The U.S. Air Force first began talking about a multipurpose virtual world, MyBase, back in February. The goals of the virtual world would be to recruit and inform civilians, train cadets, and help active airmen prepare for specific missions and ongoing projects. The MyBase RFP was only issued in September and closed in October, but the first stage, recruiting and informing, appears to have gone live today in Second Life. [SLURL] "MyBase is a set of regions dedicated to sharing the history and learning about the U.S. Air Force," explains the sim.
While the exhibits are interactive and educational, they're definitely geared more at public outreach than internal training. Visitors can fly a virtual P51C Mustang, try a challenge course and shooting range, listen to Air Force band music, and see what military life is like.
While there were automated bots on the site, no actual humans were present. There is an option for visitors, if interested, to access a website to talk to a recruiter about an Air Force career.
Other options are still under consideration, though.
"One possible long-term use for this technology is to open a private site in a three-dimensional world, yet to be determined, where active-duty Airmen can attend virtual training and are tracked to receive
course credit," reports the official Air Force Link. "Offering virtual-based training could offset the cost of travel to training sites around the world which often includes lodging and other expenses."
That will raise different security questions if the Air Force decides to pursue Second Life as a platform, but with new options for a firewalled experience on the way, it may be an option.
Congrats to the US Air Force for a great use of Second Life. This allows many people a chance to get a feel for a base that otherwise would never experience it.
I look forward to exploring the build and your automated bots. Great ideas created by passionate people resulting in a definite addition the Second Life.
As a Mentor, I'm sure I'll be sending people over to see what Second Life can be. Best of luck!
Posted by: David Miller | December 04, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Wow! It makes a grizzled old SAC weenie want to get back in! I'm very impressed by the AF's willingness to explore this area for recruitment and training purposes.
I'm also a Mentor and am happy to keep this in my toolbox to show the potential of SL.
Sierra Hotel!
Posted by: Tom Rehnquist | March 02, 2009 at 07:41 AM