Has anyone on RP used video games as a way of coping with deployment or post deployment and if so, which one(s)?

2020-04-20T21:23:52-04:00

We have a research question about the use of video games during and/or post deployment as a way of coping and/or connecting. It could be playing against friends or perhaps with a family member? A response either here or via message would be helpful.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 20 at 2020 9:24 PM

2020-04-20T21:24:12-04:00

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 20 at 2020 9:24 PM

2020-04-20T21:24:27-04:00

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 20 at 2020 9:25 PM

2020-04-20T21:25:07-04:00

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 20 at 2020 9:25 PM

2020-04-20T21:25:20-04:00

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Apr 20 at 2020 9:33 PM

2020-04-20T21:33:33-04:00

Lt Col Charlie Brown I bought a damned Xbox 1S a year ago and still cant make it work! Damned technology!! When did I become my dad?!?!?!?!

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 20 at 2020 9:41 PM

2020-04-20T21:41:24-04:00

On all three of my Iraq tours I used video games a LOT to de-stress. It wasn't a specific coping anything, more just a "I am taking some time to relax and do something I enjoy." Not sure if that qualifies for your research, but there it is.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Apr 20 at 2020 9:43 PM

2020-04-20T21:43:47-04:00

My last deployment there were no video games. I read western novels. Mostly Louis L’Amour

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Apr 20 at 2020 9:53 PM

2020-04-20T21:53:43-04:00

Interesting question. Do you think some games might be therapuetic?

Response by SFC Terry Wilcox made Apr 20 at 2020 10:01 PM

2020-04-20T22:01:01-04:00

Don't think they had video games when I deployed. They, HAHA, barely had color TV.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Apr 20 at 2020 10:11 PM

2020-04-20T22:11:25-04:00

Yes but back then it was Atari

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Apr 20 at 2020 11:51 PM

2020-04-20T23:51:51-04:00

This is important, Lt Col Charlie Brown. Wish there were a way I could participate, but they didn't exist back in the day. Thank you for helping the current batch of service members returning from deployment and younger veterans. You're a good person.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Apr 21 at 2020 4:19 AM

2020-04-21T04:19:16-04:00

We played video games on downtime in the barracks. This was pre 9/11, so during the “quiet time”. I still play to decompress from my current job.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Apr 21 at 2020 5:07 AM

2020-04-21T05:07:51-04:00

No video games,I used books but many of my soldiers did.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2020 9:31 AM

2020-04-21T09:31:13-04:00

I feel like this question has an alternative motive. Video games I don’t think are therapeutic or help deal with coping issues. They don’t provide much connection to being social... it’s like saying I’m social but only post comments on Facebook. I’ve seen people lose their minds over video games and others it’s relaxing. To me there’s not much evidence to relate it to coping with deployments but rather just Use it for personal use if you like it.

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Apr 21 at 2020 10:15 AM

2020-04-21T10:15:09-04:00

My time was waaaaay before video games. And today my fingers are not supple enough to even try to play.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 21 at 2020 12:41 PM

2020-04-21T12:41:31-04:00

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 21 at 2020 2:37 PM

2020-04-21T14:37:24-04:00

Lt Col Charlie Brown Lots and Lots of Mortal Kombat during Desert Strike 96 in the Persian Gulf.

Response by 1SG Tommy McGee made Apr 21 at 2020 8:52 PM

2020-04-21T20:52:57-04:00

I use Call Of Duty Modern Warfare when I’m stressed, not sure why but it sure does help to kill 700 - 800 Zombies. Since the lockdown I have got my daughters to murder zombies with me! We all laugh and joke and run around dancing on the screen. It is a stress reliever for sure.!

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2020 9:26 PM

2020-04-21T21:26:26-04:00

From a chaplain's viewpoint - games in moderation can be fun and relaxing. I enjoy gaming and even held video game tourneys down range. However, when used as a coping mechanism, it can be a two-edged sword and definitely a slippery slope. Avoiding issues and retreating into a virtual world can cause people to disconnect from the real world and the people that matter. It can provide a numbing sense of faux-satisfaction and faux-connection. I have seen video game addiction as factors in both cases of depression and marital breakdown. The addict feels like gaming creates an insular world where they can accomplish things and are connecting with online friends. Meanwhie their real world is burning down around them.

Response by AN Donald Miller made Apr 22 at 2020 11:19 AM

2020-04-22T11:19:52-04:00

Research has and still is being done using video games, more specifically, combat type, to induce the flashbacks associated with combat fatique or as we know It, PTSD, while being monitered. The Dr. then talks the individual down out of the flashback. The research looks promising as a tool to help combat veterans cope in civilian life.

Response by AN Donald Miller made Apr 22 at 2020 11:22 AM

2020-04-22T11:22:32-04:00

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.research.va.gov/currents/0519-Video-games-can-help-Veterans-recover-from-mental-health-challenges.cfm&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjLm8fcqvzoAhUOY6wKHYjjBZsQFjAAegQIChAB&usg=AOvVaw1x-A1E9JZo05QSTXS0ulej

Redirect Notice

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2020 1:47 PM

2020-04-23T13:47:21-04:00

After my second Iraq trip the clinic in Germany was issuing Gameboys to some of the Soldiers who had PTSD/TBIs and it seemed to help with things like attention and focus.
Playing Battlefield helps me when I miss the "fun" of combat, but eventually gets me more stressed when some 12 year old kills me 15 times.
Gran Turismo does wonders for giving me something to focus on when life gets kind of hectic and all over the place. Needing to focus on driving the right line and finessing the throttle really works for me. It also can get the adrenaline going without then"combat" sim of Battlefield, allowing me to get the "fix" without being away or tying the "fix" to combat.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2020 12:36 PM

2020-05-23T12:36:05-04:00

Played allot of World of Warcraft before and after deployment. Still do but not as much now with kids around. Read books a bit and played my PSP during deployment down-times. Good for blowing of steam and taking your mind off things. Not really related but reading before bed has always helped me fall asleep.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2023 11:39 AM

2023-10-10T11:39:09-04:00

1st person shooters are cathartic. I also believe that they improve my reaction time.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2023 4:47 PM

2023-11-20T16:47:54-05:00

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