Gamestop stores allowing military recruiters in stores for launch of Halo 3

[TornadoTN]

Just found out some very interesting, if not disturbing news, about a nationwide company that is going to be featuring recruiters in their stores for the upcoming launch of Halo 3 (a wildly popular game for the Xbox 360).

I went into one of their stores yesterday to pick up a game (yes, I'm a gamer ;-) ) that I had on reserve. While I was at the register, the clerk reminded me of the upcoming launch of Halo 3 and how they were going to be having special events for the midnight release on the 25th. I inquired as to what kind of special events and he said that they were going to be having give-aways, promotions, costume contests and that the Marines were going to be here. My ears perked up when he said Marines, so I asked what he meant - he went on to tell me that the Marines were going to be there giving away stuff and showing off their "Iraq stuff" (Humvee's, etc.). So I left the store in a sense of bewilderment that a store would be featuring recruiters for a launch of a video game. Then it hit me - it's clever on the part of the military because the audience is already there and will be lining up for hours to be the first to get the game at their respective store. Hours of propaganda, brought to you by the Marines and Gamestop.

That got me riled up - curious as to whether it was just at this one local store or whether it was happening at other locations as well. There are seven stores within driving distance in my area, so I picked up the phone and called them up, asking to speak to the manager on duty each time. I politely asked what events they were having for their launch and out of the seven stores, five of them said they would have the Marines or Army at their stores as part of their promotion. I fired off an e-mail to Gamestop corporate and have yet to receive a response confirming that this is indeed taking place. I picked a few locations at random of their site and placed calls and most of them also reported a similar scenario.

With recruiters increasingly desperate and thousands - if not millions - of young gamers clamoring for this game, it concerns me that a company would allow this to occur. If you have children who are going to be heading out on the 25th to pick up this game, you might want to let them know that there might be recruiters hanging out and warn them of the tactics. Again, I'm not sure if this is a nationwide issue, but it appears that it might very well be.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

1. Damn. My son wants to apply for a job at our Gamestop next week. I'm going to have to talk to him

about rethinking this choice.

[TornadoTN]

3. I'll be following this closely and updating

I certainly mean no disrespect to those that choose to serve for whatever reason, but the tactics of recruiters and the situation that our country is in right now just isn't conducive for me to give this a pass.

I would like to be able to do my shopping without being confronted by recruiters trying to sell me on joining the military and the "grand crusade". I'm sure most of us would say the same.

[lonestarnot]

5. And I will be watching closely for your updates.

Thanks. :)

[TornadoTN]

53. ***UPDATE****

Several people have gotten into touch with me saying that they are hearing the same from their stores as well. Stores in TN, NC, SC, NY, and IL are involved in this, so its reasonable to say it's nationwide.

Gamestop corporate refuses to answer questions regarding this - they say that they have no information and say that we should call our stores, its their decision. However, a manager told me that he was against it but was told to allow it by his GM, indicating that this goes higher than just the stores.

[C_U_L8R]

2. Military has been targetting gamers for a long time

apparently first person shooter games teach all the right skillz

[TornadoTN]

4. " Hi son, I see you got the killed 5,000 achievement, we need you in Iraq!"

Pretty sickening really. Big difference between video games and reality, but they sell it as the same.

[YOY]

11. You should see the ads on G4 TV

A couple of guys on a couch are playing a FPS (First Person Shooter) and the soldier in the game taps the screen from the inside: "You guys look like you're really into this. Want to try the real thing?" The guys on the couch smile at each other like they're gonna start cornholing each other any moment. The rest is standard recruiter pap.

Are they effective? Not really. I guess most (if not all) gamers can distinguish the reality of "Game over Try Again" and "I lost my limbs for oil...there's no reset button."

[TornadoTN]

22. Yeah, I've seen those

It's an interesting case-study in effective v. ineffective advertising. While they target the right demographic, they approach it from an angle that just makes one scratch their head and ask how they tie the two together.

I guess my outrage is more about recruiting tactics than the act itself.

[PDenton]

38. that ad is over the top

... my brother just got a real sick twisted kick out of that one. It is so blatant and yet desperate at the same time.

On the other hand, a few years ago there was this one guy who posted an article about playing Ghost Recon on the PC, then after September 11th he joined the military and went over to Afghanistan in the Special Forces... and comparing how realistic the game was vs. reality, and how much he thought the game helped him prepare to be a soldier. So who knows. The older Ghost Recon PC games were extremely realistic in terms of physics and wound modelling.

Halo, OTOH, is not remotely realistic. You're a 'roided out supersoldier with essentially unlimited health, if you play it right. Bullets are more annoyances than anything.

[YOY]

47. Desperate is right. The commercial is ridiculous.

Surprised to hear about the Ghost Recon guy. I'm pretty sure there is a large budget that goes to producers/developers to make such games.

[TornadoTN]

54. "America's Army" is due for release soon

Can't wait to see how much propaganda is wrapped up in that one, since it's the "Official" game of the U.S. Military.

[Zookeeper]

61. One of my sons downloaded some version of that....

about two years ago.

I freaked out, pointing out to him that he had just identified himself as a prospective recruit.

We tried to delete the game, but traces of it remained on our computer until recently. The game/program basically wouldn't allow itself to be completely removed, at least by "average" PC users like us.

BTW, Zooboy didn't protest too much, since he said it was a crummy game.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

6. I Really Don't See The Problem.

The marines need to recruit and use marketing like anyone else. Are the Marines just supposed to NEVER promote themselves? C'mon now.

I see no problem with this whatsoever. It's not like they won't let you out of the store if you don't enlist or something. So why the outrage? Can people NOT just like, choose for themselves and walk away if they aren't interested?

Much. Ado. About. Nothing.

[TornadoTN]

7. Come on now, these kids are getting a game, not a ticket to Iraq/Iran

Plus, the fact that a company would sanction this is not only disgusting, but worthy of them not receiving any more of my cash.

Recruiters use their marketing (read: lies) in our schools, so I guess it's ok that they be on every street corner getting people to sign up. I'm sure they are all above reproach and we never hear any stories about them using trickery, deception, and outright intimidation and lies on impressionable youths. :sarcasm:

Let these kids get their game without having to hear about our glorious crusades and how you can join and never have to serve overseas!

[PDenton]

10. if you are dumb enough to believe the crap recruiters say

Why should I feel sympathy.

I'm a gamer (I'm not a Halo fan, though). It is a fact that the military targets gamers, mostly because the demographics are right for military recruiment. You can see why they target gamers more than say, people who watch Oprah or NASCAR... right?

[TornadoTN]

19. I agree on the demographics

As a person whose career and education is in business and marketing, it makes sense from that standpoint. On that point, I do not dispute.

However, as a parent and a consumer, I really disagree with a stores decision to tie military recruiting into a promotion. Sure, everyone can say "no, get away" etc. but is it really that easy to do in a society that elevates soldiers to rock star status and beyond reproach? It is for you and I, but what about that 17/18 year old kid that is feeling the crunch with money and sees a glistening sign on bonus and the empty promises attached to it?

Maybe my outrage should be directed at how recruiting is handled rather than the act itself.

[PDenton]

33. Society doesn't elevate soldiers to rockstar status

... and that is the really sad part. The little yellow ribbons on the SUV's don't mean people love soldiers, they love the Fuhrer. The reality is that soldiers are human beings with human needs and can't live off glory alone. Most will blend in anonymously when they come home and their issues will tend to be ignored. Alot of teenagers are actually savy to this, which is one reason the Pentagon is having trouble recruiting enough people. On gamer forums there are constant wisecracks about military recruitement (which oftent advertises on gaming sites) and even some sobering conversations with GI's over there.

Though I'd say anybody who wants to join the military should first watch Born on the Fourth of July and see if they can still stomach the idea of joining up.

[TornadoTN]

35. See post #34, explains that thought.

and you'll see why I stand on this issue the way I do.

However, it is very true. Soldiers are rock stars to the right until they come home. Then they are forgotten.

[Mike Daniels]

50. I'll take it further....If your dumb enough to think battling aliens on TV is equivalent to real war

then you're too bloody stupid to be in the armed forces to begin with.

I would think the military would be smarter to use video games as a screening process vs. a recruiting tool.

[TornadoTN]

52. Smarter? This is exactly what they want to use

They want to tie the fun and games into their vision that they are selling you on the military. Sadly, some kids fall for it.

This is precisely what they want.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

14. Sorry, But I Wholeheartedly Disagree. I Find No Problem With The Marines Nor The Store Doing This.

In fact, it seems like a smart promotion on both of their parts.

But to each their own outrage. I'm quite certain they'll be heartbroken over the loss of your cash.

[Cerberus534]

16. I guess then they should have Navy Recruiters in front of Old Navy then huh?

[tammywammy]

24. Why not?

Are they forcing anyone to talk to them and/or join?

The military is still allowed to recruit people.

[TornadoTN]

27. Yes, but with what tactics?

I should have framed my initial objections a bit better, but I primarily have issue with the tactics employed by recruiters. But since we already have recruiters in schools feeding their b.s. to our kids on a daily basis, why should they be subjected to it when they are out and about town? I certainly don't want to hear it and neither should my kids.

As for forcing anyone to talk to them - I'm 28 and not too far from having been actively recruited on a daily basis (still am on occasion). They aren't the gentle salesman type - the majority that I have experienced are the pushy, intimidating type that just won't take no for an answer. They'll give you some jaw, but you can generally get away from them. But we have all seen the stories here about recruiters taking unnecessary and illegal steps to get kids to join up and the results of these actions. Sure, these instances may be few and far in between, but we still hear about them and it's still an issue. That's not to mention the lies and deceit that are commonly put across on these kids.

[tammywammy]

31. I agree that some recruiters

employ tactics that are not desirable. But someone setting up a table at a Gamestop isn't that. :shrug:

[PA Democrat]

45. Thanks for your thoughtful posts, Tornado TN.

I'm the mom of a high school senior. I've seen first hand the lows to which recruiters will stoop to entice kids to sign up. We sent opt out letters to both our school district and to the private contractor who handles the Pentagon's recruiting database, and we STILL got 26 (and still counting) calls from recruiters in the last 3 months, despite the fact that they are told EVERY SINGLE TIME, that he's not interested, don't call back. You cannot BELIEVE the lies they tell.

My son's close friend has signed up for the Delayed Entry Program, and he has been told so many lies it breaks my heart. The kid is naive, poor as dirt, and desperate for money for college. This kid's recruiter now stalks all of this kid's friends to try to get more kids to enlist. He just "magically" shows up whenever this kid goes somewhere with his friends. It has put an enormous strain on my son's relationship with his friend. He's sick of the constant harassment by recruiters.

I will follow up with the several local Game Stop stores here. If they are doing this, they will NEVER get another dime of business from our family. I prefer to shop without any further harassment from military recruiters.

[TornadoTN]

49. Thanks, it's heart breaking to see kids get caught up in it

I wouldn't mind a recruiting program based on truth. But we all know that can't happen these days.

Several of my close friends today served (or are still serving) and each one of them have said they while they don't regret serving, they regret that they listened to recruiters in the first place. One of my friends was promised a sign-on bonus of $20,000 and his college loans paid off. We graduated from college in 2001 and he has yet to see penny one of his sign-on and his loans are still largely unpaid. Not to mention that he was promised one position but was put into infantry instead.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

26. Wow, That's The Best You Could Come Up With Huh?

:rofl:

[TornadoTN]

28. Give it a rest

I guess your one of the ones that are ok with the increasing police state and militarization of our society. Why not make everyone wear camo's and pick up an M4 in your utopia?

I don't want it on my streets and in my stores. Keep the recruiters in their offices making those harassing phone calls to the high school kids rather than being plastered across every facet of life.

[YOY]

44. My guess is that the guy/gal you're replying to has never had to deal with them

They call. They call. They call. If you're walking by them in the mall recruiting station they start talking to you. They won't shut up. They won't go away. You practically have to be rude to a guy/gal in uniform to get them to f*** off. And they're so full of sh** that they practically reek of it.

I'm older and fatter now, but a few years ago they wouldn't stop f***ing calling me!

Meh...I've served my country. If anyone questions that to my face they'll lose a few teeth.

[TornadoTN]

46. They still confront me in public

I am usually always polite unless its one of the odd rabid Bush-bot recruiters that want to take a stand against me and my "liberal values". To the ones that are more common, I just tell them no and wait for the glorious stories and promises that are sure to come. Then I call them out on their bullshit. Still to others, I'll say that they can't afford me and give them a detail of my resume - then I'll get the "sure we can afford you, we pay more than you make to our officers (bullshit)!!!" I even had one young Army recruiter tell me that I would be a prime candidate to go straight into basic training as an officer and not have to do most of the stuff that everyone else has to do.

I guess I should be happy that I look so young at 28.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

58. Yeah, That Wasn't Melodramatic.

:crazy:

[Bonobo]

42. Damn, man, this isn't STRIPES! These kids get killed and you think

it's okay to explot their interest in VIDEO GAMES to HOOK them into service for THIS WAR!!

You know, I think YOU are intentionally just trying to be contrary. Like a toddler. Fess up. You just like SHOCKING people and playing "The Other" on this board because you crave attention and like to stand out. Right?

[TornadoTN]

43. Agreed wholeheartedly

These recruiters go up the kids and it goes like this:

"Halo 3 is a great game, love the guns - say how would you like to do this in real life? We can get you all suited up and turned out in no time if you want to fight. It's so cool. If you don't want to fight, that's ok too, because we promise, you won't have to go to the Middle East. We'll leave you here playing with computers"

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

57. Stop Acting Like These 'Kids' Don't Have Minds Of Their Own And Can't Choose For Themselves.

You're putting forth a premise that these kids are being tricked somehow or asked to sign something saying they bought the game but it's really an enlistment form or something. The premise is ridiculous.

Our military needs to recruit people. I find not a thing wrong with their promoting military service to a crowd that is more apt to be interested in joining.

And spare me the whole "You don't really mean it! You just want to be contrary blah blah blah!" spiel. Cause the way I see it, I'm not the one being disingenuous. I think it is some others who act outraged at anything and everything military, because of an anti-military stance.

They aren't forcing these kids into anything nor tricking them into signing anything. The kids can walk away if they want and are not obligated whatsoever to even speak to them if they don't want to. There's not a thing wrong with the military tying promotions to this game and for the life of me I can't figure out the genuine harm that comes from their doing so.

If someone chooses to enlist in our armed forces, than they have my respect and thanks. But they can make that decision for themselves. They don't need you to baby them and protect them from the big bad recruiters. They can think for themselves.

[Name removed]

59. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

62. I'd Wager I'm More Solidly A Democrat Than You Are. This Also Has NOTHING To Do With Being A Dem.

Are you saying Democrats don't support the military? What utter bullshit. Your argument reeks of ignorance and false attack, and seems to indicate that you don't really have anything to support your argument with.

I couldn't help but notice that you ignored all of the context of my previous reply, and couldn't address a single point in it. Instead, you had to go for some lame false attack with no bearing in reality.

But thanks for the laugh at the whole "you're not a democrat!" absurdity. :hi:

[Hangingon]

71. This reasoning is going to cost us votes.

[TornadoTN]

65. Nothing wrong with not reading the thread - just keep spouting your inane nonsense

But that's ok, that's what you're known for around here.

It's about the tactics, plain and simple. Plenty of people are sick and tired of recruiters. Plus, if you are as "democratic" as you claim, then you'll feel the same once you have kids.

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

I Find Nothing Wrong With What They're Doing Here. Like I Said, It's Better Than A Draft.

No one is forcing anybody into anything. They have free will and free choice. Hell, they don't even have to walk in the store at midnight if they don't want. See how easy that is? And it sure as heck beats the concept of just outright drafting them, which is your only real alternative.

And enough of the childishly baiting attacks already. They're quite silly and don't do a thing to help your thin argument.

[bighart]

64. Game stop is a PRIVATE Company

no a public institution. We have options regarding the policies they have, shop there or don't. Every one and everything is advertised everywhere, the military is just doing what is normal in marketing. Why do I have to stare at ad's for the new animated movie when I am shopping for cereal at the grocery store, the 2 have nothing what-so-ever in common, or do they? Place your product or ad or spokesman in a location likely to be frequented by those interested in what you are selling. No difference here.

[TornadoTN]

70. Cereal & Cartoons do not compare very well to this

I see what you're getting at, don't get me wrong, but I don't see how it's analogous to military recruitment becoming so invasive in our lives (not to mention the tactics, which have been covered pretty thoroughly in this thread).

I recognize it's a private company. I won't shop there again so I'm exercising my power as a consumer. At the same time, people should be concerned that a company would sanction this in the first place. If they choose to do it, it's their right - but it's also our right to voice our displeasure and buy our products elsewhere.

[bighart]

73. you have re-enforced what I was saying.

Neither you nor I nor anyone else is forced to shop there. If you choose to spend your dollars there then you are expressing support for the policies they have in place. This really comes down to marketing. The military feels this is a good location and time to market themselves and Gamestop
is willing to go along with it. It is possible, although I have no factual information to back this up, that Gamestop is being paid by the military to allow this to happen. Product placement fees are a common in retail and this may be the same kind of thing.

[tammywammy]

21. Me either

The military is still allowed to recruit people. And it's not like anyone's being forced to join after or before buying the game.

:shrug:

[TornadoTN]

29. More cannon fodder

Yeah, lets just let the recruiters drop anchor in every facet of our lives so that we can just become used to the harassment, lies and deception that they are so keen to use.

[tammywammy]

30. It's not hard to just keep walking

:shrug:

I know plenty of people that did join the service and more that didn't. It's not hard to not stop at their table.

[TornadoTN]

34. Thanks for keeping it civil - here's my story about why I despise recruitement tactics

You have a point and I do acknowledge that most people can just keep walking. But I do have a problem with the glamorization of what is going on over in Iraq and the false promises that are fed to these kids that they "won't have to go over there". I have a 20 year old brother that is still getting harassed by the recruiters with this same rhetoric. He refuses to join because of the current state of affairs in this country and it just isn't right for him. So he goes to college and there's recruiters there, he goes home and there's recruiters calling and showing up at his doorstep despite of his objections, he goes out to campus gathering spots and the recruiters are there and if they aren't trying to recruit him they are ridiculing him because of his objections. Not only is this happening to him, it's happening to many of his friends as well. Worse yet, they can't do anything to stop it.

[tammywammy]

36. I see what you're saying

BTW, I always keep it civil. It's okay for people to not agree on something. :)

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

60. Tell Them To Be Thankful That They Actually Have The Right To Say 'No Thanks'.

See, cause we have an all volunteer army and in order for that to stay that way, we need recruiters who actually, like, go out and try and recruit people. Course, the glory in that all is that you, your friends, their friends, can ALL SAY NO. So they're inconvenienced a bit. Whoopdee doo. Would you rather we just scrap the whole volunteer army concept, draft your brother in his friends, and take away their ability to say no whatsoever?

Cause that's the tradeoff, and that's the part you just ain't gettin...

[TornadoTN]

66. There's a point where it becomes harassment

We shouldn't have to trade our peace and quiet away for the fact that there is no draft. We shouldn't have to fear the phone ringing or the doorbell ringing, or going out in public with people in your age group because the recruiters are going to pop up and nag them on their night out.

You don't get. You never will. You're charade here at D.U. is wearing thin.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

68. I Think It's A Small Price To Pay For NOT Being Outright Drafted.

So like I said, they and you should be thankful.

And your childishly baiting attacks serve no purpose but to further make aware your lack of supporting argument.

(and anyone who fears the phone ringing for such reasons, is just a tad on the dramatic side I'd say)

[CRF450]

72. Yup, 20 year old here and I'v been approached by many recruiters

At the time I was thinking of joining the Coast Guard and thats what I told them with a "no thanks" added. Well, I'm holding off on joinging the Coast Guard, but I still say "no thanks" and walk away. Its that simple.

[LanternWaste]

55. Should there be a list...

Should there be a list of "approved" and "not approved" venues recruiters should be subjected to? On what basis do we decide what is or is not an appropriate place to recruit?

My nephew tells me he handles recruiters the same way he handles proselytizers-- he tells them to f*ck off. Although it may not be the most civil way to do it, it certainly seems effective...


On edit-- I am in no way implying an tacit consent or approval for many recruitment tactics-- just thought I'd make mention of that before I get accused of wanting Americans to die or some shit like that again...

[Turbineguy]

8. My son just got out of the Marine Corps

He's not a crazed killer and doesn't have veins in his teeth.

[TornadoTN]

9. Thank you for his service

Obviously, I don't think that the Marine's are bad - quite the contrary.

I have an issue with this because it's being used as a tool to drive recruitement and a company allowing it to happen on their premises. I'm sure you have heard about the excesses and abuses that are attributed to recruiters, I quite simply don't want it happening in our shopping malls to unsuspecting youth.

[mvccd1000]

13. Unsuspecting youth?

I would guess that if the youth are so unsuspecting that they could be tricked into recruiting on the spot, they're probably not quite the mental caliber the military is looking for. :)

[JTFrog]

15. Right. The military

is known for only letting you in if you graduated top 10% of your class! :sarcasm:

[lonestarnot]

17. So. What do you want a fucking medal?

[DS1]

32. bitter, much?

:eyes:

[YOY]

12. Meh...It'll be about as effective as their other ploys

They only thing they've really done effectively to motivate new recruits is the financial incentive.

Halo 3 has been overhyped so much, I thought there must be some big money behind it. There you go.

Of course anyone who can't joins the Army/Marines and thinks they're going to be fighting the Covenant are Darwin awards waiting to happen.

[Cerberus534]

18. I usually get games at gamestop and use their website

quite often for reviews, downloads, and updates. I think I may have to take a trip to my store if they are doing that and when the recruiter comes to me I'll have questions for him he won't be able to answer hehehe =)

[TornadoTN]

20. Welcome to DU!

Call your local store and see what they are doing for the launch. Here in TN, there are plenty of stores featuring recruiters, but it be different in your area.

[YOY]

23. You both need to join the gaming group

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=248

[Cerberus534]

25. Thanks I'll check it out cause we have a few gamestops here

which also owns a Babbages store, and an EB games store here same comapany 3 Different names ...

[DS1]

37. Funny thing about HALO is the commercials seem to focus on how horrible combat really is

and I've seen the spoiler of the ending, and it's not exactly pro-military

[TornadoTN]

39. Nevermind the story of the game, theres sheep to be fooled!

All the more reason to see that the military is increasingly desperate for recruits. The only thing they see is a group of 18-35 year olds in one area for an extended period of time and they butt themselves into it. I'd wager that they would do the same at leftist events if they thought that their demographic would be there in large enough numbers.

[Neecy]

40. I tend to agree with the OP

Kids are preyed upon by military recruiters at school, at malls, at movies (the previews now often feature recruiting videos) and now when they queue up to buy a video game. And yes, some of their tactics are subtle and once you're caught up in their maw they hector you forever.

My nephew showed zero interest in the recruiters who came to his school. However, since the school turned over his personal information to them he was inundated with almost daily mailings, huge color brochures, and endless phone calls. When he went off to college they'd still call my sister's home almost daily and she'd lose it with them, screaming that he's at college and to stop bothering him. They'd calmly ask her for his number at Mizzou. They just never let go.

Good god, leave them alone for one second. The need for cannon fodder is making them so determined to meet recruiting goals it's getting out of hand.

[Fox Mulder]

41. Thank God I reserved my game on Amazon.com.

[halobeam]

48. We called local stores and corporate

The local stores, one kid thought it was "way awesome".. so we asked him then if he's signing up, and he said no.. but it's okay to for others to if they want. Another store employee said, hey, it's bush country, we are deciding whether to allow this in this store or not, we'll know by tomorrow. He was the exact opposite of the other local store we called.

Corporate said they have no information and directed us to call local stores. Interesting, huh? We asked to speak to someone there who has more knowledge of promotions/launches of Halo and the guy said, you ain't gonna get anyone or any number to someone from Corporate to answer you. Then he hung up.

I just think the kids are being harrassed. They have enough to deal with, and this has the potential to interfere with their peace. New meaning to "disturbing the peace", imo.

Interesting to read so many different views.

[TornadoTN]

51. Thanks for the update, I have one as well

I see you are from New York, which leads me to believe that this is nationwide. I can guarantee the Military saw this as a golden opportunity, approached Gamestop about it and they said "well, you'll have to ask the individual stores for permission so that Gamestop corporate doesn't take the heat, but wink wink, go ahead".

All seven stores in my area will be hosting recruiters. One manager told me that while he didn't want to allow it, he felt like he had to do so from his district manager. He even told me that there was some discussion that recruitment literature might be put into bags.

[semillama]

56. I have my copy reserved at the local GameStop. I'll have to see if there are any recruiters there

next tuesday. I'll check back in and post it in the Gamers group.

Interestingly, there are games out there that actually do bring home some of the realities of combat, particularly the Brothers In Arms series. I actually haven't finished the second game because it's a little too real and it can be upsetting when your squad mates die in the game! That's probably not a good game for recruiters to reference, I suppose.

[northzax]

63. wait, isn't HALO 3 a warlike game?

where you are a soldier killing people? Guess what, kids! War ain't a game, and here's your chance to find out.

[AtomicKitten]

67. * ugh *

Well, my 21-year-old son has Halo 3 on order and I guarantee will have some choice words if confronted by recruiters at Gamestop.

When he was in high school, his PE teacher had recruiters comes speak to the students about recruitment during class. I put a stop to that right quick and in a hurry by instigating the opt-out option for parents.

I say sign up the GOP that have a hard-on for war.