Detroit Lions Seventh Round Pick - C. Campbell, Army

[Counsel]

The Detroit Lions became the story of the NFL draft's second day for their last pick. In the seventh round, at 218 overall, they took Army safety Caleb Campbell.

But the biggest applause was for Campbell. ESPN reported all day on Campbell because the 6-foot-2, 230 pounder would be spared having to serve in Iraq if he made a NFL roster. Halfway through the final round, he got the call from the Lions.

What Army has done is offer its top athletes a side door to professional sports. West Point has implemented an alternative service option program that allows cadets to turn pro -- and play -- right away. Cadets accepted into the program "will owe two years of active service in the Army, during which time they will be allowed to play their sport in the player-development systems of their respective organizations and be assigned to recruiting stations. If they remain in professional sports following those two years, they will be provided the option of buying out the remaining three years of their active-duty commitment in exchange for six years of reserve time."

Will this new policy pay dividends for the Army, specially with respect to the morale of the soldiers in the sand box?

[Red Flag 1]

Not sure about the sandbox issue, but it should help USMA recruit into their football program.

RF 1

[Razor]

I understand the "PR" benefits some argue former cadets generate by entering pro sports right away. Personally, I think the whole thing is a crock. They entered an academy fully understanding the post-graduation obligation THE REST OF THEIR CLASSMATES are expected to fulfill, they receive extra assistance in their academic studies, they get a pass on several of the duties and responsibilities THE REST OF THEIR CLASSMATES are expected to shoulder. If they wanted to go pro, there are plenty of civilian schools they could have chosen to attend. Even the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Fulbright, etc. scholarship winners are not released from their 5 year active duty/3 year reserve obligation following graduation.

I would much rather see Army football (or any other sport) continue to lose game after game (i.e., business as usual) than improve their win record through improved recruiting by letting a new LT out of his or her sworn duty because they're good at playing games.

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Red Flag 1

but it should help USMA recruit into their football program.RF 1

Oh yeah, and that is really important! Let some one else pick up the DUTY, Let some one else HONOR their contract, Let some one else serve the COUNTRY for them. Just what we need in the service, another dis-ingenuous officer who would put his goals and desires ahead of those for whom he would have been charged to lead. I don't know if the Infantry Center and School's shoulder patch still has "Follow Me" emblazoned on it above a bayonet but if it does I think those that opt out of their commitment for pro sports ought to be issued one in pink with the words "Quit Pushing" emblazoned above a jock strap to wear proudly as a fine example for those young recruits that enter his recruiting station and who are willing be surrounded with the aroma of death and gunpowder and not methyl salicylate and mildewed towels.

[Counsel]

I have no military experience; all I have is respect and admiration for those who serve. But I had a feeling that the selection of C. Campbell could become a issue, specially for those young officers/cadets that are deployed or are going to deployed to the sandbox or any other hot theater for that matter, that see this cadet receive special treatment or privileges, just because of this athletic abilities. The last place I thought that could happen was in the Army.

But besides that, I really think this goes more to the individual. Take for instance Pat Tillman. He was a pro football player that decided to leave that lifestyle to serve his country. If I am in combat, I want that guy covering my back. C Campbell had a change of heart after deciding he wanted to serve his country. My guess is that his heart wasn’t really in it, because as P. Tillman demonstrated with his actions, if you really feel the calling to serve your country no amount of money or fame, or any other thing will deter you from the sense of DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY. I would think the Army is better off having C. Campbell with the Lions instead of leading young men into combat.

Just my humble 02.

[lksteve]

Originally Posted by Razor

I understand the "PR" benefits some argue former cadets generate by entering pro sports right away. Personally, I think the whole thing is a crock.

I tend to agree...IIRC, it started with Napoleon McCallum and David Robinson from USNA...the hell with the competitiveness of the athletic programs, the point in these academies is providing "players" for a more serious field of competitive endeavor...

[jatx]

This is sickening. Cadet Campbell should be ashamed of himself. I guess, despite four years of education to the contrary, it is still "all about him"...

[gagners]

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

Oh yeah, and that is really important! Let some one else pick up the DUTY, Let some one else HONOR their contract, Let some one else serve the COUNTRY for them. Just what we need in the service, another dis-ingenuous officer who would put his goals and desires ahead of those for whom he would have been charged to lead. I don't know if the Infantry Center and School's shoulder patch still has "Follow Me" emblazoned on it above a bayonet but if it does I think those that opt out of their commitment for pro sports ought to be issued one in pink with the words "Quit Pushing" emblazoned above a jock strap to wear proudly as a fine example for those young recruits that enter his recruiting station and who are willing be surrounded with the aroma of death and gunpowder and not methyl salicylate and mildewed towels.

Agreed.

No one told you sir, that "CONVENIENCE" is now an Army Value?

[Dad]

Has the cadet been quoted anywhere as to his thoughts on this? I didn't see draft day.

[jatx]

Originally Posted by Dad

Has the cadet been quoted anywhere as to his thoughts on this? I didn't see draft day.

Who cares what he has to say? Actions speak louder than words.

[Counsel]

Originally Posted by Dad

Has the cadet been quoted anywhere as to his thoughts on this? I didn't see draft day.

He was interviewed by ESPN before being selected by the Lions. When ask what he thought his selection would do to the morale of the troops he basically said that he had received numerous emails stating how the possibility of him being drafted and playing on Sundays was lifting the morale of the troops. That was the comment that made me think about all of this.

Also, as quoted by ESPN:

"I asked Campbell whether he'd received any backlash from former cadets regarding his unique situation.

"I've heard some of that," said Campbell, who was recently featured on ESPN's "E:60." "It's tough for me because as an officer, I trained to take a platoon into battle. It was initially sort of a tough thing, but who's to say I can't still have a career as an officer?"

Campbell said he hopes to "show a lot of people who are skeptical about the academy's policy that this can really be good."

There is something in his first comment that doesn’t sit well with me. I would think that is not the “training” that makes you want to lead men into battle, rather, is knowing that you are the best platoon leader out there and that your decisions will save the lives of those men. I would think that you would want to be there for them, because you know you can make a difference and you know you can help bring back every one of them alive, not because of your training.

But I am not in the Army, much less an Officer. So what do career Officers have to say about this, and more importantly what do career NCOs think about all of this?

[gagners]

Originally Posted by Counsel

But I am not in the Army, much less an Officer. So what do carrier Officers have to say about this, and more importantly what do carrier NCOs think about all of this?

Not sure what "carrier" Officers think about anything, go ask the Navy

As for Career Officers, sounds to me as though being a PL was his back-up plan with the main focus being the NFL. Fine by me. Use that signing bonus to pay the US Govt back for the world-class education and training he just received... Then give him a general discharge.

I don't want PLs that are here b/c their primary goals fell through. I want the PLs who want to be PLs...

[x-factor]

If letting Campbell "serve" as a recruiter while in the NFL gets more soldiers in boots, then its of greater benefit to the army and the mission than having one more second lieutenant.

Thats the counter-argument anyway and its logical enough if you look at the problem from an accountant's perspective. For myself, I tend to agree with Col JM though. In my family, being an officer was one in the highest tier of possible careers, on par with being a doctor or a minister. I love football, but this feels cheap to me.

If I'm not mistaken, David Robinson (who it should be noted was not serving during wartime) delayed his basketball career by two years to honor his commitment and was a positive voice for the Navy after transitioning to pro sports. So, with a little luck and good soldiering, there's no reason Campbell can't have his cake and eat it too.

(Plus, lets be honest, he's at best a special teamer who's going to get cut after bouncing around the league for two or three years. Its not like he's Roger Staubach who gave some of the best years of his career to the Navy.)

Here's the root of the problem though...

Army is trying to have a competitive DI program and thats just ridiculous. They're never going to be able to recruit the team for it. They could put together a perfectly good schedule playing Air Force, Navy, and similar-minded schools like the Ivys, the Citadel, etc. Schools where the athletics is for the benefit of the student-athletes, not the school's budget and the boosters' egos.

[Counsel]

Originally Posted by gagners

Not sure what "carrier" Officers think about anything, go ask the Navy

What the ... I am also not sure what a "carrier" Officer is.
Thanks for pointing that out.

[Sdiver]

I'm in agreement with most here.

If Campbell wanted to play Pro Football, he should have gone to a 4 year school other than a Military Academy. Bottom line.

He signed to attend a Military Academy. To which, he has a commitment to fulfill after graduation.

In a way, Mr. Campbell is an "Anti-Tillman". Here Mr. Campbell goes to a Military Academy, in the prospects of serving his country, but is instead, going to to a lucrative contract with a Professional Football organization, in order to play ball, whereas Pat Tillman GAVE UP that million dollar contract, and went and served his country to the best of his ability, and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

My 0.02