And Air Force officials said that like all recruiting ads, the campaign emphasizes the uniqueness of an individual military service, but is not meant to put down the other branches.
When it comes to asking for money, the military services must walk a narrow path. The Pentagon has large planning and acquisition staffs that set national security priorities. And Congress requests a "wish list" each year to highlight the needs of the various services that did not receive Defense Department funding.
But it is against the law for the military to directly lobby Congress for money.
To some members of Congress, the recruiting ads look suspiciously like a lobbying effort.
Rep John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, called the advertising campaign "outrageous" and questioned in a recent letter to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates whether it amounted to an illegal lobbying effort. Gates asked Air Force officials to talk to Murtha, who said through a spokesman that his concerns have been addressed.
Other lawmakers continue to be uneasy. In a statement, Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) said the Air Force responded to his concerns but he still believed Congress should "thoroughly examine" the ads. "Congress has an obligation to make sure that our taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly and appropriately," Boyd said.
Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) questioned top Air Force leaders about the ad in a March 11 hearing. Jim Specht, a spokesman, said Lewis still considers the ads part of an effort to secure a larger share of the budget.
"It may be within the letter of the law in terms of lobbying Congress, but it is way past the spirit of the law," Specht said.
Lewis is particularly incensed over ads that have seemed to target the Washington area. Two full-page newspaper ads ran in the Washington Post, which has a very low circulation outside the capital region. That suggests the ads were "strictly designed to lobby Congress," Specht said.
Suspicion within the Pentagon is fueled by perceptions that the Air Force has been pressing too aggressively for more money to update aging air fleets.
Gates has not seen the advertisements and has not singled out the Air Force for criticism, a senior Pentagon official said. But Gates expresses frustration whenever he sees a military service pushing Congress for extra funds, the official said.
