The US Army is now using video games to reel in new recruits.

The Army revealed a plan to dip its does into the world of esports, calling on active duty troops and reservists to take part in gaming competitions, according to Stars and Stripes.

While few details have been released, officials say a website will soon be online to inform hopefuls of how to join – and, they’ll soon be holding tryouts for the team.

The upcoming esports team will be part of the Army’s Marketing and Engagement Team at Fort Knox, Ky, and travel expenses for competitions will be covered by the Army, according to Stars and Stripes. File photo

The Army launched its own first-person shooter game 15 years ago in a bid to step up its recruiting tactics, Stars and Stripes reports.

But now, it’s planning to take things a step further.

By having active duty members take part in video game tournaments, the Army is hoping it can get across to more young Americans.

‘They will be in a support role to help young people see soldiers in a different light and understand the many different roles people can have in the Army and help the Army address the growing disconnect with society,’ Army Recruiting Command spokeswoman Kelli Bland told Stars and Stripes.

Those who participate in the esports team will also be able to test out Army beta apps and training software.

The move comes after officials revealed the Army fell 6,500 recruits of its 76,500 target for the last fiscal year.

The upcoming esports team will be part of the Army’s Marketing and Engagement Team at Fort Knox, Ky, and travel expenses for competitions will be covered by the Army, according to Stars and Stripes.

In recent years, the US military has taken a number of steps to modernize, and has used video games on more than one occasion to reach its younger members and hopefuls.

The Navy last year even revealed it would incorporate Xbox 360 controllers to its newer submarines in a bid to slash both prices and training time

CAN VIDEO GAMES MAKE YOU LESS EMPATHETIC? In a recent study, researchers looked at the three games participants played most, and noted if they were of a violent nature (such as shooting game Call of Duty) or non-violent (such as Fifa). They tracked the brainwaves of participants using electroencephalography (EEG). At the same time they completed a 'stop-signal task' which contained male and female faces looking either happy or scared. The study found gaming was linked to lower empathy and emotional callousness. Researchers believe this is because it inhibits people's ability to process emotional facial expression and control their responses as a result. Advertisement

The Navy last year even revealed it would incorporate Xbox 360 controllers to its newer submarines in a bid to slash both prices and training time.

Xbox controllers are already familiar to many younger sailors, meaning they’d take much more quickly to the tasks.

The controllers are being used to operate periscopes in the Navy's Virginia-class subs.

The Navy planned to include the Xbox controllers as part of the integrated imaging system for Virginia-class subs beginning with the future USS Colorado, the Virginian-Pilot reported last year.