'Top Gun: Maverick' - the Pentagon recruitment drive

Recruitment stalls have mushroomed across movie halls. Navy spokesperson Commander Dave Benham is hopeful. "We think Top Gun: Maverick will certainly raise awareness and should positively contribute to individual decisions to serve in the Navy." With the film running throughout the country, the Navy's recruitment goals for the 2022 financial year of 40,000 enlistees and 3,800 officers in both active and reserve components may be that much easier.

Patriotic publications have also delighted in the recruitment pap of the new film, seeing it as eminently more suitable and chest-beating than advertising gimmicks such as the 2-minute video featuring Corporal Emma Malonelord. Released last year, it features an individual who operates the US Patriotic Missile Air Defence system. From the outset, we are told about a "little girl raised by two moms" in California. "Although I had a fairly typical childhood, took ballet, played violin, I also marched for equality. I like to think I've been defending freedom from an early age."

The video is also pap of a different type. It shows that those freedom loving types in defence can also be musical, balletic products of lesbian unions and peaceful protest. "Emma's reason for joining up is selfish," states a sneering piece in The Federalist. "There is zero in the video to inspire any kind of bravery, sacrifice, duty, honor, integrity, excellence, teamwork, or respect." Senator Ted Cruz was blunter in his assessment. "Holy crap. Perhaps a woke, emasculated military is not the best idea".

Best leave it to the likes of Cruise the patriot scientologist, lubricated with tips and much assistance from the Pentagon, to give their version of service in the US military. Even if it is deceptive, controlled tripe.