The US Army’s 4th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Group has raised eyebrows with the release of a striking recruitment video that has been deemed “chilling” by sources familiar with the content. This release is part of a series of controversial enlistment ads aimed at bolstering the military’s psychological operations capabilities, following a Pentagon report that identified a significant shortage of personnel trained in psychological warfare to combat rival information campaigns.
The newly launched video employs a series of vivid, thought-provoking visual montages to showcase the unit’s mission of shaping enemy perceptions and behaviors. It begins with a vintage television screen featuring a ghostly figure from the 1930 cartoon “Swing You Sinners!” before transitioning through scenes of forests, civilians, armed soldiers, and a striking phrase: “We are everywhere.”
A narrator in the video underscores a less conventional aspect of warfare: “There’s another force applied in combat that we generally don’t think of as a weapon of war. That weapon is words. Words are weapons … This is psychological warfare.” Historical references pepper the footage, including insights about the “Ghost Army,” a World War II deception unit known for using inflatable decoys and tactical ruses to mislead German troops. This legacy is juxtaposed with modern imagery depicting masked soldiers and aerial views of military training exercises.
The video also taps into internet culture, incorporating symbols like Pepe the Frog dressed as a clown to resonate with younger audiences. Subtitles added to the montage assert, “Anything we touch is a weapon,” reinforcing the unit’s multifaceted approach to psychological operations.
Towards the end of the video, viewers are directed to a QR code leading them to the Army’s PSYOP hiring portal, emphasizing the group’s urgency in recruiting new personnel.
Stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, the 4th PSYOP Group seeks candidates with analytical and research skills capable of employing critical thinking to influence audiences across various mediums—verbally, digitally, and visually. Prospective soldiers undergo a rigorous 10-day assessment for mental resilience, physical fitness, and communication abilities, followed by an extensive 41-week Psychological Operations Qualification Course. This training covers crucial topics, including human psychology, cultural analysis, influence techniques, and ethical considerations in operations.
“PSYOP Soldiers help ensure decision-makers, partners, and populations receive the right message at the right time,” stated the 1st Special Forces Command in a social media post accompanying the video. This emphasis on effective communication underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare, where the battle for minds is as critical as the battle for territory.
