Comments on: Detroit Lions Draft Army Lieutenant

By: Amelia

Amelia — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:29:32 +0000

He’ll be more likely to deploy while in the reserve component anyway. My buddy in the Guard leaves for his third deployment six weeks from now.

By: BattleItch

BattleItch — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:48:26 +0000

Midnight, I just wanted to say great post!

By: jmg

jmg — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:47:08 +0000

Thanks for the info - I was always curious about how that would work if a service academy athlete were to have the chance to go pro. I think it’s perfectly reasonable - the Army actually has another program called the World Class Athlete Program, for those who have potential to go to the Olympics, that allows them to train full time while remaining active duty and maintaining rank. As you said, it’s great exposure for the service.

By: USTommyMC

USTommyMC — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:51:33 +0000

I read your post and wondered how exactly that worked out but all I had to do was read further down and you explained it all.

I’m currently in Iraq (third time) and think that this is an awesome opportunity for young Lt. My peers and I have discussed your post and agree that there is no resentment from us because he gets to play in the NFL and we’re here.

Like you said, the Army has a policy in place for situations like this and is doing everything by the book. He is not refusing to serve his time nor is he trying to get away with never going to Iraq.

I for one will be following his career in the NFL and hope that he has a lot of success.

By: D15AV0W3D

D15AV0W3D — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:46:25 +0000

As a former service member, I think this is great. Good for him. David Robinson did something similar. He graduated from the Naval academy and was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. He was required to serve 2 years of military service instead of the normal 5.

By: Midnight

Midnight — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:05:00 +0000

Between talk radio and this thread I haven’t found a single person that’s actually worn a set of cammies that is upset about this. Most of the people I’ve heard on the radio that are upset about it have never served. They view this as some type of corruption of the great ideal they have formed in their mind of military service. They’ve never dealt with military commitments, decisions about how to serve and in what job, decisions whether to go reserve or national guard. They just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as
1. You sign the dotted line
2. Uncle Sam owns your ass

Thankfully, our military services have many different programs that allow people to serve in many different ways. Some people that serve in non-standard fashions, such as Mr. Campbell will, would not otherwise be able to serve at all.

They also don’t acknowledge this: Why is Caleb Campbell such a demon for serving in the reserves and playing pro football while most people don’t even serve in the reserves? He’s serving his commitment according to the rules in his contract. What do they want from him?

This is worse than the pot calling the kettle black. This is like a paper cup criticizing a plastic cup for not being dishwasher safe.

By: ArmyReserveWife

ArmyReserveWife — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:06:29 +0000

I am sure that this was written one of the many that my Soldier and I have run into, the ones who “support” our military but gosh I don’t want my kid to enlist they might get killed. Geez, at least this LT is serving.

By: SSG Jeanna Blicker

SSG Jeanna Blicker — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:34:17 +0000

Hi Jeff,
I’ve not left a comment here lately. I enjoyed this story. Everything you said regarding Campbell’s service after graduation is right on the mark! The youth of our nation need someone to emulate, and Campbell will very well fit the bill. The media will be more admiring of him as a pro athlete than just another 2LT in a war zone.

Carson Williams, West Point (USMA) class of 2010 and quarterback, is from Cullman County, CHS class of 2006. He graduated with my youngest son. Carson’s father, CPT Frank Williams, just returned from a 15+ month deployment to Iraq.

By: SSG Jeanna Blicker

SSG Jeanna Blicker — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:27:19 +0000

Jeff,
I failed to tell you of a site that I just started reading. One of my comrades has started posting his funny stories of our deployment on it. The link is http://www.thisisby.us/user.php/tractors4u

I’ve read some of this guy’s stories, too: http://www.thisisby.us/user.php/terry_hargrove

Some really good stuff on this site.

By: MAJ Tony Verenna

MAJ Tony Verenna — Sat, 10 May 2008 03:38:42 +0000

I am an Army Major attending the Army’s Command and General Staff College in FT Leavenworth, KS. Soon to be 2LT Campbell there is no doubt from those of us in the service that he is fulfilling his commitment by doing this. As a former West Point graduate, it is extremely important to get the best people our country has to offer to attend the academies. Is there a better recruiting tool than the most popular sport in America, the NFL? Recruiting is a specialty job in the Army and it has become difficult to get volunteers in todays world. Campbell has an uphill battle facing him and he will work hard to achieve his goals. Every news story or clip of Campbell in the future gets a good news Army story out there to the general public and when young kids see this officer playing professional football, they just might think about attending the academy. Once they get there, they will see the comraderie and the values that are instilled in every cadet that will lead to a lifetime of service to the country. Campbell will be serving the country the rest of his life just as every other servicemen does whether they realize it or not. This is a good news story for the Army and for West Point football.