U.S. Army Overhauls Training, Toughens Up Geeks
While all those rounds of Modern Warfare 2 are helping you in asking really difficult questions, it's doing absolutely nothing for your hand-to-hand combat skills. The U.S. Army wants to help you learn how to fight.
While hundreds of thousands of today's youth are well trained in the tactics of modern warfare thanks things like, well, Modern Warfare 2, the U.S. Army doesn't see such modern technologies as a complete simulations package. In fact, the U.S. Army argues that video games and other modern tech could be making today's potential soldiers "soft."
In response to this, the U.S. Army is overhauling its basic training program for the first time in 30 years, according to NPR.
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling says that today's generation is "advanced in terms of their use of technology, and maybe not as advanced in their physical capabilities or ability to go into a fight."
In other words, today's youth are spending more time inside fighting in the virtual world rather than scrapping it out on the playground.
"We are seeing a decline across the board in America. This isn't a decline in our recruits; this is a decline in our American society in terms of their physical capacity. It's just a softer generation," Hertling said. "But we can't afford to accept that. We've got to train soldiers to climb the peaks of Afghanistan."
While physical fitness is just one facet to a soldier, Hertling believes that there's more to it than just that.
"We certainly have a generation that is not as disciplined when they enter the military," he added. "Whereas they might have what they believe is a form of courage or discipline, it's not what we expect of a soldier in very tense and difficult situations."
The new basic training program will place a new emphasis on how to fight, Hertling said: "It's including things like the use of weapons, knives, bayonets, sticks — even the rifle can be used as a weapon without shooting it."
That's not to say that today's generation is in any way a less effective soldier. "They're different. They have a technology edge. I think they're smarter than any generation we've ever had before," Hertling said. "They certainly ask a lot more difficult questions."
In related news, a UK TV program pitted a gamer head to head against an SAS sniper in a Modern Warfare 2 test.
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If i got into a fight i got expelled, even when i didnt start it i got a week vacation and that was 3 years ago i here it has gotten worse so they are mad now people cant fight, but if they do fight ruin their lives
U.S. Army doesn't see Modern Warfare 2 as a complete simulations package? First of all, it's not even realistic by game standards. Second, duh! They'd do better to train the troops for law enforcement duties since that's what they'll be doing for the foreseeable future thanks to the previous moron-in-chief.
Pretty much how it goes. Start a fight, get an assault charge, then there goes your chances of getting a job at many places. I can relate to your comment very well. Lots of places I go to work do background checks and don't let people who have bad records on the property. If your goal is to join the Army, I guess it's okay to start fights according to the article.
one-shot, you only get an assault charge if you are convicted in court, as an adult. the argument in this article is for younger kids to embody these principles of physical fitness, people that won't necessarily screw up their future by getting in a scuffle on the school yard...it is too late for us though unfortunately....
Why the hell would the U.S. army consider MW2 a simulation
Soft? How does getting shot and hiding in a corner for five seconds to completely heal make you soft?
Catering to people with an itch to stab and hit people sounds like a recipe for disaster. I thought a reduction in physical violence on places like the playground was a good thing for society, or so I was led to believe.
It's probably not just fist fighting he's talking about. I see the newer generation is very gay, and weak as well. They don't work out hard, they don't like getting their hands dirty, and they just don't have the toughness. When we were kids, you were outdoors all day playing sports (some of which included boxing) or riding a bike, not playing video games and using gay terms like "eye candy". But, starting a fight was always considered a bad thing.
So, now the army is getting these effeminate girly men, and struggling with it. Society has changed. I don't know if their training can undo a lifetime of laziness and weakness. For some, they need to be challenged physically and their nature will make them accept it, but for many, it might be too much to ask after eating Twinkies and shooting space aliens from a sofa all their lives.
We better start working on killer robots.
I call it Cross Country
I think you guys are misunderstanding him. He is saying society as a whole is getting weaker. That would include everyone pressing charges instead of just standing up for themselves and being a man. I'm not saying you have to be violent to be a man but a man does need to be able to take of himself and his business. No one believes in honor or sacrifice anymore. I guess I'm lucky in that if I got into a scuffle with a class mate we just got detention and had to suck it up. Also, he is probably just using MW2 as an example of what new recruits thinks are simulations. You guys really need relax and read things with some intuition. I guess none of you have ever been in the military. I understood what he was trying to convey.
I believe that article to have more truth in it than recognized. I agree most people are soft in this generation. Kids aren't outside as much and rough it up outside. Thats to be expected when the next generation of warfare is using technology like UAVs and what not.
They are right about this-Recruits are lazier, fatter and act like babies more than ever. Drill Sergeants are not allowed to be so hard on them for fear of complaints.
Anyway, there's even more changing that isn't mentioned here. All of it not having to do with gaming at all.
(11B/11C Natl Guard 2001-2009)
Drop down and give me 10.
This could be good. While the 21st century brings accurate firearms and tons of new technology, hand-to-hand combat shouldn't be deprioritized. And that's not something you learn in Steet Fighter.
Maybe some of those recruits are just soft in the head. Want some strength, discipline and courage? Teach them to fight with their brains, not just their fists..they may just end up asking who the real enemies are, and what they're actually fighting for..
Catering to people with an itch to stab and hit people sounds like a recipe for disaster. I thought a reduction in physical violence on places like the playground was a good thing for society, or so I was led to believe.
Good for society but not good for the army.
Most people here are missing the point of the General. Just as Europe has become war weary as a whole, America is following suit. Not only have we replaced our violent tendencies (somewhat) with video games, but we have made it socially unacceptable to hit anyone under any circumstances. As a result we have reaped what has been sown: people who would talk it out before throwing the fist.
Is this a bad thing? Probably not. Most people don't go to war, and the people we need in this kind of war aren't cold blooded killers, but instead cool headed, suave talkers who can earn the respect and hearts of occupied people. They aren't gay or "girly men", they are a different type of people from a different generation. Alas, I am one of them.
one-shot, you only get an assault charge if you are convicted in court, as an adult. the argument in this article is for younger kids to embody these principles of physical fitness, people that won't necessarily screw up their future by getting in a scuffle on the school yard...it is too late for us though unfortunately....
If you assault someone you get a police charge of assault, whether or not you get convicted.
Being charged by the police of committing a crime is separate from actually being convicted and found guilty of the crime.
Depending on the background check, being charged of, but not convicted of a specific crime may or may not show up.
Peoplr are soft but, the made it that way if you even defend yourself you get charged with assault ask my sister who got beat up by er bf and he had a scratch on his neck guess who got in trouble... the girl with the black eye and split lip it cost thousands to keep an assault charge for a scratch off of her record
one-shot, you only get an assault charge if you are convicted in court, as an adult. the argument in this article is for younger kids to embody these principles of physical fitness, people that won't necessarily screw up their future by getting in a scuffle on the school yard...it is too late for us though unfortunately....
I agree with that, but you can still be charged as an adult while under 18. Kind of strange how that works. I've always been in great shape and notice others who aren't. In my weight training classes I noticed just how out of shape most students were. This generation needs to play less video games and get outside more. A person on my Steam list had 125 hours of BF Bad Company 2 in two weeks. I think some change in how enlistees are trained is a good thing.
yes hand to hand training will definitely help when you're stuck in Iraq or Afghanistan for 6 months at a time. I think I know this feeling very well...
Aw Nuts! Never mind.
Today's society has almost made it a crime to be a real man. Someone who wears flannel, smokes unfiltered Marlboro cigarettes, eats steak for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Someone who passes on the fruit parfait for some corn nuts and beef jerky. Someone who carries a sturdy handgun on his waist, and brings a rifle if he's expecting trouble. Someone who can take a punch and hit right back instead of wondering if he has his lawyer's business card in his man-purse. If you have testicular fortitude, you're labeled a criminal or worse. What the military needs to do is bar anyone without a beard. Make these dudes cage fight for beds and leave the rest in the woods to find and cook food for themselves. Start handing out medals for various Acts of Manliness like taking charge in an argument and kicking everyone's ass, and anyone else's who might have heard for good measure.
Now that was entertaing!
How about a happy medium? I'll kick your ass if you piss me off, and I'll wear a flannel jacket, and I'll griw a beard, but I'll eat a salad and do some cardio.
Yeah, I had to laugh at Modern Warfare 2 being a simulation and training people in tactics. Getting shot by 5 bullets and hiding behind cover for a few seconds while you regenerate and then ramboing forward so that the bad guys stop respawning isn't what I'd call a simulation or tactics I'd recommend ANY soldier doing.
There's no respawn points in real life and you don't run faster with your knife out.
yall are hilarious, nobody who has any intelligence joins the army. They dont want thinkers, they want blind obedience.
It's probably not just fist fighting he's talking about. I see the newer generation is very gay, and weak as well. They don't work out hard, they don't like getting their hands dirty, and they just don't have the toughness. When we were kids, you were outdoors all day playing sports (some of which included boxing) or riding a bike, not playing video games and using gay terms like "eye candy". But, starting a fight was always considered a bad thing.So, now the army is getting these effeminate girly men, and struggling with it. Society has changed. I don't know if their training can undo a lifetime of laziness and weakness. For some, they need to be challenged physically and their nature will make them accept it, but for many, it might be too much to ask after eating Twinkies and shooting space aliens from a sofa all their lives.We better start working on killer robots.
EXCUUUSE ME. I AM GAY. I AM NOT AN "effeminate girly man" AND I RESENT THAT PHRASE.
Gays are a lot more masculine than you seem to think. Most of us are not "MTV Gay" and think that the gay stereotype is pathetic. I have no disire to be like that.
People tend to read what they want into articles. Nowhere in this article did it say they want kids to fight in school. Having the ability to fight or defend yourself through physical fitness is the focus. Marcus states "In other words, today's youth are spending more time inside fighting in the virtual world rather than scrapping it out on the playground." in response to what LTG Hertling only commented on "capabilities or ability to go into a fight" which is not the same thing.
A black belt in Karate has been trained and is physically fit. He has the capabilities and ability to go into a fight but outside of a controlled environment he may have never had to put it to the test. On the flipside a wimp that couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag without any ability to fight can throw a punch in anger.
I'm fairly sure he meant 'soft' as in flabby, not an unwillingness or inability to stand up for what you believe. He's talking about being physically capable of beating someone to death
Army people make me puke. They think that the mothers bear and raise children just for the army to take them and send them to faraway places to fight people they've never seen before for reasons they'll probably never learn.
Yes young people need to be tough and strong but not for some army shithead's fun.
Army people make me puke. They think that the mothers bear and raise children just for the army to take them and send them to faraway places to fight people they've never seen before for reasons they'll probably never learn.Yes young people need to be tough and strong but not for some army shithead's fun.
I don't usually respond to comments like this but this got under my skin as I am sure it was meant to. Most countries enlistment in the military is voluntary. The people that do enlist in the military are just that people. There are good people and bad people in the military just as in the civilian population and although they follow orders they have free will. Falsely stereotyping Army as grunts that want baby factories to fight more wars is completely closed-minded and ignorant. Get out of the B-rated movie world and come back to reality.
And while your at it, why not play a banjo and tell your sister "Hey you got a preeeety mouth" What a red neck ass hole
haha I think you proved his point quite well, "Prince of Dreams"