Masculinity, Citizenship, and Military Obligation during the Korean War

“Masculinity, Citizenship, and Military Obligation during
                            the Korean War”
     Historically, the American military has had to offer recruitment enticements that have nothing to do with citizenship or military obligation. Rather, recruitment efforts have emphasized benefits (an extra pair of breeches or expanded health care), travel, or masculinity. Post World War II Army reforms and recruitment strategy continued the tradition.  By early 1946, Army recruitment advertising reflected the limited role that a sense of obligation played in enticing men to join, emphasizing instead retirement and education benefits, higher pay and expanded medical care. The 1949 recruiting campaign focused on world travel and benefits, and photo layouts suggested that soldiers could have their pick of women because military men were more manly.  Manhood remained fundamental to recruitment even during the Korean War.  Although illustrations were now drawings of combat scenes, the core slogan was that earning the Combat Infantryman’s Badge was “the mark of a man,” an impressively astute catchphrase considering the 1950s’ “crisis of masculinity.” However, these military images competed with the renewed emphasis on “public usefulness,” domesticity, and the idea that real men were good providers.  Why serve the military if men who stayed home were equally masculine and equally good citizens?
     This paper explores how American men redefined manliness and how, or whether, that perception affected their concept of citizenship and military obligation during the Korean War period.  Using recruiting material, personal narratives and government documents, this paper will help illuminate the changing notions of masculinity, citizenship and motivations for military service during a period that is still frequently viewed as a highpoint for twentieth century American patriotism and a low point for American masculinity.