Editing America's Army (section)

=== Army Experience Center ===
From August 29, 2008, to July 31, 2010, the U.S. Army operated the Army Experience Center, a facility where visitors could virtually experience many aspects of Army life. Located inside the Franklin Mills Mall in Philadelphia, the {{convert|14500|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility featured a number of interactive simulations and online learning programs to inform visitors about Army careers, training, and educational opportunities.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=U.S. Army News |date=2008-09-02 |author =McLeroy, Carrie |title=Army Experience Center opens in Philadelphia |url=https://www.army.mil/article/12072/army-experience-center-opens-in-philadelphia/ |access-date=2008-10-28 | archive-url= http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090811120507/http%3A//www%2Earmy%2Emil/%2Dnews/2008/09/02/12072%2Darmy%2Dexperience%2Dcenter%2Dopens%2Din%2Dphiladelphia/| archive-date= August 11, 2009| url-status= live}}</ref>

Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army, said, "Potential recruits are afforded a unique opportunity through the Army Experience Center to learn what it means to be the best-led, best-trained and best-equipped Army in the world by allowing them to virtually experience multiple aspects of the Army."<ref>{{cite web |publisher=MarketWatch.com |title=U.S. Army Opens 'Army Experience Center' in Philadelphia: High-Tech Facility Allows Visitors to Experience Many Aspects of Army |date=2008-08-29 |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/us-army-opens-army-experience/story.aspx?guid=%7B8650D27D-4056-4C42-961F-BB180FB2E1A0%7D&dist=hppr |access-date=2008-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126070104/http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/us-army-opens-army-experience/story.aspx?guid=%7B8650D27D-4056-4C42-961F-BB180FB2E1A0%7D&dist=hppr |archive-date=2009-01-26 |url-status=live }}</ref> The head of Army Recruiting Command, Major General Thomas Bostick, called the AEC "a learning laboratory"—but not just for those who are thinking of joining. "It's incumbent upon the American public to know about their Army", Bostick said.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=USA Today |author=Matheson, Kathy |date=2008-08-30 |title=Army Experience Center offers simulations at mall |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-08-30-army-experience-center_N.htm?csp=34 |access-date=2008-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220131612/http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-08-30-army-experience-center_N.htm?csp=34 |archive-date=2009-02-20 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2010, the Army closed the center at the end of its two-year pilot program.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/army-experience-center-test-program-ends-july-31-96048299.html |title=Army Experience Center Test Program Ends July 31 - PHILADELPHIA, June 10 /PRNewswire/ |publisher=Prnewswire.com |access-date=2014-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112234036/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/army-experience-center-test-program-ends-july-31-96048299.html |archive-date=2014-01-12 |url-status=live }}</ref>