"Our military academies exist to develop future officers who enhance the readiness and the lethality of our military services. Graduates enjoy the extraordinary benefit of a military academy education at taxpayer expense. Therefore, upon graduation, officers will serve as military officers for their minimum commitment of two years," Pentagon chief spokesman Dana W. White said Monday in a statement.
Makes sense and nothing new. I know Roger Staubach and David Robinson had to serve before their athletic careers. I'm sure their are many many others. Especially if they all have too.
I dont like it. You already own the individual why not let them play in their best years?
What? Understand the academies? History?
Wow.
What? Understand the academies? History?
Wow.
I dont like it. You already own the individual why not let them play in their best years?
I dont like it. You already own the individual why not let them play in their best years?
I dont like it. You already own the individual why not let them play in their best years?
I think it's pretty well established that the purpose of the academies is to produce military officers. The young men and women who attend them aren't confused about why they're there, so why bend the rules?
Yes I do understand the history. The academies are academic powerhouses in addition to that. I can see the argument either way, I get it. My point was since we are giving opinions...there is no right or wrong, is that when they commit, they commit to the service. There is no getting out of that...nor should they (hence my "own the individual" comment, perhaps a bad choice of language?) However in a sport such as football if they have an opportunity to play in the NFL where careers are so short I think it would be great if they were able to delay their service until after their professional sports career were over. You could make the argument that they only serve a short time and then can resume their professional sports career just like the athletes mentioned (I also think of David Robinson in the NBA). I see both ways. I just think that for many it would be quite a fairytale ending to go pro and do that for a few years then go back to their service. But that's just me.
All those skills would deteriorate while out of the military, even with drill time.
We'll agree to disagree.
Not at all ridiculous.
The state of readiness of reservists and national guardsman, in general, is not as high as active duty. Not arguable. We'll agree to disagree.
I served with guardsmen and reservists in Iraq. They were just as capable as their active duty counterparts and certainly didn't do themselves or others any disservice with "deteriorated skills".