JCPenney and other toy retailers have offered a 'Forward Command Post' military playset for youngsters.
To the dismay of some parents around the U.S., the 'Forward Command Post' described above and pictured here is indeed a real toy that was offered in 2002 by retailers such as JCPenney, eToys, and KBtoys. The product was described with promotional snippets such as the following:[JCPenney.com, 2002] Forward Command Post Take command of your soldiers from this fully outfitted battle zone. 75-piece set includes one 11½'H figurine in military combat gear, toy weapons, American flag, chairs and more. Assembled dimensions; 32x16x32″H. Plastic. 10 lbs. Ages 5 and up. [eToys.com, 2002] Military Forward Command Post with Two 12″ Military Action Figures Over 2 feet tall when assembled, the Military Forward Command Post is a lifelike replica of a real battlefield headquarter. It's scaled for use with all 12-inch military action figures. Two-tiered and loaded with realistic weapons, accessories, furniture and equipment, this set is ready for action. This 'battle-worn' playset comes with two authentic, fully poseable modern military action figures. Command Post measures approximately 32″ x 14″ x 32″ when assembled. Assembly required.(JCPenneypulled the item off their web site in mid-December 2002 after receiving 'hundreds of complaints,' but as recently as the summer of 2005 it was back among their offerings.)Why so much controversy over a such a toy when G.I. Joe figures, plastic army men, tanks, helicopters, imitation guns, and other military and war-related paraphernalia have long been standard playthings for many American boys? Perhaps because, unlike those other toys, this 'battle-worn' playset all too visibly conveyed the destructiveness of war at a time when American soldiers were facing real combat thousands of miles from home.An 'antidote' toy was also available for purchase by concerned parents, however: the World Peace Keepers Battle Station (since replaced by the Military Life Playset).
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