In July of 2002, the Army turned on the servers for the America's Army game and watched as thousands of gamers rushed to download our America's Army: Operations RECON version. Since then, more than 9 million players have registered to join the America's Army experience. These players have participated in over 205 million hours of online play exploring Soldiering as members of elite U.S. Army units. These devoted fans catapulted America's Army into the top five online action games at its launch and have kept America's Army in the top ten on the charts ever since .

The development of the game has been an incredible journey for everyone involved -- from the project sponsors in the Pentagon; to the staff here at West Point who run the game; to our Soldiers who have been instrumental in making sure the America's Army game realistically depicts their world; to our developers who get hands on with the Army's technology and weapons. Though the America's Army teams are spread across the country, we are united in our goal of creating a virtual portal into the Army and providing a first hand look at what it is like to be a Soldier.

The game has exceeded all expectations by placing Soldiering front and center within popular culture and showcasing the roles training, teamwork and technology play in the Army. Over the past few years, in more than twenty updates and new game versions, we have opened the world of Soldiering to players and provided them with a soup to nuts virtual experience within which to explore entry level and advanced training as well as Soldiering in small units. We have virtually taken our players through boot camp, Ranger and Airborne training, and even introduced them to the Army's "Quiet Professionals", the elite Special Forces. Through America's Army, players have learned about rules of engagement (ROE), lifesaving, laws of war and Army Values, the set of noble values that are the foundation of the world's premier land force. In the game, successful completion of our unique ABC's of Lifesaving scenarios qualifies players to assume the role of a medic. In real life, this medic training provides fundamental first responder skills. We've heard of several cases where America's Army players have called upon these skills to save lives.

The Army and its developers have won more than 15 awards and accommodations for America's Army. However, what has brought the team the most satisfaction is hearing from the fans and Soldiers who play it. The America's Army fans are incredibly supportive of our efforts, from setting up their own servers, to actively participating in our forums, interacting with our developers and establishing more than 900 fan sites around the world. We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to these players and our promise that we will continue to provide them with the best and most realistic virtual Soldier experience.

U.S. Army Soldiers have written and called us from around the world to tell us about their America's Army game experiences. They speak of the game's realism and attention to detail, noting how accurately the game's training environments mirror the training ranges from Fort Benning to Fort Jackson down to the placement of the trees to the layout of the obstacle course. Numerous Soldiers have told us how they are able to share their Army experiences with fellow gamers. These Soldiers proudly display their Army star icon in the game, and enjoy answering other players' questions about Soldiering. Soldiers who play America's Army speak of the support and encouragement they have received from America's Army fans worldwide. On behalf of the America's Army game project, we would like to thank these fans for supporting our Soldiers as they fight for freedom and liberty around the world.

Today we are working on new technologies, platforms and themes to broaden and deepen the America's Army experience. We will continue to expand the careers covered in the game while adding technological enhancements to intensify the immersive Soldier experience the game affords. As the game evolves, it will expand in richness and detail in terms of the number of resources players can bring to bear in virtual training and operational missions. When appropriate we will work with our government applications teams to incorporate new military technologies into the game to give players a look at the current and future armaments used by our Soldiers. Just as the Army is a dynamic organization, the game will continue to be a dynamic platform for learning about the Army and Soldiering.

On behalf of the U.S. Army, the members of the Army Game Project staff look forward to sharing new virtual Soldier experiences with you over the coming years. God bless America.

- The America's Army Game Leadership Team