Ask Your Postmaster or Apply at Navy Recruiting Station
A text-only panel sets out pay rates, a free outfit, pensions, family death benefit and promotion to Annapolis, closing with addresses of the New York recruiting station. The tell is the selection of material benefits and security ('no strikes or layoffs') alongside the claim that the Navy 'was the very first to get in the war'; risks are not mentioned.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1917
- Period
- First World War
- Made by
- U.S. Navy Recruiting Station, New York
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Wilson Administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Recruit
- Themes
- War and the military, Labor, Economy and finance
- Event
- World War I
- Regime
- Wilson administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives (NARA), RG 4 (U.S. Food Administration), World War I Posters (NAID 512439), retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- NARA Unrestricted; hosted by owner decision
U.S. Navy Recruiting Station, New York. National Archives and Records Administration, 4-P-285.
Text on the object
offers American citizens of good character, of ages 17 to 34 inclusive, in sound physical condition, the best chance to SERVE THEIR COUNTRY. Navy men and Navy ships are abroad now. The Navy was the very first to get in the war, and is fighting "over there" side by side with our allies. Your pay is clear money and you have no expenses when you enlist. An outfit worth $60 is furnished and should last a year. A man's pay starts at $32.60 a month. All men have an opportunity of learning the trade of seaman, and that trade, as American shipping expands, is bound to be a good one. Men having trades enlist at pay varying from $41.00 to $77.50, and their advancement is certain and rapid. There are no strikes or layoffs. You are taken care of when you are sick, and your pay still goes on. If disabled, whether in time of peace or war, you are given a liberal pension. If you should lose your life in the line of duty, your family gets half a year's pay. Every year 100 men are picked from the ranks to go to the Naval Academy, Annapolis, to be made officers ASK YOUR POSTMASTER OR APPLY AT, or WRITE TO NAVY RECRUITING STATION, 34 East 23d St. NEW YORK 130 West St. AND FULL INFORMATION WILL BE FURNISHED YOU. [handwritten pencil mark at lower left, partly legible: 2-85]
