--- title: Self-improvement is the patriotic duty of every merchant seaman url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/self-improvement-patriotic-duty-merchant-seaman-1944/ description: 'Recruiting-for-training sheet: a portrait of a uniformed officer sits beside a signed message from the War Shipping Administration''s deputy administrator.' section: Collection --- 1. [Home](https://propagandaarchive.org/) 2. [Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/) 3. Self-improvement is the patriotic duty of every merchant seaman [![Self-improvement is the patriotic duty of every merchant seaman, 1944 US poster: Recruiting-for-training sheet](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/self-improvement-patriotic-duty-merchant-seaman-1944.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/self-improvement-patriotic-duty-merchant-seaman-1944.jpg) # Self-improvement is the patriotic duty of every merchant seaman Recruiting-for-training sheet: a portrait of a uniformed officer sits beside a signed message from the War Shipping Administration's deputy administrator, with six pictured panels of classes, lodging and meals. The technique is testimonial (a named officer's signature) plus card-stacking: pay, promotion and comfort are listed, with no mention of hazards. ## Propaganda techniques used in this poster [Testimonial](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/testimonial/) [Card stacking](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/card-stacking/) ## Text on the object Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked ``` "Self-improvement is the Patriotic duty of every Merchant Seaman..." With danger and hardship his constant companions, the American seaman's courage and devotion to duty is laying the foundation for victory and a better world tomorrow. This Nation, recognizing the great debt it owes the American seaman, has already taken steps to repay that debt. It has established educational facilities and provided opportunities for advancement which the seaman never possessed before. It is the duty of every seaman to take advantage of these opportunities for self-improvement. Today, it is not only his patriotic duty, but a personal obligation he owes his family and himself. [signature: Edward Macauley] Captain, USN, Retired Deputy Administrator, War Shipping Administration You Earn—While You Learn Thorough machine-shop practice, electricity, etc., are taught Engineer Officer Candidates. A. B. Enrollees learn steering, lights, etc. The intricacies of navigation. Uniforms and modern lodgings are provided Officer Candidates. Excellent food carefully prepared is served. Graduates are qualified to sit for examinations upon graduation. [signature: G. Ruggiero] TODAY is a day of Opportunity for the American merchant seaman. Never before have his chances for rapid promotion, increased wages, or self-improvement been as good as they are right now! Every day when a new ship slides down the ways, it means another addition to the greatest merchant fleet ever built and operated by any nation in history. Every new ship means a day nearer to victory, provided . . . there are men and officers to man it. Every seaman aboard ship has an equal opportunity to raise his grade. Training stations have been carefully planned and established to provide you with the necessary education to go up the ladder to success. Now you can become a Ship's Officer or Able-Bodied Seaman in a few months, whereas formerly it required years. Your Government has made all this possible to help you and your country. Already, thousands of merchant seamen, men like yourself, have enrolled and successfully completed their courses of study in the United States Maritime Service Upgrading and Officer Candidate Schools. Today, these men are the officers of many of the new and modern vessels you see in every port. Remember, you earn while you learn. Enrollees in the U. S. Maritime Service Officer Candidate and Upgrading Schools receive pay and subsistence allowances. Enroll now. It is not only your patriotic duty but a duty you owe your country, yourself, and your family to improve yourself! TO QUALIFY FOR UPGRADING For Able Seaman: Graduates of a USMS Apprentice Seaman's School with 3 months' sea time or Ordinary Seamen with 6 months' deck service are qualified to enroll for A. B. upgrading courses. For Ship's Officer: Seamen with 14 months' sea time in deck or engine departments are qualified to enroll as Officer Candidates for Officer's School. Consult Your USMS Enrolling Office or Write United States Maritime Service TRAINING ORGANIZATION, WAR SHIPPING ADMINISTRATION, WASHINGTON 25, D. C. [emblem: UNITED STATES MARITIME SERVICE] U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944 564047 ``` [← See your dentist](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/see-your-dentist-public-health-service-1944/) [Seven who came back: nurses are needed now for service in the Army Nurse Corps! →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/seven-who-came-back-army-nurse-corps-1944/) ## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques - [Behistun (Bisotun) rock relief and trilingual inscription of Darius I: the king, two attendants and the bound rebel leaders beneath the winged figure of Ahuramazda](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/behistun-relief-darius-and-rebels-521bce/) (Achaemenid Empire · 0000 · Card stacking, Name-calling, Testimonial). Content note: Shows bound captives before the king, and the inscription records the mutilation and public execution of rebel leaders, as the king's own account. - [Tomb of Darius I at Naqsh-e Rustam: the king in relief beside his inscription DNa, c. 490 BCE](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/dna-inscription-darius-i-naqsh-e-rustam-490bce/) (Achaemenid Empire · 0000 · Testimonial, Card stacking) - [Seated limestone statue of Hatshepsut as king, with feminine royal titles on the throne, reassembled from fragments broken up at Deir el-Bahri](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/hatshepsut-seated-statue-limestone-met-1458bce/) (New Kingdom Egypt · 0000 · Transfer, Testimonial) - [Bronze sestertius of Gaius (Caligula), reverse S P Q R P P OB CIVES SERVATOS in an oak wreath](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-caligula-ob-cives-servatos-0037/) (Roman Empire · 0037 · Testimonial, Transfer) - [Bronze sestertius of Trajan, reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C, the emperor on horseback riding down an enemy](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-trajan-optimo-principi-0103/) (Roman Empire · 0103 · Testimonial, Glittering generalities) - [Seljuq gold dinar of Sanjar, dated 493 AH, with the Abbasid caliph named on one face](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/seljuq-gold-dinar-sanjar-caliph-name-1099/) (Great Seljuk Empire · 1099 · Testimonial) - [Estoire d'Eracles page with Bernard of Clairvaux preaching the Second Crusade in the initial (Walters W.137, fol. 180v)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eracles-bernard-preaching-second-crusade-w137-1275/) (France · 1275 · Testimonial) - [Opening page of the Estoire d'Eracles (William of Tyre in French), with the Crucifixion and Pope Urban II preaching the First Crusade in the initial (Walters W.137, fol. 1r)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eracles-urban-ii-preaching-first-crusade-w137-1275/) (France · 1275 · Testimonial, Transfer)