Sunday, June 15th, 2008

Operation Bubba Gump

The U.S. Army is preparing for its full-on Toys ‘R Us Times Square experience:

In August, the military plans to open its first Army Experience Center, a combination recruiting center/video arcade/retail store to promote serving your country.

Rumored to becoming to Times Square, it’ll be like the Disney Store, except with guns and camouflage.

The 14,500-square-foot center will be a multimedia extravaganza with high-tech gadgetry, including flight simulators and life-size soldier video games.

That person greeting you at the door? That’s an actual Army officer.

While the Army will sell a small amount of merchandise at the venue, the focus is on building “brand experi ences” that give poten tial recruits a taste of military service.