FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Don't know what to make of this one? You go to West Point to be a Top notch Army Officer. I just wonder what every other current Army Officer (Especially my son-in-law) who is now in a combat zone or are on multiple tours in country is thinking when they read this? If you want to go to the Pro's, play at the other Colleges, not at West Point. The country has spent a tremendous amount of money training these young men to be the future leaders of the Army. When you decide and get accepted at the "Point", you should already know the obligation of Military service for your education, if not, you need not be there. Playing Football does not do any of troops in the Field, in Combat any good, period. This is just an opinion of a proud ex-Army Paratrooper. Airborne-All the way!

West Point is supposed to be about producing highly education and effective military leaders, not a farm system for the NFL, NBA, MLf -- this is outrageous and an affront to all US taxpayers ... if Congress wants to get involved in regulating professional sports, here is the perfect case ... I suppose Democrats are saying, get our troops out of the Middle East and into the NFL!

This is a really really bad polically correct idea.Not much more to say than that.

Embarrassing

I guess they figure it could improve overall recruiting to the Army because these players would have to serve at recruiting stations. So its a trade-off of losing this man as a leader in exchange for getting a lot more privates enlisted.

SWEET - I graduate from West Point get to go pro and then only have to look forward to 6!! years of reserve duty. LMAO - what a deal!

I have no idea what all of this means, but it doesn't sound like the type of deal that will attract top talent that is on the fence, afraid to loose their chance at pro careers.

How about this for option B - they immediately go into active reserve, spending x months a year assigned to a recruiting station during their sports off season. After their pro career or at age 39 (whichever comes 1st) they enter the military full time and complete their full 5 year commitment plus 1 additional year as a recruiter.

Some of you guys need to see the bigger picture. As an academy grad, I have no problem whatsoever with this policy. In fact, I embrace it. Think about the causal mechnisms in play here: allowing the kids to go pro will probably bring in better recruits. Better recruits will help to resurrect a defunct and embarrassing football program (a losing mentality is contagious and not good for officers - from the Supe). A better football program will bring in better publicity and thus better cadets, not to mention more money for other sports (and hence, officer development). Don't worry - this policy ISN'T going to taint the academy experience nor the officer ranks. What will taint the officer corps is a losing mentality born on the "fields of friendly strife."