“An Army of One” is out. “Army Strong” is in.
The U.S. Army will spend $200 million a year with an advertising agency conducting a new recruiting campaign. “Army Strong” is the new slogan.
Army officials decided to throw out “An Army of One” because it sends the wrong message. The Army relies on teamwork and unity. One person does not a team make.
The soldiers never liked the old slogan. Not only does it not fit the Army’s mission, it misstates what the soldiers strive for, what they depend on and what makes them proud – teamwork.
We admire the exploits of Sgt. Alvin York, but not even he stood alone in the battlefield. He had help. He had a team. It wasn’t the team with which he had trained, but it was a team nonetheless, scraped together in the heat of battle to accomplish one objective - defeat the enemy.
York was the central figure, no doubt. He is a hero for the ages. But he relied on his fellow soldiers in the capture of hundreds of the enemy. It was one of the greatest exploits in Army annals. It was the epitome of “Army Strong.”
The Army says the soldiers like the new slogan. Many were interviewed when the brass decided to toss out that bedeviling phrase that indicates solo heroics.
“Army Strong” seems simplistic at first glance, but strength of mind, body and spirit is the characterization the Army wants and the soldiers have earned.
We must say, however, that we are confident a soldier alone in conflict or emergency will carry out the mission. We may rest assured that as long as one soldier or Marine is standing, as long as one sailor is still afloat, as long as one pilot can get a plane in the air, we can count on our country being defended to the last and defended well.
Our men and women will do their duty because of teamwork, because of their training, because of what’s in their hearts.
“Army Strong” makes a lot of sense. It’s more descriptive. It suggests a capable Army of toughness and of unity, not a loose bunch of freelancers who somehow get the job done.
“Army Strong.” That’s much better. It ought to get some attention.
— Hickory Daily Record
