Comments on: Would video games get you to join the Army?

The U.S. Army is using a video game center to inform people about Army life. But would video games be enough to get you to join the Armed Forces?

[styymy]

Another new tactic for recruiting now is that when its too difficult to find people to enlist, current/former gang members become the new desirables. Its easy for them to take care of the criminal past, but then you have a situation where rival gangs members are put into the same units and we all know what happens once these guys find out that they've been bunking with a rival.

[FKD91]

y'all missed the worst part of it man. Its right across from this skatepark in the mall and its attractin the kids into this. That aint right

[ScottJG24]

At the 2008 Indiana State Fair, the US Army Experience Center was set up in a large tent and building. I along with my younger step-brothers were in one of the helicopters. I say that it was really neat. We each received a free America's Army DVD game. I think that what the Army does for the public is neat but from what I've heard that it is not realistic where those who are playing the game aren't getting killed.

[Dragoniies]

MSSlayer, your a freaking tool. I joined the military because I love my country. After I got back from my first tour in Iraq, my wife and I had a conversation about the use of the word "Hero," cause I didn't feel like one cause I didn't do anything heroic. But she told me that didn't matter because I was willing to put myself in situations that ******* like you, won't.

[hack12419]

I have to laugh and also throw-up in my mouth a little as a read a number of these posts. First, to deride the average soldier, sailor, marine or airman as ignorant of stupid is fairly ignorant. The vast majority is better educated (ref. http://www.defenselink.mil/prhome/poprep2005/contents/contents.html) and to progress in the military for any time requires a great deal of on the job education as well as getting advance degrees. Two, to say that most military members are not patriotic is also incorrect. The vast majority of soldiers I had the pleasure of serving with joined because there was an element of patriotism in their joining. It may not have been the sole factor but it was a factor. I could go on at length, but one final thought. We are an all volunteer force, no one is forcing anyone to join, and the barrier is even higher today because we are at war and you have to be blind not to know what you can expect in the military. We should not be surprised if the Army chooses to use a medium that most young people can understand and interact with as a recruiting tool, but we also should not underestimate the intelligence of those who look at the military as a good career. It may not be for you, but then you don't know the stories of those who are choosing to join either.

[Republic512]

I'd tell them to **** the mall.