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Army using video game as recruiting tool

By Dianna M. Náñez / Arizona Republic

CHANDLER, AZ - Military recruiters are becoming increasingly creative as they work to boost enlistment rates.

That's what's happening today in Chandler, where a local Army recruiting office is sponsoring a video-game tournament that is expected to draw more than 100 people. Recruiters will promote the benefits of the Army as video-game buffs play "America's Army," a role-playing game created by the Army in 2002. A Chandler business, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, is hosting the event from noon to 8 p.m.

The Army's emphasis on more individualized recruiting efforts allows recruiters to answer questions and address concerns about joining the military when thousands of troops are deployed in Iraq, said Staff Sgt. Morgan Self, a Chandler recruiting officer.

"People want to join the military, and they have questions. (But) in the media, all you hear about is soldier's stories from Iraq and Afghanistan," Self said. "We're trying to put out the word that it's not all about deployment."

This type of a tournament is a new approach for recruiting in the southeast Valley, said Self, who added that video games are entertaining and promote awareness of the Army. An Xbox 360 version of the game released last month, he said, tells stories of real soldiers who won Silver and Bronze Stars for heroism in combat. "The game is more or less just to have fun," he said. "If everyone that was playing was actually joining the Army, then recruiters wouldn't have a job."

Rosela Martinez, 19, an Arizona State University student, said military recruiters would regularly visit her Tolleson High School campus in Hummers decked with large television screens showing promotional military videos.

Martinez said she considers military video games and music videos a form of propaganda. "I really felt like these are professional salesmen targeting kids. The media used shows people rock-climbing and parachuting. It doesn't include anything about any real risks," she said.