There's been some pointed discussions lately over the future of West Point cadet Caleb Campbell, who was a seventh round NFL draft pick of the Detroit Lions late last month. While many of his classmates may be deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan in the future, Campbell will (if he makes the roster) do recruiting and PR events for the Army during the offseason. The Army's point of view is that Campbell can use his NFL status in a unique way to help the service. The New York Times provides the Army's official policy:
Any member of the Army with an
exceptional skill who could provide recruiting and public affairs
benefits to the Army could be assigned to the nearest recruiting unit
for their two-year active-duty period. Those approved can participate
in their professional activity — in Campbell’s case, pro football — as
long as it does not interfere with military duties. Then they can apply
for early release from active duty.
Campbell also described to the Times how he came to the decision to pursue football:
“I had a talk with myself,” he said on the conference call. “Either way
I could win. I decided if football presented an opportunity to play in
the NFL, I would take it. Me, as a football player, would be very
beneficial representing the United States Army.”
There are two sides to the argument over whether this was a proper decision. As the Army struggles to expand, any strong recruiting effort by Campbell may truly help. At the same time, how does one go play football while his classmates go to war? Phil Carter at Intel Dump wondered how effective Campbell could actually be:
Isn't the Army hemorrhaging
junior officers? Don't we need young, tough, aggressive West Point
football players to be platoon leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan? Isn't
now the time for the "Petraeus Generation" to step up?...I'm not so sure. For starters, Campbell hasn't actually served as an
Army officer. So it's not like he can go into some high school and talk
about Army values and Army leadership and what those things mean from
personal experience. It'd be different if he'd served a combat tour and
then come back to the NFL. But all he knows is football and West Point.
Which doesn't help much in recruiting enlisted personnel (as opposed to
West Point cadets).
The UK Guardian had mixed feelings on the issue, but did acknowledge Campbell's position does offer the chance to get prospective recruits to listen:
"Join the army and live the glamorous life of an NFL player," he won't
be saying. But then again he doesn't have to say anything to the
impressionable kids ushered into the presence of the star of the 2008
NFL draft.
USA Today's sports blog Game On took an informal poll of its readers, finding that 53 percent believe Campbell should not be playing football at this time. A sampling of two reader comments show just how heated the discussion can get:
US YOUR BRAIN: I am a West Point graduate and I retired after a 20 year military career. While Campbell did not make these rules he is unfortunate to be one of the first to take advantage of them. This action and the rule disgusts me on many levels. There is NO HONOR in this action. During my time at WP we had one of the top field goal kickers in the
the nation. He did not get to go into the NFL. He honorably served his
time.
mrkeepingitreal: Geeezzzz... let the kid play and get over it. he's busted his butt for
4 years at the academy and had every intention of serving his tour. He
just happened to be good enough to get drafted by the NFL...his publicity alone at the draft paid for his education. The Army
and Armed Forces in general embrace stories like Campbell's and it's a
great opportunity for his to represent them.
The Lions' defensive coordinator says he's impressed with Campbell so far -- but, I just wonder what happens if he doesn't make the cut. If he goes back to the Army, how will his soldiers treat him?
