---
title: Joe Dope is a regular ace at 'cleaning' that rifle apace
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/joe-dope-cleaning-rifle-sand-1941/
description: 'Rifle-care cartoon for soldiers in the Joe Dope series: caricatured soldiers sit with disassembled rifles and cleaning rods while Joe Dope, front right.'
section: Collection
---

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3. Joe Dope is a regular ace at 'cleaning' that rifle apace

[![Joe Dope is a regular ace at 'cleaning' that rifle apace, 1941 US poster: Rifle-care cartoon for soldiers in the Joe Dope](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/joe-dope-cleaning-rifle-sand-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/joe-dope-cleaning-rifle-sand-1941.jpg)

# Joe Dope is a regular ace at 'cleaning' that rifle apace

Rifle-care cartoon for soldiers in the Joe Dope series: caricatured soldiers sit with disassembled rifles and cleaning rods while Joe Dope, front right, shoulders a rifle with a sergeant beside him. The verse and 'Don't be a dope!' use name-calling aimed at the careless soldier, softened by humour.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Name-calling](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/name-calling/)

## Text on the object

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

```
JOE DOPE is a regular ace
At "cleaning" that rifle apace -
But the parts he gets sand on
With reckless abandon
Will jam and blow up in his face !
Don't be a dope!
HANDLE EQUIPMENT RIGHT !
[signature: Will Eisner, with the words ORDNANCE and WARRANT OFF.]
[imprint:] ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, U. S. ARMY
```

[← I'm tired of taking the rap for missing a German or Jap](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/joe-dope-bomb-fins-poster-1941/) [Don't be a dope! Handle equipment right! →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/joe-dope-headspace-1941/)

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