![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/army-149126_960_720-300x269.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Army is putting together a team of video gamers from within its ranks to try to reach young Americans in the digital worlds where they spend much of their time.<\/p>\n
More than 15 years after launching \u201cAmerica\u2019s Army,\u201d a first-person shooter game aimed at enlisting real world soldiers, the Army is calling for active duty troops and reservists to compete in video gaming tournaments, or esports, in one of its latest recruiting efforts.<\/p>\n
The move follows the Army\u2019s failure this year, for the first time in more than a decade, to meet the fiscal year target for bringing in new soldiers as it seeks to expand its ranks to more than 500,000 in the next four years.<\/p>\n
The Army is also creating a \u201cfunctional fitness\u201d team to compete in CrossFit athletic events and is reportedly looking to spruce up recruiting efforts with more bonuses, more recruiters, better furniture and a new slogan to replace \u201cArmy Strong.\u201d<\/p>\n
The service plans to hold tryouts for a variety of electronic games, said Staff Sgt. Ryan Meaux, an Army recruiter, in a Facebook video on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Officials had highlighted the team on social media late last week, after a Twitter account was created in its name, and are expected to answer questions about it in an \u201cAsk Me Anything\u201d session on the social media platform Reddit on Friday at 6 p.m. Central time.<\/p>\n
Webpages would soon be set up with details about joining the esports and fitness teams, but \u201cthe content is still in the works,\u201d said Army Recruiting Command spokeswoman Kelli Bland, in an email late Thursday.<\/p>\n
Members of the teams will be part of the Army\u2019s Marketing and Engagement Team based at Fort Knox, Ky., and will operate much like the Golden Knights parachute team and Army Marksmanship Unit, traveling to various events and competing for the Army, Bland said. The Army will cover the cost of any certifications, competitions and other requirements, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will be in a support role to help young people see soldiers in a different light and understand the many different roles people can have in the Army (and) help the Army address the growing disconnect with society,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n
Read the entire article here:<\/p>\n