, and let them bastardize the values that we based our country on by allowing Gay Marriage, I am so glad that the poster who moved to Switzerland to marry his gay lover did so (I hope you stay there).  I am proud to be a soldier and I hope that you all are proud to be American insurgents.  I really love the way you liberals shout against my country while you live off it, I especially love the way you tuck your heads when I walk by; now that is great!  While you enjoy your liberties just remember that the people who gave you those liberties are the very ones who you so love to gripe about.

Prentice Hill, Fort Lewis, WA (Sent Saturday, November 10, 2007 12:00 PM)

Phwoaah!...I think everybody, especially the man who wrote from Fort Lewis, WA needs to calm down and control their emotions.  First off, this vid had absolutely nothing to do with the Imperial Army of the United States, but with the army of a much smaller country.  The ad-vid was meant to be HUMEROUS.  Its statement was simply that "psychopaths needn't apply to the Dutch Army".  Instead, everybody stormed into a verbal firefight, attacking both the Dutch and Imperial Armies.  WHY?  And then people have to start roasting each other over the "southpaw issue"!  What in the name of all that is holy does that have to do with anything?  However, Fort Lewis Man was very out of line.  He should realize that he sounds just like the people he fights when he speaks that way.  Yes, soldiers gave the U.S. its freedom and made it an empire.  And the people they fought (and fight today) ranted (and still rant) just as hatefully as he does.  As I recall, the Nazis hated homosexuals, too.  They even killed a couple million of them in concentration camps.  Also, don't Islamofacists like Al-Quaeda STONE homosexuals to death?  This is a FUNNY vid.  Nobody means anybody any harm.  I certainly respect Imperial soldiers, as I know they are just doing their job, and I know that only about 25% of them are actually off the monorail.  Learn to laugh at stupid youtube ad-vids and not take it personally, especially if the joke is not on you.

T'Kratla Savarvax, Nome, Alaska (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 3:37 AM)

Pro-American means being for ALL Americans not matter the race, creed or sexual identity.  I am a disabled veteran of the Persian Gulf War, I am liberal in my politics, and proud to be an American.  Mr. Hill you are a perfect example of the type of person I do not like to see in the military, your attitude is that of a poor soldier and one that I would have worked to remove.  So sad to see a man of 35+ like yourself spouting garbage like that.

JM in Columbia (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:35 AM)

This is very amusing.
I am sure the level of professionalism amonst the Dutch Army is very good.
I cannot believe how ignorant many of the Americans who are posting here sound.

BTW, I am a Vietnam war veteran who joined to keep from getting drafted. And I can confirm that many joined when given the choice of prison or the Militry by a judge.

Our Volunteer force is good at this time.
However, we are lowering standards, there is no eqivocation on this, despite the propaganda by the Army officer on here.

The author of this article is the one who should be castigated.
He makes it sound as if the Dutch are flakes.
Thye are not, they are very comptent professional soldiers as are most of ours.

I am totally against the war in Iraq. I despise Bush and Cheny and the other ChickenHawks who evaded service in the Vietnam war while they send our young men to die for their hidden political agendas.

this is a quote from the article:
"The implied message: If you’re a violent wingnut, we don’t need you. We have standards."

Thats good.
Too bad we dont have the same here.
Everytime I see a recruiting commercial for the Army or Marines: I say to myself : Suckers!



Bart, Springfield, Ohio (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 5:52 PM)

"You had enough supplies for five days, it is now day 12,, Do you have what it takes?" Um duh, obviously not. Above and beyond lack of basic supplies, Perhaps lets just consider the quality and effectiveness of the body armor, or armored vehicles. One of my best friends has had six surguries to repair intensive injuries suffered because of poor planning, and inadequate equipment. By the way his chest area is fine due to the vest.. His extremities hamburger, and never to be functional again. None of us soldiers are all that stable after returning from this evil capitalist war. Maybe, just maybe, we are creating more violent wingnuts than we are signing. You cannot win a war when the powers that be do not allow you to do so. This war is good for business, not humanity. Especially so for our illustrious, and eloquent pre$ident$ daddys death gear supply company..

gi joe. virginia beach (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:40 PM)

I am sure MANY posters here are POSERS and NOT US soldiers.  GI joe especially

Cowardly liberal (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 7:27 PM)

Some of those comments were really heartfelt.  Ill-informed and ill-composed, but heartfelt.  I happen to agree with the ad.  Of course, the Dutch army is pretty small, and unionized, so maybe they're trying to keep it small.  We, on the other hand, have a much larger army, so we need some of these people.  We just don't make a big thing out of it.  I was both a career military man and a high-school teacher (one after the other), so I know there're as many screwups in civilian life as there are in the army.  I thought the ad was hilarious, myself.  

Robert, Claflin KS (Sent Wednesday, January 09, 2008 12:33 AM)

The Dutch SF are reguarded in the military community as being in the top 10 percent, very proficient and tactically sound.

Abel Koahou (Sent Monday, February 04, 2008 3:41 PM)

Indeed the Dutch military is in the top 10 percent.
I am glad the Ad works, and stirred up a lot of conversation.

Zonduiveltje, Superior, Colorado (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 5:16 PM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)