Judge — July 28, 1917 — page 14: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a WWI-era recruitment cartoon from *Judge* magazine. It depicts a well-dressed woman persuading a man (likely a young suitor or romantic interest) to enlist voluntarily in military service. The tropical setting with palm fronds suggests an intimate, private moment—perhaps meant to appeal to masculine pride or romance. The caption's message is propagandistic: volunteer now so you can *choose* your service branch, implying that waiting means forced conscription with no choice. This reflects the tension between voluntary and mandatory enlistment during America's WWI mobilization. The cartoon uses domestic/romantic pressure as a recruitment tool, suggesting women should encourage men to enlist. It's subtle psychological manipulation dressed as romantic persuasion.