Internet age recruiting: 'America's Army' fan base expanding.

• Author: Peck, Michael

At least half a million video-game aficionados each month play what has become a successful military recruiting tool: America's Army.

Since its release July 4, 2000, the video game has garnered 3.3 million users around the world, who have spent 60 million hours hunched over their computer screens.

The creative thinker behind America's Army believes that an attractive video game not only will help recruit soldiers, but will encourage them to continue training after entering the service.

"Since America's Army is engaging, special government builds of the game could be useful in extending learning for soldiers beyond the duty day," said Col. E. Casey Wardynski, the West Point economics professor who directs the Army's office of economic and manpower analysis.

For now, the military variants of America's Army focus on specialized tasks that rely on the game's rich graphics and user-friendly interface. One variant trains operators of the Talon, a mine-disarming robot, while another tests the tactical effects of an experimental grenade launcher. The Army also is exploring using the game to train soldiers in force protection, first aid and survival skills, maintenance, intelligence gathering, critical thinking and leadership.

"I don't know of any other application that would give the kind of capability that we're going to provide with America's Army," said Bill Davis, team leader for America's Army future applications, at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.

Davis heads the effort to modify, the computer game into a Talon trainer. A suitcase-sized test unit, containing a laptop computer and a replica of a Talon control unit, was delivered to the explosive ordnance disposal division in July. Talon operators are practicing driving the vehicle and manipulating its robotic arm. More importantly, they are practicing using the Talon to move an improvised explosive device (IED) to a pit, transferring an explosive charge to the pit and detonate it.

"Prior to this, the only way to train was to take the robot and the controller to the trainees, give them some verbal instruction and get them started," said Davis. "This allows them to train without breaking anything." The simulation doesn't teach trainees how to identify IEDs or disarm anything other than a couple of types of generic bombs, but Davis said more options could be added in the future.

It cost $60,000 to develop the Talon variant of America's Army, not counting licensing fees. But that's far cheaper than...