The USO’s 72-hour Streamathon made its debut in 2020. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Escape from Tarkov, and Apex Legends were among the games streamed by service members and celebrities. The USO is doubling down on the streamathon in 2021.
The USO is pivoting into the world of gaming, recognizing the importance of esports and the digital community for the next generation of troops. As a result, the Operation Play It Forward Streamathon in 2021 will last a full 72 hours. The event will start on Veterans Day, November 11th at noon ET, and end on November 14th at noon ET on the USO’s official Twitch channel.
The Streamathon will feature celebrities, top gamers, influencers, athletes, and more, including JuJu Smith-Schuster of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers, celebrity gamer Tfue, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, and Trevor May of the New York Mets.
While video games have long been a popular pastime among military personnel, the rise of digital platforms such as Twitch and Discord has given them new meaning. Troops in the barracks can communicate more easily with their peers on the other side of the world and participate in a virtual community that offers stress relief and support. The military has recognized this and has created esports teams and dedicated gaming servers within its ranks.
The USO is also expanding its services to include a stronger gaming component. In a press release, USO senior vice president of operations, programs, and entertainment Christopher Plamp, said that through the support of their partners and the gaming community, the USO is building a first-in-class gaming program that provides the military community opportunities for stress relief, entertainment, and connection and added saying that video games help service members connect with their loved ones, civilians, veterans, and the larger gaming community.”
He added that USO invites all members of the military community and supporters to join them for an exciting 72-hours of gaming with celebrities and fellow gamers while playing some of the hottest video games on the market.
On November 13th from 3 to 7 p.m., there will be a Battle of the Branches presented by Geico Military as part of the 72-hour streamathon. ET. The USO and Beats Electronics will auction off one-of-a-kind autographed Beats products in the weeks leading up to the streamathon. The auction’s proceeds will benefit military personnel and their families.
Since 1941, the USO has provided support to troops and their families. With this Streamathon, the organization demonstrates its commitment to the next generation’s morale and well-being.