This network of about 10 channels includes AFN sports, AFN movie, family, prime, pacific, etc. and features news, football, shows like Oprah and America’s Funniest Home Videos, Hannah Montana and 24. The most interesting thing to watch, however, is not the shows themselves but what is in between them. The “commercials” on AFN are not marketing products to military personnel and families but instead send messages and advice to “better” their lives. If you watch one of the channels enough to complete one show you may see messages informing you about foreign adoption and how assistance is available to service members or the importance of making a list of all the supplements you take and how you should share this with your health care provider to make sure they coincide. After all, “planning ahead is the healthy thing to do.” There are messages discouraging alcoholism and abuse and encouraging motorcycle safety and reporting suspicious activity. A woman teaches you about the difference between an expiration date and sell by date so that you do not waste good food. A ridiculous spoof on Indiana Jones talks about the symptoms of heat exhaustion and how to combat them. There are advertisements for church, “it’s your faith, it’s your choice,” because, just like building your physical strength takes going to the gym, building your spiritual faith takes going to God’s gym. Encouraging messages from generals, commanders, families, and celebrities remind you that you are a hero and to stay army strong or how you are one of “the few, the proud, the marines,” or “remember you are part of a team, the navy team, a team that depends on each other everyday.” They provide options for after you leave the military such as “become a teacher and you will be able to pass on what you have learned about honor leadership and commitment, you’ll be a role model and isn’t that what kids need?” Small clips teach about the history of “old glory” and Norman Rockwell. And of course, always remember, if you have a grievance visit your law office, “Rules and regulations are there for your safety.”
It is like a constant common sense cassette playing for your life.
In case you have forgotten what a cassette is, it is made out of plastic and ribbon, sort of like a midget VHS…oh wait, do you remember what a VHS is! Oh no, the children will not understand, help them, guide them, teach them of the past…
Anyway, can you imagine if these ads actually worked (I think they are beginning to sink into my brain, if nothing else, purely out of repetition) what they could do for the “civilian world?” Rather than supporting a consumerist society, the entertainment industry could encourage common sense and practical thinking. All the while boosting self-esteem and encouraging the adherence to orders…wait what? All that sounds delightful minus that last bit. I mean, obeying rules/laws is important for the most part but I feel as though the constant structured thought robs you of any of your own common sense and decision making skills. You are reminded, told, ordered even as to what you should do and how you should think, who you are and what to do in the future. I do find it refreshing to turn on the TV and not be bombarded with 10 minutes of sales pitch after sales pitch in between 2 minutes of actual programming, especially since I get enough marketing out in the street here. But are propaganda and messages any better when viewed in large doses? I could see why a soldier, far from home, in need of guidance could take comfort in this constant encouragement and advice but for the layman they come on a bit strong.
As Joel says, the AFN has given me a small taste of the military and although I respect them greatly, I can definitely say I am happy that I never joined the ranks. I feel as though the constant “guidance” is a little too much for my taste but it does make you proud, even if you have done nothing (like in my case for example). I do recommend, if you happen to be in the area of a military base, to make friends with an AFN user and experience the South Park remakes (to send a message of course) and special made military soap opera. Quality programming. And if that is not enough, don’t you worry because there are always the AFN radio stations. So remember if you are looking for a dose of some first-rate common sense or are a little low on self-esteem, flip on the good ol’ AFN.
