(Newswire.net — June 4, 2024) — The Link Trainer, invented in the 1930s, was the first flight simulator, teaching new pilots how to fly by instruments alone. Its crude but effective design featured a Blue Box that mimicked the pitch, roll, and yaw of an aircraft.
By the end of World War II, over half a million pilots were trained on these simulators. Today, immersive experiences from virtual reality and augmented reality simulate dynamic urban warfare settings and complex multinational joint force operations.
“Simulators have a long history of preparing soldiers for the battlefield,” says Scott Dow, president of Heroic Game Day, “and now they will help with recruitment. The education system fails to prepare students for the demands of military service and even regular life, but educational gamification offers a ready solution.”
US military decline traced to the K-12 education system
The principle of “peace through strength” asserts that a robust, technologically advanced military deters potential adversaries. However, cracks line the once seemingly invincible armor of the US military.
A critical factor in the weakening of the US military might be the growing difficulty in recruitment. In 2023, the US Army, Navy, and Air Force all missed their active-duty recruiting goals, reporting a combined shortfall of over 41,000 enlistees.
“Three out of every four American students are ineligible for military service under current recruitment standards,” Dow observes. “This rate of ineligibility traces its roots to deficiencies within the K-12 education system, highlighting a crisis that could potentially undermine the future strength and readiness of the US military.”
The crux of the recruitment crisis lies in three primary areas: educational attainment, physical fitness, and legal or moral standards. The Department of Defense (DoD) reports that 77% of young people between the ages of 17 and 24 do not qualify for service due to failing academic standards, obesity, drug use, or having a criminal record.
Basic literacy and numeracy skills are foundational for military service, but national assessment scores reveal a continuing decline in reading and math proficiency. Closely tied to educational shortcomings is the growing issue of physical unfitness, with obesity rates among children and adolescents more than tripling since the 1970s. Finally, the rise in disqualifications due to legal issues or moral standards reflects the education system’s failure to instill a sense of discipline, accountability, and moral decision-making.
How the DoD can leverage game-based learning to prepare today’s students
Game-based learning presents a viable solution to the military’s growing skills gap. The same technology that trains soldiers can be adapted to teach fundamental skills in a classroom or home environment.
“Just as simulators revolutionize how soldiers prepare for combat, we can integrate game-based learning into the K-12 education system to cultivate skills that the military and the modern workforce demand,” says Dow. “Blending the thrill of gaming with educational content lets students experience a heightened sense of engagement by capturing complex concepts and transforming them into interactive challenges that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.”
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) are at the core of military technology, and advancing STEM education is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Educational games and simulations that mirror real-world scenarios allow students to experiment, manipulate variables, and see the immediate consequences of their choices. These virtual experiences spark an interest in STEM careers and provide a strong foundation for future military or civilian roles.
Beyond STEM, the workplace and the military require individuals with sharp tactical skills and excellent situational awareness. Educational gamification teaches students the importance of strategy, resource management, and adaptability by exposing them to simulated high-pressure situations, helping them develop mental resilience. Similarly, games that present ethical dilemmas or encourage teamwork contribute to character development and strengthen moral decision-making.
Investing in game-based education for military families
According to a survey of 11,000 active duty, reserve, and National Guard families, their children’s education ranks among their top five concerns. Children of full-time US Armed Forces personnel typically not only move to new states, countries, and schools multiple times but war-related family stresses and immersion in military culture also define their early life. The added benefit of game-based skills learning can help military families overcome these challenges.
“America’s Heroic School is launching a program to help enroll the children of the nation’s 800,000 military families in the Heroic GameDay skills learning platform,” Dow explains. “The highly scalable game-based platform incorporates several exciting features. The Heroic Game Day Skills Competition World Cup enables kids to compete globally as they learn critical life skills, the Heroic Parent app connects military parents to their kids’ progress, and the Junior Military College issues certificates of achievement in leadership training accredited by affiliate colleges.”
With the help of Dow’s organization, every military student will have access to a Heroic Learning Device. If they do the work, they’ll own the device after two years. The Five Star Plan is designed to turbocharge military students’ exposure to technology, making them excited to excel regardless of the career they choose.
“Military strength starts with recruiting the smartest, most patriotic, emotionally strong, and confident individuals to operate our most technologically advanced systems,” says Dow. “Strength is also investing in military families and ensuring their children have the education they deserve. Game-based learning is ready to prepare the next generation to meet the challenges of the constantly evolving workplace or the rigors of military service.”l