The Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds and the Silent Drill Team/Drum and Bugle Corps for the Marines and other like organizations are wastes of scarce resources.
Yes, these are a great military recruitment program.
Chapter 7 Use of Military Assets for Public Affairs
7-1. Musical, aerial, ceremonial, and troop units— general.
a. Army commanders at all levels are encouraged to provide Army marching units, bands, color guards, drill teams, ceremonial units, other personnel formations or units, aerial demonstrations, static displays, exhibits and similar support for functions conducted in the public domain. Such units shall be used to maximize the number of public events that can be supported
“Civilian-sponsored public events such as parades, rallies, and concerts intended to stimulate interest in the Armed Forces, support the Army recruiting mission, stimulate patriotism, or celebrate a national holiday.”
http://www.carson.army.mil/pao/AR360-1/chapter07.html
United States Marine Corps Recruiting Commercial HD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ6M1pGsUgc
“They are highly effective marketing tools.”
Links? Articles?
If someone wants to join the military to play instruments or appear at NASCAR, I question how effective they are at building a fighting force to kill and destroy.
Perhaps you can fill in the blanks with something to back up your thought...?
AMEN! I saw the Thuderbirds as a cub scout in 1976 and later enlisted BECAUSE OF THAT PERFORMANCE. To date I have served 26 years, including two separate tours overseas in Iraq (OIF 1) and Kuwait. Do you think the government got its money’s worth out of that performance?