Microsoft Game Studios and the U.S. Army has just announced the first official championship of the popular shooter, Halo 3. This tournament will be exclusively on Xbox Live, and promises to offer thousands of gamers “Basic Combat Training” in the sniper, heavy weapons, and vehicle divisions. Does the Army think that future warfare is going to resemble those of Halo? Are we all secretly being trained for combat?

This “winner-takes-all” tournament is going to drop off in March, so make sure to sign up if this is your thing, and we are sure it is.

More details after the break.

Technorati Tags: US Army, Army, Halo 3, Microsoft, Xbox Live

Registration for the first of three training sessions begins on Jan. 7, with gameplay beginning exclusively on Xbox LIVE on Jan. 19. Winners of these Basic Combat Training sessions will receive prizes, including Microsoft Points, exclusive “Halo 3” art, and more.

The Basic Combat Training schedule is as follows:

• Registration begins: 1/7, Training begins: 1/19 – Sniper School
• Registration begins: 1/28, Training begins: 2/9 – Heavy Weapons
• Registration begins: 2/18, Training begins: 3/1– Vehicles

[Via]