Video game veterans and the new American politics

The Washington Examiner ^ | 11-17-09 | Peter W. Singer

[theruleshavechanged]

For the Pentagon, to hitch a free ride off of the video game industry is actually quite savvy. Gaming companies have spent tens of millions of dollars developing technologies designed to re-create battle, as well as easy for the average teen to use. More importantly, these teens enter the military already "trained up" in a certain way. I recall meeting a commander of a Predator drone squadron, a former F-15 pilot, who described the younger generation of remote drone pilots with awe. They had less training and experience than him, but he felt their years of video gaming had made them "naturals" to the fast-moving, multitasking nature of modern warfare.

[theruleshavechanged]

I don't agree with this guys conclusion, but I think its an interesting piece

[Mount Athos]

Future soldier of tomorrow, video game playing kids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbcctWbC8Q0

[Safrguns]

>>> I don't agree with this guys conclusion, but I think its an interesting piece

Oh... i don't know... I was in the military, and I would tend to agree with him:

Jet-Eye Tanker School (part 1)

Jet-Eye Tanker School (part 2)

Battlefield 2 Ghost Chickens

[JerseyHighlander]

CHeck this little piece of equipment out....

http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/products/trackir5/

Not so much for the teens entering the military, the price is a bit steep, but this makes virtual flight more comparable to drone piloting. The FlightSim community has adopted it pretty widely, along with the long ubiquitous yokes and pedals...

It’s on my XMas list, but not sure if I can justify the lost hours if I buy it.

[phormer phrog phlyer]

I got off active duty in Iraq over a year ago. I was somewhat older (pushing 50) a senior Sargeant told us during training that the younger generation has no trepidation in pulling the trigger. He credited gaming with this as they had simulated it thousands of times

[lovecraft]

I think I do, the better hand-eye coordination. Basics on tactics, weaponry, equipment, etc. I remember it was the game SWAT 4 that taught me what "slice the pie" meant. Hell I knew more about WWII history, generals, and equipment then anyone else from the Panzer General series.

For basics, I think they could help alot on the learning curve once training began. My 2 cents.

[JerseyHighlander]

Let me put this out there early...

Any Freepers still playing America’s Army 3?

Freepmail me if you want to jump on some servers.

(prior honor 82 on AA2)

[HIDEK6]

They might be OK flying a drone, but how are they at throwing hand grenades?

[ansel12]

I was somewhat older (pushing 50) a senior Sargeant told us during training that the younger generation has no trepidation in pulling the trigger.

40 years ago the Drill Sergeants were telling the trainees that America's young men won battles because of the take all, competitive edge that they learned in American sports, that Americans were driven by a drive to win that often gave them an edge over other cultures in tight situations.

[EricT.]

That’s what M-203’s are for.

[Rappini]

I think that’s how Hitler got started.

[DukeBillie]

I sent this article to my son who is a big gamer. Here is his reaction to the article: I love how this is totally pro-American-military and all about how playing this game would want to make you join the US military, when throughout almost the whole game you play in the BRITISH military, and by the end of the game, are trying to kill the SENIOR RANKING US GENERAL. Failure at paying attention.

[DallasDeb]

Surgeons are better at their skill if they have gaming experience in their background, too.

[Nat Turner]

WOW!!! some one remembers the Panzer General games... they were really fun!!!

[lovecraft]

Panzer General, Allied General, Pacific General, Chaos Gate and many more. SSI was probably the best strategic hex war game developer that ever existed. I miss them, what they lacked in graphics, they more than made up in deep strategic playing. Oh how I miss that company. They just don’t make them like that anymore.

[Jakarta ex-pat]

Panzer General BUMP