I find that comment above foolish. And yes what about the WCAP that abc mentioned?

I can only imagine what you people would say if you heard my story...and to see where I am today...this thread is just a bit unreal to me. If you think this kid shouldn't be a leader or needs to go to jail....you better send me with him and take my tab and stripes off my shoulder.

"On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days and other fields will bear the fruits of victory."
-General Douglas MacArthur

He seemed to think there was merit.

GC, re-read the quote. The "other days and other fields" reference therein doesn't refer to professional athletic fields.

Aequitas, you do understand that there are at least a few of us here that have similar "inside perspectives", right? Minus the drill exemptions, assigned study sessions and Corps Squad tables, of course. Maybe we should see what Blueboy's and JoeSFMech's opinions are as well?

uboat, I don't have current figures, but do you remember which MOS had an even higher OPTEMPO than SF before OEF/OIF? With SHORAD pretty much gone, chances are very good that 2LT Campbell wouldn't be growing any moss in his career field, even if he wasn't walking patrols in Baghdad.

As for WCAP, the vast dissimiliarities between it and USMA, especially in terms of the expectations of its members, make it unrelated to this particular discussion. For the record, I'm not a big fan of the program, but grudgingly accept it along with the Soldier Show entertainers, the Army Chorale and other like-intentioned special duty assignments as a necessary marketing tool in an all-volunteer force.

I was 17 when I joined the military, so your "he's only 22" doesn't cut it with me. All the sympathy I have for 2nd Lt. Caleb Campbell would fit into a thimble with room to swim.

2nd Lt. Caleb Campbell is a cry-baby. I personally would not allow him to lead a troop of Girl Scouts.

And he's not a man/warrior such as Pat Tillman who answered his countries call without hesitation or reservation. IMO he does not deserve to stand in my shadow.

Team Sergeant

I fully understand this.

Patriot007 said: "Other than allowing the coaches to keep their jobs what advantage is there to the services"

Gen. MacArthur's quote would seem to address this.

It would be interesting to see what (if any) universities offered Campbell a full ride to play football. If WP offered him one I would ASSUME others did as well. So if military service was not his top priority why not go to a good Ivy League or similar institution that did not have the military obligation upon graduation??

To me, it's unconsionable (sp?) that the academy would even entertain a cadet wanting out of his service commitment to play pro sports. Just like my 10 and 7yr old asking me to watch a "R" movie.... Aint goint to happen....and they don't even bother to ask, because they know what my reaction to that question will be.

The fact that it's even a possiblility to ask is not the fault of the 2LT, its a fault of the officers that permit it.

Razor,

Why is the WCAP that much different? Officers can be involved in that too. Tell me what "recruiting" benifit does the Army get from the someone who is on the team that places 46th in the luge in the olympic games?

It does...to an extent. When MacArthur was Superintendent, he instituted the intramural sports program at USMA that continues today. Under the program, every cadet not on an intercollegiate team or competitive club sport (Judo, Rugby, shooting sports, etc.) is required to participate half a semester each semester in one of several intramural sports on a team made up of other cadets in his/her company, and are coached by cadets from the company as well. Sports range from rugby to squash. This way, every cadet has an opportunity to reap the leadership, teamwork and physical benefits afforded by participating in team sports.

Since the intramural program is independent from any of the intercollegiate sports teams, cadets could arguably participate on the "fields of friendly strife" lauded by MacA without ever playing a different school. I wouldn't advocate for this type of solution, but it goes to show that the intent could be met without involvement in NCAA.

Like I said, I don't like it, but then the service expectations of the soldiers recruited into the program are far different than someone entering a service academy. That is, of course, a broad generalization--Dan Brown (a USMA grad) went into the WCAP after commissioning and finishing OBC to be a long distance runner. :rolleyes: The other part is that I also believe that at least for the officers in WCAP, they're expected to leave the program and do their real job after some point; they're not granted a release from their service obligation, and are in fact still "serving" and subject to both the needs of the Army (i.e., can get yanked out at any time) and UCMJ while in WCAP. There's also the fact that they compete for the Army, in blatantly obvious Army "uniforms". Pro athletes play for a civilian team with no obvious ties to the military, and generally wear no outward sign on their uniforms that they came from the military. Besides David Robinson, how many other pro athletes coming out the service academies in recent history are readily recognizable by the public as representatives of their respective service? I can't name any off hand. At least there's no question as to where the WCAP soldiers come from.

I turned down WP via USMAPS, (was recommended and accepted). I turned it down because I was not ready at the time to commit to 8 years of service, I believe it was a 4 year OBV, at that time. I later committed to a 6 year OBV to attend flight school.

I knew full well that attending WP obligated me to a service committment!

Don't go if you are not willing to serve!

[QUOTE=
If I was that Lieutenant, I'd have kept my mouth shut and just ranted about the situation in a journal perhaps, and even then, it'd would've been an "Aw shucks, can you believe it, I actually could've played professional football! Oh well, shit happens, I signed up to be a soldier so I have an obligation to fulfill..." type of rant, [COLOR="Red"]not a, "#$%$@#$^#!! the stupid Army won't let me out so can I go play professional football" type of rant.[/COLOR] I'd have put a bag over my head before coming out and ask for special treatment so I could go make millions playing football while my fellow cadets go off to war. QUOTE]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/s...P&GT1=39002

I suggest you read the article attached. In reality Lt Campell received his orders and has moved on. What source do you have that you allows you to quote what he said?

My comments do not relect my opinion of the service option. However as professionals we need to consider the source of criticism or praise. This type of mud slinging in the dark serves no purpose on this board. What background does this guy sound so righteous. It is post like his what I choose to ignore Guerrilla & Asset shallow remarks!

web link
 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8377544

Try this site for the Lt. Campbell events.