YOUNG STUDENTS GET TASTE OF ARMY LIFE IN AIKEN BARRACKS
DEFENCE FORCES RECRUITMENT ROADSHOW AT AIKEN BARRACKS
FROM interactive real-life mission experiences to weaponry drills, young men and women got their first taste of army life as the Defence Forces recruitment roadshow arrived in town last week.
With a special open day at Aiken Barracks, the recruitment campaign saw an open invitation to schools and career planning young people aged 18 to 24 years old to find out more about military life.
With VR headsets on hand to give an up close and head spinning experience, potential recruits from the x-box generation enjoyed an eye-opening few hours under the guidance of 27th battalion personnel.
In military speak, the VR experience allowed potential recruits to ‘crew the main weapon of an 18.5 tonne MOWAG Close Reconnaissance vehicle as it embarked on a patrol in a hostile environment.’
With queues of young men and women lining up to try the virtual reality experience for themselves, they can hardly have noticed that history was being made, as this was the first time anywhere in the world a ‘first person interactive video’ was used as part of a recruitment campaign.
A spokesman for the 27th Battalion explained that the video ‘ A New Dawn’ uses a ‘real soldier avatar to fully immerse game players in the reality of becoming a soldier in a platoon which is conducting joint land, sea and air assault.’
‘ The scenario, where every decision has a consequence, offers an unprecedented opportunity for players to appreciate the skill, determination and courage required as they take part in their basic training.’
The roadshow was part of the nationwide recruitment campaign launched recently by Defence Minister, Paul Kehoe, with plans to recruit 80 applicants across general service, apprentices and cadets.
‘ This campaign is reaching out to potential recruits on platforms that they are accustomed to, offering them a unique opportunity to become immersed in the type of defence forces training exercise they can expect to face as they begin their military careers,’ said Minister Kehoe.