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."

Comments

Hoist by their own petard

[OriginalArlen]

If (as seems to have been the case from 911-the last few months) the US public really believe that their technologically superior military enables them to do whatever they want to whomever they want, it's hardly surprising that politicians play the easy wartime card and shovel those brave volunteers into a pointless furnace such as Iraq, on the basis of nothing more than a few meaningless aphorisms about "fighting them there rather than here". I'm sorry to say that the universe (in the form of human nature) is currently in the process of spitting out US foreign policy (having chewed it up), and that many tens of thousands of people are now paying the price - not only the physical casualties, but the next three decades of veteran tragedies like the current awful alleged murder in California. (Most of the casualties will be a lot quieter than that, solitary men committing suicide in 10, 15, 20 years' time, families torn apart by alcohol and drug abuse and psychological trauma.) Of course if there are tens of thousands of US citizen affected, there are literally millions in Iraq (and, increasingly, in Syria and Iran as everyone who can get out, does so.)

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.

These people are idiots...

[Ingolfke]

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.