For years now, the US Army has struggled to get young people interested in joining their ranks. It’s seen the military do all sorts of things to lure in the youth, including making official army video games. Now, they’re trying to tap into esports.
So says Staff Sergeant Ryan Meaux, in a post on Reddit. Meaux says that the army will have two esports teams, whose primary focus – other than playing games of course- will be to make the military more relatable to young people.
“We are actually in the process of standing up two new competitive outreach teams — an Army eSports team and an Army Functional Fitness team. Both teams will be part of the Marketing and Engagement Brigade based at Fort Knox. They will operate much like the Golden Knights and the Army Marksmanship Unit to create awareness about the Army and the opportunities it provides. Both teams will represent the Army in competitions and events across the nation.
The eSports team members also will be involved in beta testing for Army apps and training and simulation software, which helps demonstrate some of the advanced technology the Army uses. Soldiers have expressed a strong desire to represent the Army in competitive gaming. They have shown Army leaders how gaming can help us connect to young people and show them a side of Soldiers they may not expect. This initiative will help make our Soldiers more visible and relatable to today’s youth. “
This comes as the US Army has missed its recruitment goal for the year, thanks to low unemployment rates and a shirking pool of potential soliders. So now, the army is looking to use video games, and specifically competitive video games, as the latest in recruitment tools.
Like esports?
Check out esports central
Last Updated: November 14, 2018
Guz
November 14, 2018 at 17:15
Maybe they just getting sick of going to actual war, I will never understand Americas military obsessed culture, then again Ive never been in the military to begin with so maybe I’m missing something?
Original Heretic
November 14, 2018 at 17:48
Haven’t they been using shooting games for years to train their soldiers? Now they using them to recruit, too?
Worries me a tad. Who’s to say that they don’t want gamers to control their next gen robots? Robotic soldiers, remotely controlled by professional level gamers. I’d bet my fucking house that the US military has at the very least thought about such a program.
Guz
November 15, 2018 at 09:31
Titan Fall?
Original Heretic
November 15, 2018 at 09:39
I reckon more like remotely controlled units.
Robot wars are coming!
Guz
November 15, 2018 at 09:49
Not a fan of remote controlled drones, I did read an article a while back the china is pushing is AI development for militaristic applications. AI Drones that can decide to kill people that’s what scares me #skynet
Ghost In The Rift
November 15, 2018 at 07:33
Have you seen how poorly the US and the Army treats their Veterans whom have lost all sorts of body parts and left to live on the streets….and they literally gave everything…rather concentrate on fixing that first before running to the younger generation with controller and keyboard in hand screaming “Your Country needs you”
CrAiGiSh
November 15, 2018 at 08:38
Merica …
Magoo
November 15, 2018 at 11:22
PN: Sergeant TalibanSlayer, I’m hit, I’m hit! Go on without me, save yourselves!
ST: God damnit Private Noob! Better get your fat, dirty thumb on that button and respawn or so help me I will drop your sorry virtual ass for Private NoScope420 so hard that even your Fifa characters will die!
ST: I’ve never met a more pissy bunch of feeders in my life! Now what are you, Squadron 9?!
S9: We are little bitches Sergeant General Sir!
ST: And what did I do last night?!
S9: Slept with our mothers Sergeant General Sir!
ST: You damn right! Now git gud or kys!
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
November 15, 2018 at 15:30
With technology definitely heading into more robotized warfare, the best soldiers would be the best at hand-eye co-ordination. Not good at games necessarily. I think they’re going for that skillset.