Guys in Uniform - 7 Willing to Learn

1

This series is an example of the more fantastical imaginings of "Guys in Uniform" Studio (GIU). The guards shown here are wearing military helmets representative of ruthless authoritarianism, but the rest of their gear delves into the nooks and crannies of leather fetish and BDSM. 

You can just see the leather apron from the previous post worn under a rubber trench coat on the right. There are also waders and rubber boots, harnesses and corset-like, heavy, leather belts, not to mention the classic white jockstrap seen here struggling to control its contents. The combination is all the more disconcerting because of its strangeness.

 2

 The contrast with the prisoner could not be greater. He is diminutive in stature, dwarfed by the intimidating guards, but like the other models we have seen, he is clearly no wimp. His shoulders are broad and his muscular thighs bulge out of neatly-fitting, traditional, sports shorts. The stretching exercise shown here creates the impression that this is an examination or a punishment fatigue. His close-cropped hair adds a touch of military authenticity.

 3

Stripped of his flattering shorts, the prisoner suddenly seems quite boyish and shy. He submissively places his hands behind his back and averts his eyes from the guard's stony stare. He looks lost and the camera's remote viewpoint accentuates this. However, some judicious cropping (below) brings out the power play.

 3a

This image is actually a late example (1978) of hidden eroticism. At this time, it was quite possible to sell gay magazines showing naked men in high street shops, but arousals and explicit sexual content were not tolerated. Thus, there is no frontal nudity in this scene and the two men are not directly facing each other - or even looking at each other's bodies, it seems.

However, the direction of the prisoner's gaze is carefully angled to suggest he might be or has been looking at the guard's shapely jockstrap, which itself is almost hidden in the shadows. If you click on the full picture to enlarge it, you will also see that the guard's feet are also spaced apart quite suggestively, converting him from a stern custodian to a teasing provocateur (of uncertain intentions). The naive observer would miss this, but it alerts other interested viewers to the possible existence of more explicit and racy material.

4

This is one of the better photographs in the set, with the naked captive exhibiting shapely buttocks and a sexy tuft of hair projecting underneath. I know some of my readers will appreciate the view of his feet too. The multiplicity of straps curving round the guard's buttock cast an erotic light on what otherwise seems like over-dressing.

GIU gave this set the title "Willing to Learn" in one of their magazines, which is a trifle disingenuous but certainly fits this scene where the novice appears to be receiving instruction on where to direct his attention. Or is that crooked finger promising a different, more penetrating lesson for him?

In the original images, the German helmet bears the swastika insignia of the Nazi party, which I have doctored out as being inappropriate for a gay blog in 2016. In 1978 the symbol was associated more with the excesses and cruelty of the Gestapo rather than Fascism in general. The purpose here was to invoke the threat of terrible cruelty, not to promote a political ideology. An IS fighter with his black flag would be the modern equivalent. Tasteless shorthand for terror.

This image was used as part of an advertisement (below) for the racier material and the words bottom right are part of the copy which simply reads "Now! Great Guys, Great Color, Great Prints" 

Underneath, the Studio offers 20 assorted 5"x 5" color prints for $15, 
  the spelling is specifically targeting the US market.

5a

 The novice sets to his task, which is doing lots of press-ups, of course. Well perhaps not!
As a portrayal of submissiveness, this image is hard to beat despite being incomplete. The impressive fleshy, bottom display is humiliating for him and provocative for everyone else. That hint of chubbiness perhaps won't appeal to everyone, but if you like this model, he also appears in GIU8 as a cheeky sailor.

5b

Those dissenters from the chubby fan club might be mollified by the scene that is revealed as we draw back to see the full picture. A cane has suddenly appeared in the hands of the principal guard, and the young man's fleshy buttocks suddenly acquire an altogether differently enticing character. This is a lousy copy, but you can almost sense a surge of excitement inside that lurking guard's jockstrap.  

This guard's sudden transformation from tempting allure to agent of spanking retribution would not surprise the readers of the original magazine, the British Police were still routinely employing entrapment tactics against gay men at this time, that background spices the scene with a cruel authenticity.

The cane has always seemed to me to be the most vicious of spanking implements, ever since I saw an errant classmate reduced to tears in front of the class by a single stroke - and that from a teacher who had up to that point seemed like a genial old man. It's sudden appearance at this stage is raw threat and supremely erotic.

6

In ordering these images I have been primarily guided by the state of undress of the participants, and this image could fit almost anywhere after image 2. I've placed it here because on the original magazine page it is set alongside image 5a. It does make a decent link between 5 and 7 as the young man rises to his feet for the next part of his next ordeal.

The arm wrestling here seems a little bit tame. You can see the potential of the idea, but it's the posing of the prisoner that makes most of these images work and he's not performing so well for us here. It seems rather static and lacking in edge. It probably doesn't help that the youth of the second guard suddenly becomes apparent in this picture (and the next)

7

The prisoner is certainly back on form in this picture. The artificiality of the 'wheelbarrow' pose creates a spectacular visual effect that is quite arty. It will be a familiar arrangement to spanking fans, but it's appearance in this weird pseudo-military scenario is quite unexpected, contrasting with the very basic and unathletic intimidation tactics that have gone before.

It introduces a curious sense of formal ritual implying this unfortunate young man is merely the latest of a succession of pawns subjected to this humiliating process. Like all rituals it's simultaneously ridiculous and scary. It is designed to make him feel exposed and powerless while the guards enjoy the sense of pleasure and superiority that comes from imposing their order on him.  It's very grotesqueness underlines their arbitrary power.

7a

This version of the picture is of higher resolution and clearer, but it has come from a different, 'mainstream' magazine and has been self-censored by the publishers. However, you can see how the wheelbarrow position enhances the enticing plumpness of the target area.

 

8

After all the intimidating build-up, the final restraint and punishment is portrayed more symbolically, and this composition is quite balletic. The prisoner's out-flung arm and eye contact with the camera, as though appealing to us for help, successfully conjures up a sense of pain, fear and desperation to escape. The way the guards hold open the prisoner's legs in these last two pictures is highly erotic, even if we can't see very much down there.

9

In this image, the principal guard has uncovered his cock. It proves to be moderately aroused (but still pointing downwards, which was OK). You can see his jockstrap pouch has been pushed to one side. The pose of the young novice seems the epitome of submission. On his knees with legs wide open and arms folded behind his back, he looks up respectfully at his Master who towers above

 
......and I do like that tuft of bum hair.

10

 

Another, highly effective portrayal of domination and submission. The Guard's pose is more relaxed in this image and more effective than the rather tense shoulders in 9. The prisoner bows his head and shows him his neck in an exceptional act of resignation to whatever is coming his way. As a final treat we even get a glimpse of his scrotum.

11

I interpret this image as the exhausted prisoner being returned to the cells, with a guard of honour out of respect for his endurance, but there are other ways of fitting it into the sequence. Interestingly the second guard is reduced to a beast of burden here which makes you wonder what else his colleague might have in store for him.

~

This set of images by "Guys in Uniform" Studio must be one of the most impressive of all the 'Royale' genre. Yes, the posing is a little stilted, the models less than God-like and the photography not quite as luscious as we have become accustomed to these days. The clothing the guards wear is somewhat bizarre, but that strangeness is threatening in itself and the pure fetishistic essence of these images - domination and submission - is startlingly focussed and is not overly impaired by the cautious treatment of the sexual elements. I would love to see what a photographer like Justin Monroe might make of this subject.

I have produced a modified set of these images
that play on the sense of strangeness (Weird Punishment)

 

Go to Guys In Uniform - Part 8

Guys In Uniform - 6 The Leather Leotard

Servant of Leather

The set showing two Soldiers acting out domination scenarios, which we saw in the last post, continues in an unexpected direction. The submissive man helps the other to dress in a curious leather garment. It's something like a heavy apron. It appears in a number of GIU pictures which I have and appears to have a huge fetishistic significance. This is conveyed to some extent by the ritualistic feel of the dressing scene above, which is suggestive of a classical soldier donning armour prior to combat. 

 
.

Leather Suit
 

This picture shows the garment more clearly. It's worn by a different model who has a very chunky build, and it's obvious that only a big man should attempt to wear it. Even this man is in danger of being overwhelmed by it. From one standpoint there is an air of intimidation and menace, the bib top prompts mental connections with blacksmiths and even butchers. But there's also a feeling that this strong man is actually constrained by the garment, he is a servant of it. It diminishes his manhood, and his face is the face of a prisoner. 

 

Go to Guys in Uniform - Part 7

Guys In Uniform - 5 Two guys in rolled-up shorts

Two Big Guys In Uniform

GIU models were regular guys, the two shown here have ordinary, imperfect faces and bodies but big masculine personalities. GIU's odd uniform of rolled up shorts and gaiters makes another appearance. Whatever the aesthetics of the look, there is a sense of sex and danger in this image. It looks as though GIU was trying to use standard military wear to achieve a 'rough' version of the 'tight shorts' look, shown in the picture below.

.

 

This picture is not by GIU, but this look was a standard pin-up device from the 50s onwards. I won't sully my pages by showing one here, but you may have seen a similar pin-up pictures of women in tight shorts and vest like top - often posing with a large beach ball. The shorts of the man on the left actually create a similar effect to the female version - but look much better, of course. 

 

Incidentally, this picture of the two sailors made a great impression on me when I first saw it as a youth. The shorts were legitimate outdoor wear but wearing them so tight with revealing bulges and undone zips seemed shockingly sexual to me then.

.

Submission

Picture 3 is an impressive submission image. The implication of boot licking isn't really essential, nor is the nudity, the power of the image comes from the kneeling model. With his head resting on the floor and hands voluntarily placed behind his back, he makes himself defenceless and totally submissive. The upright military posture and casual downward look of his companion provides the yang to his yin. I marvel at the ability of this studio to create such memorable power images. 

 

Go to Guys In Uniform - Part 6

Guys in Uniform - 4 Athletes disciplined

Guys In Uniform - Athletes Receiving a Reprimand

Guys in Uniform often employed conventional military power relationships in their scenarios. Here, two soldiers dressed in sports gear/gym kit are reprimanded by a uniformed soldier in what appears to be a formal disciplinary hearing. 

This picture is a bit stiff, but that reflects the military formality of the scene. The man on the left has impressive chunky legs and his submissive, hangdog look is very effective. His companion looks less concerned, seeming to smirk.

These are different models to previous Guys-In-Uniform posts, but we have seen both these vests before and the sports shoes. The reuse of items of clothing is valuable in verifying that these pictures are from Guys-In-Uniform Studio (GIU). 

.

Guys in Uniform - Athletes Made to Strip Naked and Grovel

In the second picture, the scene has moved beyond regulation treatment. The hunkier soldier is now naked, revealing a stunning upper body physique. He is crawling on the floor, away from under the desk, as though he has just been punished.

His colleague is also naked but appears to have defected to the other side. Arms crossed, he watches a third young soldier (clad in Guys-In-Uniform, regulation tight vest and shorts). He is being humiliated and punished with an ear tweaking.

~

I don't have the rest of this set, but it looks as if the offenders are being forcibly undressed at the desk and possibly bent over it to be spanked. There's some stunning imagery here, although the overall composition is a bit confusing. If anyone has the missing bits, I'd love to see them!

 

Go to Guys In Uniform - Part 5

Guys In Uniform - 3 Boxer caught with porn

'Guys in Uniform' had a flair for using clothing to show off the models in a sexy way, but they didn't just rely on tight shorts. I talked about the numbered vests in the last post. In these pictures, the guys wear those vests to highlight below-the-waist nudity.

1. Boxer Relaxing

The first picture looks like a scene setter, a boxer has dropped his shorts whilst enjoying a porn mag featuring a sailor (more of whom later!). Obviously, discovery and punishment will follow. The clingy vest highlights his upper body but leaves the groin uncovered. At this time in the UK, nudity began to be OK, but erections were not. This compromise is both sexy and attractive, but it pushes at the boundary. The just-visible jar of Vaseline is a classic 'hidden clue' doubling up the sexual charge for those who see it and understand what it means. For modern eyes, the natural-looking pubes are refreshing.

So much about this 'simple' picture is clever. The boxing shorts with their distinctive label and chunky waistband are emblematic of manhood and toughness. In this pose, they also seem to suggest ankle restraints. The soles together position of the feet is a classic unconscious, awkward, youthful habit which charms the older viewer. The resulting open legged stance produces some nice shapely curves in his legs.

2. Made to Grovel

 

Picture 2 shows the same vest, but not the same model (I think!). This is the best shot I have showing how the GUI tight vest brings out the shape of a fit body, including the parts it doesn't cover.

The khaki shorts, rolled up to seem briefer, are another 'Guys in Uniform' icon. As a compromise between authentic clothing and sexy apparel, it's not completely successful. I've always wondered why they didn't roll them up on the outside, which was a common practice in that era not only for shorts but for jeans and shirt sleeves as well. (James Dean style).

The gaiters worn by the man with the cane are another slightly odd feature, they serve no purpose with shorts but as a form of strapping there is a bondage connection, I suppose. The same comment applies to the riding boots (on the right) although they do work as fetish garments here.

Although a cane is being brandished, this picture is really about bullying, domination and vulnerability. The partially undressed state of the men is sexual of course but also makes it seem like normal discipline has broken down. This slightly disturbing 'edge' is evident in other pictures by this studio and no doubt contributed to their downfall.

Apart from this, the mitchmen motto 'putting men in their place' could hardly be better illustrated.

 

Go to Guys In Uniform, Part 4

Guys in Uniform 2 - Caning by Numbers

1 Caning by Numbers

Another Guys in Uniform gym punishment series, this time it's a uniformed soldier handing it out. You'll recognise the tight shorts, the numbered vests feature in several other sets as well. They cling and show off the model's bodies, but the numbers are depersonalising as well, heightening the sense of submission. Another nice pair of legs, but the dunces cap doesn't really work for me.

2 Jump To It!

In the second picture, the man receiving the punishment (number 4) is restrained by cords on his wrists, quite daring even in the 70s. Much of this set seems rather 'posed' and not quite as sexy as the previous one we looked at, but this image capturing the victim jumping in the immediate aftermath of a stroke is original and rather good. 

At the end of the set, the lads turn on their uniformed tormentor and give him a taste of his own punishment - a favourite device of GIU.

~

The use of serving Guardsmen to make this set led to a full-blown scandal in 1976

 

~

 

Go to Part 3 of Guys in Uniform

Guys In Uniform 1 - Cane stripes

Royale (1950's) and Guys in Uniform (1970's) were two studios that specialised in producing sexy pictures with a strong flavour of military discipline. The pictures pushed at the boundaries of acceptability for their times, and the men in them were reputedly genuine servicemen. Both of these facets shocked the establishment and provoked repeated police raids and prosecutions, which eventually caused them to collapse. There's an interesting article at milism about their history and the connections between the two studios.

They produced some outstanding images which have always inspired me. Although they inevitably reflect their times, they still have impact today, and in this series of articles I review some of my favourites. 

.

1 Ready for Punishment

The chances are you will have seen today's images before. They come from a set produced by 'Guys in Uniform' and is probably the best known example of their work - with good reason! The situation of two men in PT kit up for punishment with a cane is erotic enough for spankers! You are immediately struck by the tight white shorts which are lit to show off the target areas very well, and the glimpse of bulges between the legs is amazing, especially for an era when nudity was a no no. We can see that these are men, not boys!

Tight white shorts were a universal icon in gay imagery at this time, these days a picture like this would feature white underwear, but otherwise the image is timeless. The hems of their shorts show off chunky thighs, while the ankle socks with blue hoops (also classic sports wear in their day) reveal solid calves - these men are fit!

2 Waiting his turn

They way these men are dressed is intended to reflect the military setting where discipline would indeed be administered in gym kit, underwear would be entirely inappropriate. In picture 2 punishment is in progress, but my eye is drawn to the man facing the wall, he has a beautiful figure and the upright posture (a cross between at attention and at ease) is manly but submissive. It creates a visual effect that is a treat for neck freaks like me. The bare backside is a departure from military standards, but is well worth it in this man's case.

The man wielding the cane is less convincing, his shorts are not really shorts at all
 and his face and hair don't conjure up the look of a military disciplinarian
 - You need a Nick Moretti or a Spencer Reed for that!

.

More Guys in Uniform in the next post.