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Army Game Proves U.S. Can't Lose
Alien54 writes to tell us that the latest game in the US Army's recruiting toolbox is an impressive game, simulating both weaponry already in use and some still on the drawing board. The game portrays the nation's military in 2015 but, as some critics have said, may lack even the most basic elements of realism. From the article: "For example, there's no consideration that military power or technology could fail or be jammed, she says. And the enemy doesn't learn, in contrast to a certain real-life conflict where the hallmark of insurgents is their ability to rapidly gain knowledge and evolve."
In a head to head fight that is absolutely true. USA vs The Rest Of the World would still see the US winning by a factor of 10 to one.
The problem is that the enemy knows that now, and hides behind civilians.
http://michaelsmith.id.au
Sniping would be obvious. Find perfect location to hide and comoflauge yourself. Learn how to utilize the environment.
Set traps and collect components to make different kinds of IEDs (like Alchemy in Morrowind)
Stealth and sneaking (classic Theif skills from D & D and others) -- could even use spells and mimic an illusionist!
Conversation, interrogation, misinformation, spying skills (think Bard without the harp)
roleplay elements abound - blend into local population, disguises, bartering, persuasion.
Team element - coordinate operations to complete objectives, missions (think quests)
Obviously the game would default to 'realistic' and 'no-reload' setting. ;)
Oh and make it moddable!
Parent has a very good point: recruitment is not about giving a fair impression of a soldiers life, but to select the dumb and hopeless from the smarter folks. Really who would like, to get paid to be shot at, and have a whole hierachy to piss on you as well? If that game was about reality, they'd lock you up for a few hours to simulate the boredom, and then shove you into a hummer that gets blown up at the next corner. The last scene in my version would be their mothers cashing their son's life insurance and having a party at their funeral: So long sucker!
But too many knuckleheads would be able to connect the dots and give the recruitment officers a good beating, so their rosy version makes some sense from their perverted point of view.
This space is intentionally staring blankly at you
Hopefully in 20 years' time the US public will have a more realistic view of the capabilities of their (or anyone else's) military. And perhaps they might educate themselves in the complex history, social geography and dare I say it expert opinion of the likely outcome, the next time they feel the need to demand violent retribution for a perceived threat that in reality is nothing more than a phantom in the mind of the media-political complex that governs the American psyche so effectively today.
Everything I needed to know about life, I learnt from Blake's Seven
Seriously, we're going to be hearing from someone soon that fans of sports teams may not have an unbiased opinion or the home shopping network tends to put products they sell in the best possible light. This is obvious stuff. We're talking about miliary recruiters, they're salespeople... they're job is to get recruits. They're going to sell and spin. Simulations are just that, they're simulations... they're not meant to cover every possible scenario... maybe your character could have a case of the runs... or you could simulate the excitement of gaurding a base in Iowa in real time. Idiots.
the stupid politicians would get the hell out of the way and let them do their jobs, without being "politically correct", or acting like a bunch of U.N. "meals on wheels" bunch. Given the job they are suppose to do, if you would turn them loose and say "do what needs to be done regardless", then there is no way they can lose. But, we live in "instant" times.....we want results in hours, not days. I'm just glad we didn't fight the second world war like we have fought Korea, Viet-Nam, and the gulf wars.....had we, and we'd either still be fighting them, or speaking german or japanese.
At what price?
- Korea
- Vietnam
- Iraq
learned anything yet? Apparently not.
700 + US military bases around the planet
- rape issues going on around a military base in Japan
any country, or citizen thereof likes being occupied by a foreign power pretending to be a friend?
What is the benefit of military expense?
Defense and security, yes?
Well, who is going to invade US - Mexico or Canda? Get real!
Swiss are more effective - every man has a rifle in his closet and is trained to use it.
Look at Iraq what the "well equipped" US is up against. They can't stick their head out of the window without getting shot at. Good result for spending billions!
Also, nuclear weapons. The US is the only nation who keeps thousands of nukes well-maintained and has an fleet of AEGIS-style cruisers capable of shooting enemy nukes down.
Good to keep 6000+ war heads active and try to prevent any other nation to get nuclear technology and good luck succeeding. France polishing up their nukes again lately and surely Arab nations making efforts to get nuke weapons. Makes you feel very safe - doesn't it?
Any polititian starting a war or increasing the military budget instead of reducing it should get fired on the spot because it shows stupidity and failure to get along with other countries population's representatives.
The opinion your post represents is cause for human suffering on many levels. Maybe you will learn at one point when either you - volunteering for the army to serve the need of your country in Iraq (yes?) or a closer friend gets in touch with the reality of war either in form of a folded American flag, a smashed limb or the inabilty to get a good education in a financially deprived educational system. Or, for a change, at one point you start using the grey matter in your head and open your eyes beyond what you think is your reality.