---
title: Foremost! The Engineers Need Skilled Mechanics and Tradesmen
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/foremost-the-engineers-need-skilled-mechanics-1918/
description: A column of helmeted soldiers in silhouette marches toward a smoking horizon above the headline 'The Engineers,' with an offer to put a civilian trade
section: Collection
---

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3. Foremost! The Engineers Need Skilled Mechanics and Tradesmen

[![Foremost! The Engineers Need Skilled Mechanics and Tradesmen, 1918 US poster: A column of helmeted soldiers in silhouette](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/foremost-the-engineers-need-skilled-mechanics-1918.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/foremost-the-engineers-need-skilled-mechanics-1918.jpg)

# Foremost! The Engineers Need Skilled Mechanics and Tradesmen

A column of helmeted soldiers in silhouette marches toward a smoking horizon above the headline 'The Engineers,' with an offer to put a civilian trade to use in uniform. The tell is the pairing of the skilled-trades appeal with the marching column: the recruit's existing identity as a mechanic is carried into the army. Contact details for enlisting are printed at the lower right.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Plain folks](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/plain-folks/) [Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
FOREMOST!
THE ENGINEERS
NEED SKILLED MECHANICS AND TRADESMEN

Serve Your Country
and Follow Your Trade
at the Same Time.

ENLIST NOW IN THE
FIRST REPLACEMENT
REGIMENT OF ENGINEERS

FOR INFORMATION ADDRESS
POST COMMANDER
WASHINGTON BARRACKS
D.C.

[printer's line at bottom edge, partly legible: CONTRIBUTED BY NATIONAL ... CO. N.Y.]
```

[← For Your Own Sake, For the Sake of Those You Love: Hold On to Uncle Sam's Insurance](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/for-your-own-sake-hold-on-to-uncle-sams-insurance-1918/) [Four Years in the Fight: The Women of France. We Owe Them Houses of Cheer →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/four-years-in-the-fight-women-of-france-1918/)

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