Through the prevalence of movies and videogames depicting war, new soldiers in today's armies are more aware of the visceral experience of battle than ever before.
A green army recruit in the middle ages probably had almost no idea what war actually feels like. What he had was pieced together from oral history and legends of battle, and didn't help him much when faced with the bloody mess of entrails that used to belong to his friend. Even a generation or two ago, back in WWII, soldiers were drafted into the army and only received a very basic training in boot camp for the mental and physical conditioning they would need in the field.
Today, as Shawn Williams discusses in Issue 226 of The Escapist, the modern recruit is equipped with a much more sophisticated view of the battle.
"The insurgents were firing from the other side of the bridge," Sgt. Sinque Swales told the Washington Post in February 2006. "We called in a helicopter for an airstrike. ... I couldn't believe I was seeing this. It was like Halo."
Swales, a combat engineer who served in Iraq with the 276th Engineer Battalion, represents the modern soldier: technically proficient, well-equipped and trained in military tactics long before ever entering boot camp.
"Soldiers that come in today aren't like the soldiers from when I joined," says Master Sergeant (Retired) Guy Williams. "They've been playing these videogames since they could hold a joystick. Technology doesn't intimidate them in the slightest."
Shooting first and taking names later may work in first person shooters, but gung-ho tactics will more likely produce a bodybag than a hero. Videogames like America's Army, however, emphasize caution and the safety of non-combatants, and are much more effective tools for training soldiers than anything ever seen before. Take a look at The New Basic Training to hear more firsthand accounts from soldiers and offer your comments.
Heh, another point for gamers. take that game haters. I'd like to see that... guy, whatever his name is, the lawyer from America, put a bad spin on this.
Greyfox105: Heh, another point for gamers. take that game haters. I'd like to see that... guy, whatever his name is, the lawyer from America, put a bad spin on this.
Jack Thompson.
Also, I was reading another thing that said that during the invsion of Iwo Jima, 60% of USMC soldiers didn't fire their weapons. A squad leader in Iraq said that thanks to the videogames his soldiers play, the thought of NOT firing doesn't even enter their head.
Greyfox105: Heh, another point for gamers. take that game haters. I'd like to see that... guy, whatever his name is, the lawyer from America, put a bad spin on this.
Jack Thompson.
Also, I was reading another thing that said that during the invsion of Iwo Jima, 60% of USMC soldiers didn't fire their weapons. A squad leader in Iraq said that thanks to the videogames his soldiers play, the thought of NOT firing doesn't even enter their head.
Well, considering he was permanently disbarred, we don't really have to worry about him any more. xD
Although there seems to be conflicting arguments here. On the one hand games seem to improve combat awareness and caution with the right games, as well as more preparedness for what war is like. As you just said however, sometimes the thought of NOT firing doesn't even enter their minds, which can result in needless deaths in a few instances where the enemy could simply be captured rather than killed.
Any money says that half these marines wait that second too long for the 'grenade danger' indicator before they remember to run the hell out of there. No I kid, it's good that war games aren't being pressed as a danger to society. Maybe now that Jack Thompson has been disbarred the world can accept gaming as a medium... along with donkey jousting, I'm sure.
I'm thinking I'm not very comfortable with the idea of my precious freedoms being defended by a guy who goes "Dude, this is just like Halo!" in a combat situation.
Greyfox105: Heh, another point for gamers. take that game haters. I'd like to see that... guy, whatever his name is, the lawyer from America, put a bad spin on this.
Jack Thompson.
Also, I was reading another thing that said that during the invsion of Iwo Jima, 60% of USMC soldiers didn't fire their weapons. A squad leader in Iraq said that thanks to the videogames his soldiers play, the thought of NOT firing doesn't even enter their head.
Well, considering he was permanently disbarred, we don't really have to worry about him any more. xD
Although there seems to be conflicting arguments here. On the one hand games seem to improve combat awareness and caution with the right games, as well as more preparedness for what war is like. As you just said however, sometimes the thought of NOT firing doesn't even enter their minds, which can result in needless deaths in a few instances where the enemy could simply be captured rather than killed.
I'm thinking I'm not very comfortable with the idea of my precious freedoms being defended by a guy who goes "Dude, this is just like Halo!" in a combat situation.
Call me crazy.
I have to admit, when he said "It was like Halo" I got a bit concerned.
If only because you never call in a helicopter for an airstrike in Halo.
I read that article in the last issue of the magazine. it was quite interesting, to say the least. But I think no matter how well prepared a soldier is, his first time in combat will be tough, regardless of his training.
I'm thinking I'm not very comfortable with the idea of my precious freedoms being defended by a guy who goes "Dude, this is just like Halo!" in a combat situation.
Call me crazy.
I feel better. In another time he might have froze up, wondering about what series of choices has led him to where he was - in a foreign country being shot at. Now he accepts it as something he has seen before and does his job.
I say this as someone who has been in the military but has never been shot at, so take it for what it's worth.
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Gaming Makes New Soldiers More Combat Aware
Through the prevalence of movies and videogames depicting war, new soldiers in today's armies are more aware of the visceral experience of battle than ever before.
A green army recruit in the middle ages probably had almost no idea what war actually feels like. What he had was pieced together from oral history and legends of battle, and didn't help him much when faced with the bloody mess of entrails that used to belong to his friend. Even a generation or two ago, back in WWII, soldiers were drafted into the army and only received a very basic training in boot camp for the mental and physical conditioning they would need in the field.
Today, as Shawn Williams discusses in Issue 226 of The Escapist, the modern recruit is equipped with a much more sophisticated view of the battle.
Shooting first and taking names later may work in first person shooters, but gung-ho tactics will more likely produce a bodybag than a hero. Videogames like America's Army, however, emphasize caution and the safety of non-combatants, and are much more effective tools for training soldiers than anything ever seen before. Take a look at The New Basic Training to hear more firsthand accounts from soldiers and offer your comments.
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