Army invades the mall with video game recruitment station

Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:29PM EST

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Pssst, kid! Wanna play some video games?

That's the latest come-on from the U.S. Army, which continues to refine its approach toward engaging teens and twentysomethings. Having seen amazing success with recruiting thanks to its America's Army home computer game, the military is now taking the pitch to the mall. Specifically, to the Franklin Mills shopping center in Philadelphia, where it has set up 60 gaming PCs, 19 Xbox 360s, plush couches, and "rock music" for potential recruits to enjoy.

There's even a real Humvee that players can shoot from installed as part of a 15-foot-high projected battle simulation and an Apache helicopter simulator that recruits can fly.

Sounds like a killer gaming setup... but of course there's a not-so-ulterior motive at work. It's all part of a plan to get younger kids interested in signing up for service, thinking that shooting terrorists in active combat is all part of a day's work.

Naturally, critics are out in full force, including a former Army staff sargeant, Jesse Hamltion, who accuses the Army of misleading kids with deceptive, unrealistic scenarios. Hamilton notes that recruits are unlikely to see active combat and that "the only way to simulate the heat is holding a blow dryer to your face."

Still, the move of course comes at a good time for the Army, which has struggled to fill its ranks for several years thanks to some overwhelmingly bad press. But with civilian unemployment skyrocketing and the situation in Iraq looking better than it has in ages (particularly with the prospect of troops coming home), the Army's high-tech mall paradise may actually be more than it needs to woo the young and impressionable.

Comments on Army invades the mall with video game recruitment station

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  • 26 Posted by burmenstein on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    The Army isnt using this to "fake out" new recruits, or give them a false idea about what the Army life is like. All they are doing is giving kids something they like (video games) and letting them play, this will hopefully start them asking questions. They might want to ask, "what type of weapon is this" or "what type of truck is this". It isnt a scam or lie, as some of you think.

  • 27 Posted by nayungmin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Is there a part in the video game where you have to hold pressure on your buddie's bleeding head wound? How about the part where you have to deliver a KIA notice to a mother? Do they save that for later in the game, or maybe it's an extra feature after the credits have finished rolling?

  • 28 Posted by ksmurray3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    If, parents would instill a sense of pride in serving this country then the Army wouldn't have to sit in the mall. Heck, the kids are already playing shooting VG. But it is ok because you paid for it. Some of you stink, The military has fought and liberated many countries. They defeated Hitler. Many of you need to thank a Soldier, without them you would be speaking German. Get off your high horse. And you go out and try and make a difference in this world.

  • 29 Posted by bushbot94 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    Who programmed this message board? Corky from Life Goes On? Jebus Christ this is bad.

  • 30 Posted by universal_seller on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    Oh and by the way, kids who are of the approved age as rated by the ERSB are only allowed to play such as 17 year old for "M" rated games. I have personnally seen a recruiter kick a kid off of a game for trying to sneak on a Mature rated game. It is monitored. You can put down your pitchforks.

  • 31 Posted by kenkorsak on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is such a crock of crap. My son for some reason is joining the army and I have no idea why. I was in the army and know first hand what it is all about. I was in Desert Storm. Its not a lot of fun like playing video games. The first thing you learn in the army is how to become a janitor. They fail to tell these kids this. You are going to learn how to clean a toilet and how to scrub a floor. Wooohooo what have I learned? Then they teach you how to take crap from people who shouldn't be sergeants. Imagine a kid leaving for war and this NCO tells him some screwed up stuff and the kid has to do it because the NCO is a leader and the kid gets hurt or worst. I think it is irresponsible for the army to recruit this way.

  • 32 Posted by ericwgrossman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    Honesty is the key here everyone. They have to use these kind of tactics because of a few bad recruiters that have ruined the Army's recruiting name. Some policing on the Army's part would help their good name and then these tax payers dollars could be used for something more useful. This type of advertising is just a band aid to cover up the problem of a lack of integrity on a few recruiters parts that seriously hinders the Army's overall recruiting effort. Solve the problem don't treat it.

  • 33 Posted by trailrider234 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yea because the army is just like video games, except game over means you get shipped to your mother in a black bag. And every year on your birthday there isn't a birthday cake, but some more tears and a little bit more resentment for dad for taking him to the darn mall. ...jerks

  • 34 Posted by somastasis on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    this is massive-scale social irresponsibility. wow...so this is how we increase military head-count? wouldn't it be easier to boost numbers by "authorizing" gay marriage in the military?

  • 35 Posted by captbear07 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's about the Army started something this. Kids have alot of freedom, and that freedom was fought for and many gave thier lives so we can have our freedom. today's kids need to remember that "Freedom is not free" an dit comes at a cost.

  • 36 Posted by cneidertusa on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is absolutely disgusting. How low will the military go in order to recruit innocent kids? It's always one step lower than before. When I was in high school, it was bad enough that they stalked you, phoned you all the time, acted like your newest bestest bud, then when you tell them you aren’t interested, they became total jerkwads. The military needs to get a professional grip and learn to not stoop to the lowest of the low. The kids that are probably utilizing this mall gaming have no idea what they are feeding into and are too naïve to see through it. Leave kids alone! What’s next, handing out candy guns to kindergarteners at Halloween?

  • 37 Posted by ramhimself22 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    Look I served faithfully in the Marine Corps for 4 yrs. There is absolutely nothing worng with this. They are just doing there job. Just like you do yours, so let these recruiters be. Recruiting is one of the most stressful jobs in the military, so they are doing all they can, because recruting can ruin your career. So keep complaining and getting mad at these guys. They are the reason there is no draft, but when numbers fall short and stuff hits the fan remember this you guys will be in the sandbox and we will be at home with your wives!!

  • 38 Posted by lamarsmiles on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    good for u futurelover...mozmex what r u talking about what does going to the moon have to do with all the lies put forth by the government and religion...

  • 39 Posted by mobius_01_isaf on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    Speaking of video games... "War as a video game, what better way to train the soldier of the future?" - Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid 2

  • 40 Posted by brookka1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    So what? Nobody is making the kids go in there, and despite what some people out there believe, recruiters do NOT have magic Jedi mind powers whereby they can make someone sign up to serve. The truth is we have become a nation of major wussies who complain and moan but don't want to anything about it. By all means, if you don't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand IN FRONT of them! These guys volunteer to serve so that all those other p*ssies out there won't get drafted...

  • 41 Posted by unhappymatt1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    The Army needs young men. So where else should they look? I know, how about the prison system. Get some of these drug dealers and gangstas and instead of putting them in jail send them off to war. We could also get some of these illegal immigrants send them too in exchange for their citizenship.

  • 42 Posted by m240m2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    Now for all the ones who are against the service, then I ask you, if someone came into your backyard, who are you going to call, that's right the military, so shut up and support the military or some day you will be SCREWED!!!!

  • 43 Posted by mxking2020 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    A lot of you are mis-placing the blame also, the recruiters themselves have absolutely nothing to do with the recruiting techniques, they're just following orders. Also, I don't think most people are putting down the people that volunteer, regardless of what I said in my previous post, I have the highest respect for anyone who volunteers for service, having been through it myself. It's the way the government is doing it that wrong, it's just attracting the wrong type of person, plain and simple.

  • 44 Posted by mxking2020 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    A lot of you are mis-placing the blame also, the recruiters themselves have absolutely nothing to do with the recruiting techniques, they're just following orders. Also, I don't think most people are putting down the people that volunteer, regardless of what I said in my previous post, I have the highest respect for anyone who volunteers for service, having been through it myself. It's the way the government is doing it that wrong, it's just attracting the wrong type of person, plain and simple.

  • 45 Posted by mxking2020 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    A lot of you are mis-placing the blame also, the recruiters themselves have absolutely nothing to do with the recruiting techniques, they're just following orders. Also, I don't think most people are putting down the people that volunteer, regardless of what I said in my previous post, I have the highest respect for anyone who volunteers for service, having been through it myself. It's the way the government is doing it that wrong, it's just attracting the wrong type of person, plain and simple.

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