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Does the Military Support Call of Duty? Unpacking a Complex Relationship

The relationship between the military and Call of Duty (CoD) is complex, nuanced, and often misunderstood. While the U.S. Army doesn’t currently have a direct sponsorship agreement with Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty League, elements of the military and related organizations maintain ties to the game and its community. These ties range from recruitment efforts to charitable partnerships and even using the game as a platform for reaching potential recruits. It’s crucial to distinguish between direct financial support, marketing partnerships, and the broader presence of military culture within the game and its surrounding ecosystem. The original sponsorship deal ended in 2021, but several factors blur the lines and warrant a deeper investigation into the real connection between the US military and Call of Duty.

Understanding the Different Facets of Involvement

The association between the military and Call of Duty manifests in several ways, each with its own implications:

Past Sponsorships: The U.S. Army and Navy previously utilized Call of Duty esports platforms for recruitment. This involved sponsoring esports teams and tournaments and utilizing the game’s streaming platforms to reach a younger audience.
Recruitment Tool: The game itself, with its realistic depictions of combat and military themes, can serve as an unofficial recruitment tool. While not explicitly designed for this purpose, the immersive experience can pique the interest of young people considering military service.
Charitable Partnerships: Organizations like the Call of Duty Endowment (CODE) receive significant funding from Activision Blizzard and other corporate partners. CODE’s mission is to help veterans find high-quality jobs. This provides tangible support to the veteran community and contributes to a positive association with the Call of Duty brand.
USAA Collaboration: The financial services company USAA, which primarily serves military members and veterans, often partners with Call of Duty for various initiatives, including offering exclusive in-game content and sponsoring esports events. This strengthens the game’s connection with the military community.
Military Use of Games: Outside of Call of Duty, the military uses various video games for training purposes. While Call of Duty isn’t the primary training tool, the military recognizes the value of video games in developing skills such as decision-making, teamwork, and situational awareness.

The End of Official Sponsorship and Workplace Culture

The U.S. Army’s decision to halt its planned sponsorship with Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty esports league, a decision made public in 2021, was largely influenced by allegations of Activision’s workplace culture of harassment and discrimination. This highlights the sensitivity surrounding partnerships with companies facing ethical concerns and the military’s need to maintain a positive public image. However, this doesn’t completely sever all ties. The military is extremely careful who they align with, especially in the wake of numerous PR scandals involving social media content.

Games for Training and Education: Games Learning Society

The use of video games for training purposes, and the broader application of game-based learning principles, is a growing field of study. Groups such as the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org actively researches these techniques and provides additional information on this topic. This includes a discussion of the applications of simulations, game-based learning, and serious games.

The Broader Implications

The ongoing relationship, even without official sponsorships, raises several crucial questions. Is the military’s presence in gaming spaces appropriate? Does it constitute a form of propaganda? How does the game’s depiction of warfare influence public perception of the military? These are complex questions with no easy answers, and they warrant careful consideration. The discussion should always include the ethics of representation and the potential impact on young minds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the relationship between the military and Call of Duty:

1. Did the US Army cancel the Call of Duty deal?

Yes, the US Army halted a planned sponsorship with Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty esports league. This decision was influenced by allegations of Activision’s workplace culture of harassment and discrimination.

2. Does the military support CoD?

Not in the form of direct sponsorship anymore, but organizations tied to the military, like USAA, continue to partner with Call of Duty related events. Moreover, the game’s realistic depiction of military themes can indirectly support recruitment efforts.

3. Does CoD receive military funding?

The Call of Duty Endowment (CODE) receives funding from Activision Blizzard, gamers, corporate partners, and individual donors. Activision Blizzard covers all of the operating costs for the Endowment, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to veteran job placement programs. It does not receive direct military funding.

4. Does the US military use video games?

Yes, the military uses different types of games for training purposes, including first-person shooter games, flight simulators, and tactical games. These games provide realistic scenarios for soldiers to practice decision-making, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.

5. Is “Call Of Duty” a US Military PSYOP?

While the military doesn’t have an overt agenda with the Call of Duty franchise, the Army did previously use Call of Duty for recruitment purposes. The military no longer sponsors Call of Duty leagues and competitive events.

6. Does the US military sponsor Call of Duty?

“The Army has no current relationship with Activision. The Army’s sponsorship of Call of Duty League, produced by Activision Blizzard, was set to expire in August of 2021,” an Army spokesperson told Military.com in a statement. However, the Army Reserve still recruits from college and high school game clubs and esports.

7. Can you be a gamer in the army?

Yes, you can be a gamer in the Army. In fact, the Army has its own eSports team, where soldiers are assigned to the unit and compete in various gaming tournaments.

8. Do US soldiers still see combat?

While not all service members in the United States Armed Forces serve in combat, some do. Fewer than 15 percent of enlisted personnel ever see combat or are assigned a combat role.

9. Can military call you back on active duty?

Yes, generally speaking, any reservist can be recalled to active duty for the duration of a declared war or national emergency, plus an additional six months. This emergency or war declaration must be issued by Congress.

10. Do US soldiers get paid in cash?

The military no longer organizes cash-based pay. Soldiers receive their pay through direct deposit or other electronic methods.

11. How is COD paid?

COD, or Cash on Delivery, refers to a payment method where the customer pays the deliverer or shipper using cash or card. This is unrelated to the Call of Duty franchise itself. The COD amount is then deposited into the account of the logistics partner or shipper. The logistics company remits the amount to the seller’s account after deducting the handling charges.

12. What wars have Call of Duty done?

Call of Duty spans various historical periods and fictional scenarios, including World War II, the Cold War, the present, the near future, and the far future.

13. Does USAA team up with Call of Duty?

Yes, USAA often partners with Call of Duty for various initiatives, including offering exclusive in-game content and sponsoring esports events such as the C.O.D.E. Bowl.

14. Can veterans get drafted?

Veterans are generally exempt from service in peacetime draft. However, there may be exceptions depending on the individual’s circumstances and the specific regulations in place.

15. Do female US soldiers see combat?

Yes, women serve in every branch of the U.S. military and have served in combat roles. More than 300,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11, and more than 9,000 have earned Combat Action Badges.

Does the military support Call of Duty?