Military academies’ athletes can get waivers to become pros

I'm not sure what all the brou-ha-ha is about, I am sure that many athletes could develop bone spurs and not need to serve in the military. 

I think Napoleon McCallum was able to serve and play at the same time (at least for a few years) and David Robinson's active service was cut short (due to excessive height as I recall) so this has been a balancing act for quite some time. And there have been changes in all directions since then. I'd expect this recent policy decision to change and evolve as it has in the past.

As a general rule I'd like to see the graduating athletes serve the same as their graduating classmates (understanding that their classmates serve in a variety of billets).

As reported this policy and process doesn’t seem much different than before.

Mattis’ policy statement has always been the starting point, i.e. emphasis on unit cohesion and taxpayer expense. But he seemed to deemphasize the ‘public relations mission’ aspect. This statement brings it in specifically but seems to deemphasize the unit cohesion aspect… not surprising for this administration.

New aspect - the specifics on repayment… seem appropriate in the pro sports context but raises a cohesion question about buying your way out of a commitment especially in a time of war.

Other Questions

- are non pro sports e.g. ‘Olympic’ sports, included? traditionally they been a place that military personnel have been given duty assignments if not waivers that allow them to prepare.

- are ROTC students, cadets/midshipmen included? Included in President’s statement but not SecDoD’s. Like the USNA, NROTC midshipmen have a 5-year active duty commitment; longer if they volunteer for subs or aviation. For non-scholarship mids it is a 3-year commitment.

The Noah Song case seems to fit into this policy. He would renew his annual request for a waiver to postpone his active duty commitment. SecNav would evaluate/justify the request considering the Navy’s recruiting/public affairs mission then forward it to Sec DoD for a disposition that could be reviewed a year later.

Does this have any real impact on the Military Academies' recruiting?

Roger Staubach was able to fulfill his service and play pro ball

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David Robinson was a unique case.  He grew a lot while in college.  I remember reading an article where the Academy said he really should have been given a medical discharge.  In large part because of the great publicity he was giving the academy, he was allowed to stay but had a shortened commitment.  On a silly side note, the article which was from his senior year had a photo of Robinson on a summer cruise in a submarine.  That had to be tough duty

"Captain America", Roger Stauback, is the best example of how to do it right!

a sign of the times?



why make this change now?


i would appreciate your comments on this rather than a trip down memory lane on service academy athletes who turned pro.

thx, 

Sorry to hear that, but, as they say, he knew the rules when he signed up.

No, but there are also abuses by the academies. A few years ago, a graduating cadet failed the timed mile run. He had gained 25 pounds of weight to play the line for Army. He lost a small amount of weight for the second attempt, but he was not allowed to have anyone pace him (as is done when running in groups with the main cadet body). He ran a few seconds short. He lost his commission for physically being "unqualified: (yes, he was a starter for the football team and incredibly fit by most standards). He then wanted to serve as an enlisted man but was denied that opportunity because he had been labeled physically unfit. The capper is he was then presented a bill for four years of tuition since he had been told he could not fulfill his service commitment. The academies can be great, but they can also make things difficult on many levels.