U.S. Military Recruitment Poster, 1915-1920 Era

The photograph titled On Recruit, dating from around 1915 to 1920, showcases the recruitment efforts of the U.S. military during a pivotal time in American history. This period saw heightened recruitment as the nation prepared to engage in World War I, which officially began for the U.S. in 1917. Captured by the Bain News Service, the image serves as a snapshot of the recruitment process, reflecting the growing need for soldiers and the significant societal shifts occurring as the country mobilized for war.

As part of a larger collection of documentation by news service photographers, this negative not only preserves a visual representation of military recruiting methods but also provides a lens into the experiences and expectations of that era. The push for enlistment during World War I marked a transformative moment in U.S. history, emphasizing the importance of service and sacrifice.