…I mean, I want to be pithy and all with this one…but it speaks for itself.
In the old days naval recruiters used to get young men drunk in bars, make them scrawl their signature on a bit of paper and next thing the young men knew they woke up not only with a hangover but aboard a ship.
Young men (and women) today spend less time in bars drinking and a lot of time in internet cafes and 11 million of them are pretending to be somebody else on Second Life. So, that’s where the French Navy recruitment drive decided to go and get them, well, a few anyway. It’s the first time a French armed force has used this kind of method to recruit: some say it’s a world first but I couldn’t guarantee that.
From 29 November to 4 December a virtual frigate (which looks remarkably like the yet-to-be-built Franco-Italian FREMM) called in on Second Life which could be visited 24 hours a day and where youngsters could meet virtual sailors who would answer questions about the jobs and careers they might have if they joined the Navy. A competition was also held, first prize being a day aboard a frigate, a real one this time!
Aboard the virtual frigate visitors were given virtual red pompoms (traditionally worn on the hat, the pompom, I learnt the other day, was designed to provide additional protection for the head which, as everyone whose been aboard a ship knows, frequently gets knocked) , could see films, visit an exhibition, hold daily chats with naval pilots, submariners, combat divers but also go up to the command deck for more serious discussions.
OK, so my whole impression of France in the national security realm has changed with the election of Sarkozy. But after this little story, I think I’m going back to calling them “freedom fries.”
Read more about how you can join the French Navy from our Aviation Week friends on Military.com
– Christian
well, the US army did essentially the same thing as America’s Army, but with a lot more self-righteous conditioning.
i wouldn’t be surprised if the US armed forces soon launched a recruitment tool of it’s own in second life.
would you go back to calling them freedom fries? seriously, man.
“Aboard the virtual frigate visitors were given virtual red pompoms (traditionally worn on the hat, the pompom, I learnt the other day, was designed to provide additional protection for the head which, as everyone whose been aboard a ship knows, frequently gets knocked)“
You’ve got to be kidding! Not in this man’s Navy! In almost 5 years on board a US Navy cruiser, I never, ever saw anyone with a pom-pom on their heads for any reason, not even visitors on family days. If that statement is true, it makes the French look really wussy. I give Sarkozy a pass, though; he’s doing a great job.
Forget it. She’s probably not really a chick anyway.
Well, as one Danish entertainer said, with a helpless shrug, whenever something struck him as odd or decidedly too newfangled: “Well, that’s how young people want it these days”.
Regards & all
Thomas L. Nielsen
Denmark
PS: And seriously, the whole “Polish Dog” and “Freedom Fries” thing was pretty ludicrous already the first time around. Especially since those little fried potato pieces weren’t French, but Belgian.
It might be fun to mock the concept as a PR blunder, but considering that the people who are using the Second Life service are already technically savvy enough to work with them and deal with all the technical requirements of using such a service. Also, considering the future of naval combat and battlespace management, having people who can look at a screen and imagine a virtual space around them is going to make things a lot easier for them to deal with the concept of the battlespace, and well…at the very least, people who do spend large amounts of time in Second Life would have experience at being cloistered away in front of a computer for long periods of time.
The major problem with this story is that Second Life has been on a quickly turning death spiral since it’s inception. The whole service was a marketing ploy to begin with, with corporations around the world buying in overnight due to their fear of missing out on “the next big interweb thing”, like they did with myspace.
Spending money on Second Life is a pure investement waste, with absolutely no return. The only thing keeping it alive are these corporations that seem to have way too much money to spend on frivelous pursuits.
The above poster had it exactly.
Pointy-Haired Bosses see an article about “Web Presence in Second Life” and think “We’re completely missing out on this!” and tell their IT division to get something on Second Life ASAP.
Little do they know Second Life is full of furries and perverts who wear virtual assless chaps and virtual c*ck-rings and dance around, rubbing avatars. It’s beyond totally useless: it’s freakish.
sorry to burst your bubble, greg, but real life is full of furries and people who wear assless chaps as well.
@C:
There might even be a few in the French Navy.
I joined Second Life to look for the French naval ship.The only thing I got was stuck on some weird island & I got out of there fast.
it’s sad to see cliche france-bashing as a subsititute for any real insight or commentary.
c’mon guys, it’s like picking on the kid with downs syndrome.
just too easy.
Encouraging people to join the French military who are conditioned to just quit when they’ve had enough of a situation…ahh never mind.
My name is Etuate Nasovasova and I am 20 years of age from Fiji Island.Currently I am are student of Fiji Maritime Institution where I complete my certificate in Deck Apprentice and also pass my Diploma in Natical Science.
Therefore I seek your assistance how can I recruit to be part of your Institution.
Address contact are as follow:
Etuate Nasovasova
P.O.BOX 18178
Suva,
Fiji Island.
Moible number:006799264349.
I am looking forward to your favourable reply Sir.
We discovered that this game need a large of RMB to buy fiesta Gold, or you cannot play a little at all.
Each group fights was brothers of one mind with leader