Hoffman Estates, IL –
The U.S. Army 3rd Recruiting Brigade participated in an esports demonstration during leadership training March 5. The demonstration provided battalion leadership teams hands-on experience to better understand the value of esports in the modernizing of recruiting efforts.
Esports falls in line with how Army recruiting is evolving to better engage and connect with young people, according to Col. Eric Lopez, commander, 3rd Recruiting Brigade.
We wanted our battalion leadership teams to experience esports, so they can explore opportunities to improve Army recruiting in the virtual space," Lopez said.
"The intent of the training was to help commanders understand what goes on at an esports tournament, how they are run, and what to expect when recruiters participate in these events," said Sergeant 1st Class Philip Treptau, 3rd Recruiting Brigade training coordinator.
The teams played Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.“It’s a military-themed multi-player game,” Treptau said. “Most of the military leadership have never played a video game. For some this was their first time not only playing, but experiencing what a tournament is like.”
Esports is an outreach method to help recruiters better relate to young people who may have never thought to join the Army, Lopez said.
“We are encouraging our recruiters to use their video game skills to connect to today’s young people,” Lopez said. “With so many misconceptions about Army life, we want young people to see they don’t have to give-up anything to be in the Army. They can serve and still have fun doing the things they enjoy.”