Your thoughts on Caleb Campbell

[ngineer]

I saw this young man interviewed today on the draft show and wondered how the Army can justify giving him a waiver of his military obligation to go into the NFL? Who knows the details of this change in regulation that allows this? I find it mystifying and wrong. We, the taxpayers, have just provided him with a sterling education and training to be a military officer, at a cost of approximatey $200,000. How can it be justified to allow him to go into the NFL and potentially make a ton of money, while his graduating officers will be leaving for Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places for assignment? I remember Roger Staubach leaving for Viet Nam after his career at Navy. What has changed?

If it is posited, that he will have to fulfill his 'obligation' once his NFL career is over, what good will he be with banged up knees, shoulders, etc. I just don't see the rationale for giving him a pass..Under this policy, why shouldn't some brilliant computer whiz get a waiver to go to work for IBM? Everyone seems so 'rah-rah' that a kid from West Point got drafted, but that's not what he signed up for when he entered four years ago. Like I said, I may not know all the details, so if anyone can explain and justify this I'd be interested.

[AZGrizFan]

I saw this young man interviewed today on the draft show and wondered how the Army can justify giving him a waiver of his military obligation to go into the NFL? Who knows the details of this change in regulation that allows this? I find it mystifying and wrong. We, the taxpayers, have just provided him with a sterling education and training to be a military officer, at a cost of approximatey $200,000. How can it be justified to allow him to go into the NFL and potentially make a ton of money, while his graduating officers will be leaving for Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places for assignment? I remember Roger Staubach leaving for Viet Nam after his career at Navy. What has changed?

If it is posited, that he will have to fulfill his 'obligation' once his NFL career is over, what good will he be with banged up knees, shoulders, etc. I just don't see the rationale for giving him a pass..Under this policy, why shouldn't some brilliant computer whiz get a waiver to go to work for IBM? Everyone seems so 'rah-rah' that a kid from West Point got drafted, but that's not what he signed up for when he entered four years ago. Like I said, I may not know all the details, so if anyone can explain and justify this I'd be interested.

What it comes down to, eng, right or wrong, is that this kid is MUCH more valuable to the Army and it's recruiting efforts on the football field than he is leading a platoon in Iraq. Period. End of story.

[ngineer]

What it comes down to, eng, right or wrong, is that this kid is MUCH more valuable to the Army and it's recruiting efforts on the football field than he is leading a platoon in Iraq. Period. End of story.

I've heard that said, and in an interview I saw on the internet today, that's basically what Campbell said. I find it puzzling that him playing in the secondary for the Detroit Lions results in a boost in recruiting. I think some priorities are mixed up..:(

[AZGrizFan]

I've heard that said, and in an interview I saw on the internet today, that's basically what Campbell said. I find it puzzling that him playing in the secondary for the Detroit Lions results in a boost in recruiting. I think some priorities are mixed up..:(


Priorities or not, the $200,000 they spent educating him will pale in comparison to the number of recruits he brings in. Think David Robinson, Napoleon McCallum, etc., etc. There've been some AF guys in the past as well....they pay dividends when it comes to posters and recruiting....basically, the message for an athlete is this: We'll pay for your education, and if you're good enough to get drafted, we'll let you go and take advantage of that while you play for pay, and if not, then you've got a guaranteed job waiting for you when you graduate. xnodx

[TheValleyRaider]

I'm pretty sure that's how the justified David Robinson's going straight to the NBA instead of serving a tour with the Navy. Granted, we weren't at war at the time, but they allowed him to work as a recruitment officer of some kind instead of on a ship. Not sure how much difference there is between leaving West Point and leaving Annapolis in terms of deployment flexibility, though I do know that the Naval Academy has a reputation of being more accommedating to their athletes

Of course, for Campbell, I'm pretty sure his waiver is contingent on him actually making the team out of training camp

[ngineer]

If I recall, Robinson had issues with his height being a factor in that he grew a tremendous amount while in school and actually exceeded Navy regulations by the time he graduated, limiting his ability to serve in a lot of positions? I don't recall McCallum's assignments before playing, but I seem to think he served his required four years. I understand the 'marketing' aspect of this, but it just doesn't seem right from my perspective.

[appfan2008]

Not all West Point grads go straight to the war. Plenty travel around, go to bases around the world, or even go to work at the Pentagon. Not only do they all serve our country in different capacities, but they all are very important. What Caleb is doing is just as important as any other West Point grad. He will be active in the coming years in recruiting and that is THE BEST way that he can serve our country right now. Would you rather him go be another officer in Iraq or serve in the Pentagon, both in obscurity? This is a way to put a face out there that can help promote our wonderful armed services!

[Franks Tanks]

If I recall, Robinson had issues with his height being a factor in that he grew a tremendous amount while in school and actually exceeded Navy regulations by the time he graduated, limiting his ability to serve in a lot of positions? I don't recall McCallum's assignments before playing, but I seem to think he served his required four years. I understand the 'marketing' aspect of this, but it just doesn't seem right from my perspective.

You are correct. David was suspossed to be a submariner, but he eventually became taller then the ceilings of the subs. He still did servce two years in the Navy in another capacity however before playing with the Spurs.

[Appaholic]

I'm pretty sure that's how the justified David Robinson's going straight to the NBA instead of serving a tour with the Navy. Granted, we weren't at war at the time, but they allowed him to work as a recruitment officer of some kind instead of on a ship. Not sure how much difference there is between leaving West Point and leaving Annapolis in terms of deployment flexibility, though I do know that the Naval Academy has a reputation of being more accommedating to their athletes

The Navy, at least in last 30-40 years, has had many more athletes needing accomodation.......xwhistlex