Review of Do Something Amazing

The multimedia component of the U.S. Air Force’s well-designed site, Do Something Amazing is a promotional multiplex of exciting videos designed to show prospective recruits what it’s like to be a pilot, from takeoff to air raids. Launched September 18, 2006, the site is part of a new media campaign to boost awareness and numbers in the ranks of this unit of the Armed Forces. 

The tagline says it best: “You want explosions? We deliver.” There is nothing on this site but extremely well-shot videos of the Air Force in action, whether its clips of Thunderbirds, the bomb squad, the Raptor, in-flight refueling, air drops, special ops, security forces, or explosions.

Some sections have Airmen Profiles, giving the viewer insight into who exactly they’re watching in action. Others have interactive bonus features with videos that show you what it’s like to go on a mission in normal lighting, thermal vision, and night vision, teach you how to operate a bomb robot, and allow you to refuel a plane in mid-air at different heights. All of these short videos (few are longer than 30 seconds) are displayed on a stylized, extraordinarily fast-loading page that elevates the website from cool to very cool.

Despite the moral implications about creating a promotional website which appeals to potential recruits with videos of nameless fake enemy bunkers getting obliterated under the pressure of explosion after explosion, operating a bomb robot with your mouse is really fun.