Week 8 US Military & Gaming

Some believe that games and gaming simulations this form are not beneficial in real hand to hand combat. Others say US Military gaming stimulates these individuals through simulation. Every one has a different opinion or view on this subject. There's even a website dedicated to Department of Defense game developers. This site Department of Defense Game Developer's Community, which is sponsored by Darwars, allows its members to network within their organization. This community has conferences, game competitions, workshops and they also have links to articles and new information available to it's members. As I said earlier, there are a lot of gamers that support this genre of gaming and just as much that disagree. How do you feel about it?

The US military, army and CIA have invested time and money into developing this new training strategy. This new form of training aids in developing soldiers in leading and organizational skills. These games allow the soldiers to prepare or enhance their leadership skills so when put in actual combat they know how to be an effective leader. These simulations allow them to make critical errors, learn from their mistakes, and improve or master their skills. These game also aid in recruiting. Games such as America's Army, and Guard Force can be downloaded or picked up at recruitment offices. These games give the prospects first hand view of possible scenarios and a glimpse into the career or position they may be seeking. These games are much more then just games! These games are becoming the new recruitment aid, as well as the teachers assistant. According to a review, Military Training is Just A Game on wired.com, the US military games are eliminating old training techniques such as realistic cockpits and hydraulics and saving the country money, while reaching out to a broader audience.

Carrie McLeroy wrote an article in Soldiers Magazine, History of Military Gaming. This article discusses how games for military training has pre-dated back 5,000 years ago. The military began using using grids and stones and have now revolutionized their techniques and created real life simulations that adapt to today's needs. These simulations allow the military to aid in the development of these individuals hand eye coordination, teamwork building, and decision making skills, as well as to be able to recognize a perceived threat. According to Popular Mechanics Wii All You Can Be? Why the Military Needs the Gaming Industry, these games are crucial in the development of coordination. These games and their controllers give the prospects or recruits first hand knowledge in shooting various types of guns, handling different equipment and reoccurring hand movement and coordination. These games expose them to to pre-military training, allow them to work hands on to enhance their skills with the new technology and equipment continuously being released. However, are these games harming our children and preparing them for anarchy & chaos, by producing a new generation of youth pre-disposed to violence and war preparation? Are these games relevant? Gamasutra seems to believe just the opposite in the article Atomic Games' Tamte Defends Six Days Relevance. Gamasutra believes these games are relevant and depict the real life experiences a soldier will and may have had. They also give us an opportunity to walk in a soldier's shoes for a day, and decide if this is who I want to be and if this is what I want to be doing. But the question remains, are these players really playing for this sole purpose or just to experience yet another shooting game?

Now on to the other perspective of military gaming. Some believe that US military games are propaganda used to brainwash youth into dedicating their lives with false hopes. Michael B. Reagan's article US Military Recruits Children: "America's Army" Video Game Violates International Law discusses this issue and how it's affecting the youth in America. These games are selling these children the belief that they can be all they want to be, while risking their lives to make a difference. These children are lead to believe if they are possibly wounded severely or die in combat they will receive the purple heart or great recognition for their service. This is not entirely true or not always factual. There are millions of homeless, disabled, veterans with untreated mental conditions. These veterans are left to function in society alone with very or no help at all from the government. These children should not be spared the gruesome reality that they may face and be given accurate information so they may make an informed decision. The US military games that are being downloaded and given away at recruiting offices are another way to target youth and increase enlistments. I believe US Military games are beneficial to soldiers but such not be improperly marketed to youth or racial groups to aid in the enlistment. These games should be offered as supplemental training tools to soldiers that have already enlisted. For new recruits their should be a real life simulations in a practice war setting that exposes them to a more realistic experience vs. a video game.