The other day, I was driving up the NJ Turnpike and saw a billboard wherein the FBI was asking for recruits. The next day, I saw an article that talked about how the CIA is using both traditional and online media to do the same. I have the following comments on this subject:
- When the U.S. Government agencies that protect our freedom, such as the CIA and FBI, implement traditional advertising programs to recruit, they could psychologically be doing more harm than good. People here and abroad could easily get the impression that these agencies are running short on qualified people, which is a bit scary.
- These agencies are usually thought of as having people who are the “best of the best.” Advertising to the masses gives me the feeling that they can no longer get the kind of people as they have in the past without advertising to the general public.
- In the past, they used a targeted “rifle approach” by visiting school and colleges. This new advertising approach is more like a “shotgun” or scattered attempt which also leaves me with the impression that it is somewhat wasteful.
- You don’t see Scotland Yard advertising in the London Telegraph for recruits or the government of Israel running ads to join the Mossad. Overall, I fear people might get the impression that these agencies are in trouble and that is not a signal I would risk sending to terrorists and other anti-U.S. organizations. Even in our local police departments, the elite are promoted to higher levels from within. I do see recruitment advertising for NYC policemen, but it’s only for entry level positions.
Let me know what you think.
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