Diverse News 2008®

U.S. Army Opens 'Army Experience Center' in Philadelphia

High-Tech Facility Allows Visitors to Experience Many Aspects of Army

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army today
opened the Army Experience Center (AEC), a state-of-the-art educational
facility where visitors can virtually experience many aspects of Army life.
Located inside Franklin Mills Mall in Philadelphia, the 14,500-square-foot
facility is the centerpiece of the Army Experience Pilot Program to test
and evaluate new marketing strategies.

The facility features a number of interactive simulations and online
learning programs to inform visitors about the many Army careers, training
and educational opportunities. AEC visitors will virtually experience the
Army through hands-on interactive displays and educational technologies.

"The Army offers the next generation of volunteers an opportunity to
serve our nation as well as excellence in education, training, technology
and career opportunities to succeed now and in the future," says Pete
Geren, Secretary of the Army. "Potential recruits are afforded a unique
opportunity through the Army Experience Center to learn what it means to be
the best-led, best-trained and best-equipped Army in the world by allowing
them to virtually experience multiple aspects of the Army."

The AEC provides Philadelphians and other mid-Atlantic residents a
unique opportunity to learn about aspects of the Army they may not be
familiar with. Participants can experience the Army for themselves through
interaction with high-tech virtual experiences, real-world technologies and
with Soldiers. The AEC will also be a hub for education and community
outreach programs. Staff will partner with educational institutions to
bring programs and interactive career resources to the Philadelphia area.

The AEC highlights how Soldiers are equipped with cutting-edge
technologies to accomplish complex missions by putting visitors in the
roles of Soldiers and providing them hands-on interaction with mission
simulations. The experience allows participants to see how technology,
training and teamwork combine to make the Army the world's premier land
power.

"The Army is a learning organization that constantly strives to improve
its operations and we've found that virtual experiences are an effective
way to communicate the value of Army service," says Edward Walters, Deputy
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Recruiting and Retention. "The Army has
had great success with experiential marketing and communications, including
the America's Army game and the Virtual Army Experience, and has leveraged
the knowledge and experience from both properties for the AEC."

An AEC visit includes Soldiers leading people through Army equipment
simulators, interactive installations, and a number of online education
programs. Participant activity areas include a Command and Control Center,
where high-tech briefings are conducted; an interactive career center for
exploring many of the 150+ Army career opportunities; realistic Army
simulators that include an Apache helicopter, a Black Hawk helicopter, and
an Armored Humvee vehicle. There also are gaming areas featuring Xbox 360
pods, networked personal computers for gaming via a local area network, and
games that include America's Army, the official game of the U.S. Army.
Through these experiences, visitors learn about the breadth of career
choices and a multitude of education, training, health care and
quality-of-life benefits available to Soldiers.

"AEC visitors will have a better understanding of the training and
career opportunities afforded our Soldiers, and the high-tech nature of our
institution," Walters adds. "After talking with our Soldiers, participants
will have a greater appreciation for the nation's 'Army Strong' men and
women and how their Army careers and adherence to Army Values have
positively impacted their future and the future of our country."

For more information about the Army Experience Center, go to
http://www.TheArmyExperience.com . For more information about the U.S. Army, go to
http://www.goarmy.com or http://www.army.mil .