Didn't read the article but just wanted to mention, they always did this for years

I don't have a ton of world experience, but I've attended a con every year for the past several years and there's always army booths and police booths.

Same in Italy. I've seen police/army booths in all gaming conventions I've took part in, even years before the the Ukraine war.

Maybe it's an unpopular opinion, but I'm not particularly offended by it. I think it makes sense for cyber security/high tech jobs to look for recruits in a place that's full of nerds that could fit the criteria. And I also know that there are many train/aviation/weapons enthusiasts in the gaming world who could do that shit for a living.

That being said, I don't think that a recruitment booth in a gaming convention is particularly effective at reaching potential candidates. If somebody wanted to join the army, they probably already did. I don't know anyone who was on the fence, and decided to enlist after visiting the army booth in a gaming convention lol
I suppose, if they keep doing it, that it's somehow more effective than I think it is?

I’ll never forget the day a friend and I were leaving a gamestop and a us army recruiter approached us and said “Do you wanna live the Call of Duty life?”. I didn’t want to be disrespectful, so I said “No, I don’t think so.” and kept on walking. When we got back to my friend’s car I immediately said “Does he realize how many times I die in that game?” and we both burst out laughing.

As much fun as a shooter can be, I would not want to die over and over in real life.

Also Germany banned and censored Killerspiele (killing games) for years and talked down on those creepy gamer bunch. But now that it's convenient...

Last time I was at ComiCon there was a booth for the US military and a booth for THC/CBD right next to each other and there was a pack of half a dozen furries checking out both of them.

Been doing so for as long as it exists. Secret services too.

The Games Behind Your Government's Next War

tbh I wasn't sure who was cosplaying and who wasn't. They were everywhere lol. Edit: I was just out there to have a good time. That's all.

Given the advances in drones, they will need more people who can fly them and whatever else they invent. Video games sounds like the perfect hobby for the tech to do so.

An international event is an odd place to try to recruit.

I would join up but I don't understand a lick of German so that might inhibit my effectiveness somewhat. The best I can do is English in the stereotypical German accent, although obviously I will be writing names in my little black book, not sure if that would be acceptable or not.

I was in a aviation event today, and they were also there. Germany has to reach a target of recruits because of NATO, and they are quitw a ways behind.

Let's play Games

Maybe some Battlefield or Call of Duty players will apply.