The Military Gets Its Own Online Gaming Network

When I first heard about this idea, I have to admit that my first thought was that the US Army was setting up some sort of online gaming network in order to entice sixteen year-olds to trade in their Call of Duty 4 M-16 with red dot scope for a REAL M-16 with red dot scope, but I now realize I was too quick to judge.

The Military Online Gaming program (MOG) is being launched by the charity Pro vs. GI Joe as a way for military men (and women) all across the country to compete with each other in a wide variety of games. Well, a wide variety of games that have guns.

First up is a Call of Duty: World at War tournament where prizes include an ATV and the chance to play with the Atlanta Falcons. I’m assuming they mean play football with the Falcons as opposed to playing Call of Duty with the Falcons, but who knows.

There are hundreds of thousands of military gamers across the country, and I think this is a pretty great way to connect them. Also, it will be nice not having to listen to USMCMatt79 tell me how much better he is than me in Halo 3. Sorry dude, but I know they don’t train you with energy swords and plasma rifles in the Marines, however badass you may be.

People always talk about how those who play violent video games are predisposed to grow up to be serial killers and school shooters, but it appears as our generation grows up playing FPS games, it’s more likely to guide us in the direction of bravely serving our country, as demonstrated by the legions of avid gamers currently in the service. Just a little food for thought.

[via ShackNews]