By Alfred Hermida Technology editor, BBC News website
Sergeant Zedwick and Major Amerine feature in the game
The US military is putting soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan into its video game in an attempt to put a human face on its operations overseas.
The soldiers' stories are part of a new version of America's Army, a game which is part of its recruitment strategy.
The US military denies that the project is a way of selling an unpopular war to the American public.
Instead the free game is designed to inspire young people by relating the real-life experiences of the troops.
"The majority of the public is not touched by the war," said Major Jason Amerine, who served in Afghanistan and is one of the nine soldiers appearing in the game.
"It is dangerous to have an army overseas fighting and for a public to become so disconnected that they don't realise that we are not automatons over there. We're real people," he told the BBC News website.
'Real heroes'
America's Army was first released in July 2002 and has gone on to become one of the top online games, with seven million registered players.
It taps into the popularity of military and war simulation titles among predominantly young men.
It shows we are not robots, that we're not trained killing machines. We're just people
Matt Zedwick, National Guardsman
It was developed by the Army to simulate combat and life in the military and reach young people for whom video games are a part of everyday life.
In the latest version of the game, called America's Army: Special Forces (Overmatch), the military is adding the experiences of nine soldiers who served in Afghanistan or Iraq.
The title has a so-called real heroes section when players can learn about the real-life troops.
In a virtual recruiting room, gamers can click on a soldier to hear them tell their story. They can also compare their achievements in the game to those of the GIs.
"It gets our stories out there about what the army is doing," said Sergeant Matt Zedwick, who served and was wounded during a tour of duty in Iraq in 2004.
"It is a good communications device to introduce people to what is really going on, rather than what you see on the news."
"It shows we are not robots, that we're not trained killing machines. We're just people," said the 25-year-old who is now studying graphic design at a college in Oregon.
Reaching the public
The US military sees America's Army as an information, rather than as a recruitment, tool.
The game is designed to be as realistic as possible
The latest version was showcased at last week's E3 games expo in Los Angeles and is due to be released in the summer.
It comes at a time of growing unease in the US about the war in Iraq.
And last year, an official US government study warned that the military was falling behind in its effort to recruit troops for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But the people involved in the title say there is no connection between the new game and America's troubles over its combat operations.
"We're not talking about the war, we're talking about people in the war," insisted Major Amerine, who served in Afghanistan in 2001 during the initial invasion.
"We are not attempting in any way to sell a war to the people, that has nothing to do with our agenda.
"We're trying to create awareness about the people doing the fighting, and that is a very apolitical agenda," said the major who now teaches at West Point.
Toy soldiers
The figures are intended to be collector's items
As part of "real heroes" campaign, figures of the soldiers featured in the game are to go on sale.
The Army says these are not designed to be toys for children but items for collectors who wish to express their support for the troops.
Seeing themselves as little plastic soldiers is a strange experience for the troops involved.
"It is kinda funny and a little creepy. Unbelievable in a way," said Sergeant Zedwick.
"It is kind of funny to think there are going to be millions of people buying little dolls of you in the stores."
Amazing what can be done to 'sell' a war. The Vets however have probably had enough of the war, most of them are disabled for life, not counting the ones who lost their lives.
Birgit and Roger
I Was Drafted In To Army-Engineer Draftsman-2nd mos-Grave Diggers-
Just Think Of $BILLION$ Alone Us Government Does Not Have To Pay Out In Social Security $$ Taxes To Those Soldiers DEAD_
ALL ABOVE SIMPLY BE SOLVED BY--Dropping 1 NEUTRON BOMB...
I Love My Country USA--But, I LOVE THE TRUTH MORE...
TRASK
Reviewed by Crystal Silver Angel (Reader)
Reviewed on May 20, 2006
(((Hi Peter )))
this is an interesting concept. I am in full support of the idea because yes people need to understand there are real people in those uniforms they wear. That they have families, hearts, gifts, dreams and lives outside the barracks. I so deeply support those that serve. We must remember also the fallen and disabled. They are not to be forgotten as many times they are left alone, hurt by the war. I probably will do a poem soon about all this… It is the left wing liberals all over this world that many do not understand their devoted missions to America.They do not understand but they shout words and actions that are very hurtful, stupid. Many people do not agree with the war, but they do not I always say, they DO NOT have to put these precious people down. If I see a man or woman in uniform in public I always feel, Peter, society is forgetting them. It’s written all over them ..They are beloved sisters and brothers who we should adore and support…I pray daily for their strength and their safety. We must as healers keep shining the light.. They are just serving our America. And yes, I am not a liberal and I do support efforts in both Afghanistan and Iraq. I’m proud of my president making America safer after 9/11, over all, I support it and it looks like that we probably will send troops to Iran border to settle that mad mans nuclear weapons disarmament. What a wacko. I know in my heart we will be going to war with Iran. War is inevitable in all those non free societys..Bush always gets the liberal media putting him down. It just makes me pray harder for him. There is this sense of spirit upon him that is so worn, so tired. We must keep him always in prayer as other world leaders...I pray for that country daily and ask Michael Archangel to deal with all that darkness world wide… I was thinking strong yesterday about our troops and especially our fallen ones. Each face that carried the torch of freedom died not in vein and it’s people such as the light bearers that indeed ( a true bearer for light would not in my opinion look at out troops with such disgust, anger, dismissal. A true light bearer would want to display a humanitarian cause to help others… True light bearers wish to touch the lives in a heart felt way regardless if they agree with war effort.. I say it because I am not afraid to speak the truth about many new agers, Peter.. I see all these so called liberals that practice metaphysics, new age but don’t show or pray love.. We as the ones for peace and agape honor their lives, the ones still here and fallen. Peter, in October of last year I was in Los Angeles at the VA center. That experience changed me forever. I laughed and cried and held the hands of those disabled vets. I had never had such joy unspeakable than to go and visit them in the hospital. Tears pour my eyes still now when I think of the emotional impact I felt so deeply. The agape was almost the highest I had ever felt, dear man. many women and men touched me there, in particular there was a precious saint man, a elderly colored gentleman of about 56 years old, fighting cancer, fighting phenomena, fighting a tumor.. He looked at me with te4ars streaming and streaming as I held him so close to my heart. He knew he was very ill and his daughter, only baby girl was getting married in a few weeks. He face poured with tears as he said he wished God would gift him more time on earth just to walk his baby girl down the isle. I held him so tight and I prayed with my sister and him. Tubes were coming out of his nose all over the place. My sister read to him the 91st psalm. I left with his echo’s of his angelic like being still firmly in my heart. Yes, we need to see these precious people as human beings who deserve utmost respect, even if others do not agree with their war, we can still love. Those left wingers just really get to me sometimes, Peter. We must do all we can to keep interceding for them everyday.There is much work to be done. I am going to Nashville to the VA in a few months. I know the soldiers will be so happy to get a visitor. They love that and I always hold their hand and tell them thank you for serving America and you are honored for the price they paid. Many of them are simply discouraged ( the ones that are disabled) yet I always say there is no disability the way secular society claims. That says people are not as worthy, good, capable and I know we can and do great things with physical, emotional, mental differences. I honor our country and our men and women who so proudly serve. Thank you for this refreshing piece here..
Boom! Pain! Blackness!
After an RPG attack on their barracks in Afghanistan, corpsmen, Amber Fox, Luke Owens , Wade Scott and Ross Miller wake up in an Army hospital in Germany.
Thus, begins a months long recovery for all of them. A
A touching, loving and spirtual insight of the dying process, filled with peace, smiles and starting on their journey, taking me with them as far as I could go, returning back with something I didn't have before. Will be out early in 2010..on Kindle
In the second book of the BetterWorld trilogy, Kiyoko and her friends continue to fight MediaCorp's schemes to control the world. But a team of ruthless mercenaries is after them, and is closing in fast.
It shows we are not robots, that we're not trained killing machines. We're just people 
Birgit and Roger
Just Think Of $BILLION$ Alone Us Government Does Not Have To Pay Out In Social Security $$ Taxes To Those Soldiers DEAD_
ALL ABOVE SIMPLY BE SOLVED BY--Dropping 1 NEUTRON BOMB...
I Love My Country USA--But, I LOVE THE TRUTH MORE...
TRASK
this is an interesting concept. I am in full support of the idea because yes people need to understand there are real people in those uniforms they wear. That they have families, hearts, gifts, dreams and lives outside the barracks. I so deeply support those that serve. We must remember also the fallen and disabled. They are not to be forgotten as many times they are left alone, hurt by the war. I probably will do a poem soon about all this… It is the left wing liberals all over this world that many do not understand their devoted missions to America.They do not understand but they shout words and actions that are very hurtful, stupid. Many people do not agree with the war, but they do not I always say, they DO NOT have to put these precious people down. If I see a man or woman in uniform in public I always feel, Peter, society is forgetting them. It’s written all over them ..They are beloved sisters and brothers who we should adore and support…I pray daily for their strength and their safety. We must as healers keep shining the light.. They are just serving our America. And yes, I am not a liberal and I do support efforts in both Afghanistan and Iraq. I’m proud of my president making America safer after 9/11, over all, I support it and it looks like that we probably will send troops to Iran border to settle that mad mans nuclear weapons disarmament. What a wacko. I know in my heart we will be going to war with Iran. War is inevitable in all those non free societys..Bush always gets the liberal media putting him down. It just makes me pray harder for him. There is this sense of spirit upon him that is so worn, so tired. We must keep him always in prayer as other world leaders...I pray for that country daily and ask Michael Archangel to deal with all that darkness world wide… I was thinking strong yesterday about our troops and especially our fallen ones. Each face that carried the torch of freedom died not in vein and it’s people such as the light bearers that indeed ( a true bearer for light would not in my opinion look at out troops with such disgust, anger, dismissal. A true light bearer would want to display a humanitarian cause to help others… True light bearers wish to touch the lives in a heart felt way regardless if they agree with war effort.. I say it because I am not afraid to speak the truth about many new agers, Peter.. I see all these so called liberals that practice metaphysics, new age but don’t show or pray love.. We as the ones for peace and agape honor their lives, the ones still here and fallen. Peter, in October of last year I was in Los Angeles at the VA center. That experience changed me forever. I laughed and cried and held the hands of those disabled vets. I had never had such joy unspeakable than to go and visit them in the hospital. Tears pour my eyes still now when I think of the emotional impact I felt so deeply. The agape was almost the highest I had ever felt, dear man. many women and men touched me there, in particular there was a precious saint man, a elderly colored gentleman of about 56 years old, fighting cancer, fighting phenomena, fighting a tumor.. He looked at me with te4ars streaming and streaming as I held him so close to my heart. He knew he was very ill and his daughter, only baby girl was getting married in a few weeks. He face poured with tears as he said he wished God would gift him more time on earth just to walk his baby girl down the isle. I held him so tight and I prayed with my sister and him. Tubes were coming out of his nose all over the place. My sister read to him the 91st psalm. I left with his echo’s of his angelic like being still firmly in my heart. Yes, we need to see these precious people as human beings who deserve utmost respect, even if others do not agree with their war, we can still love. Those left wingers just really get to me sometimes, Peter. We must do all we can to keep interceding for them everyday.There is much work to be done. I am going to Nashville to the VA in a few months. I know the soldiers will be so happy to get a visitor. They love that and I always hold their hand and tell them thank you for serving America and you are honored for the price they paid. Many of them are simply discouraged ( the ones that are disabled) yet I always say there is no disability the way secular society claims. That says people are not as worthy, good, capable and I know we can and do great things with physical, emotional, mental differences. I honor our country and our men and women who so proudly serve. Thank you for this refreshing piece here..
Love And Healing, Dove