Army orders Lions draft pick Campbell to military duty

[AbeBeta]

DETROIT -- Caleb Campbell will not get a chance to play for the Detroit Lions because of a change in military policy.

Campbell was a seventh-round draft pick for the Lions in April. At the time, Army policy would have allowed the West Point graduate to serve as a recruiter if he made the team.

But a subsequent Department of Defense policy has superseded the 2005 Army policy.

In a letter to Lions president Matt Millen dated Wednesday, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jonathan P. Liba wrote that Campbell has been ordered to give up professional football for "full-time traditional military duties."

Liba wrote that 2nd Lt. Campbell may ask to be released from his active duty obligations in May 2010.

Liba said Campbell was allowed to enter the draft "in good faith."

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10906853

 

[5Stars]

DETROIT -- Caleb Campbell will not get a chance to play for the Detroit Lions because of a change in military policy.

Campbell was a seventh-round draft pick for the Lions in April. At the time, Army policy would have allowed the West Point graduate to serve as a recruiter if he made the team.

But a subsequent Department of Defense policy has superseded the 2005 Army policy.

In a letter to Lions president Matt Millen dated Wednesday, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jonathan P. Liba wrote that Campbell has been ordered to give up professional football for "full-time traditional military duties."

Liba wrote that 2nd Lt. Campbell may ask to be released from his active duty obligations in May 2010.

Liba said Campbell was allowed to enter the draft "in good faith."

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10906853

Wow! Well, during these times...you must fulfill your obligation to the United States Of America...he took the Oath.

I wish the man luck!

 

[Hostile]

Classy kid. Was the story of the Draft I thought. I wish him well.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

how about an exception to policy

 

[dcfanatic]

I do understand the idea that he has to fulfill the duty, but they didn't know this months ago before he was drafted?

Terrible timing.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

The Lions should buy out his contract.

 

[percyhoward]

Army policy would have allowed the West Point graduate to serve as a recruiter if he made the team.

I wish they'd waited to see if he made the team.

 

[5Stars]

I do understand the idea that he has to fulfill the duty, but they didn't know this months ago before he was drafted?

Terrible timing.

Who is this "they"? Do you mean the Lions?

The man took an oath, and anything can happen at any time. There are Lawyers, Doctors, Wifes, Husbands, etc.. that sign up with the Military and at any given moment...if they call, you go.

Do you know what is going to happen months from now in your life?

 

[WoodysGirl]

Who is this "they"? Do you mean the Lions?

The man took an oath, and anything can happen at any time. There are Lawyers, Doctors, Wifes, Husbands, etc.. that sign up with the Military and at any given moment...if they call, you go.

Do you know what is going to happen months from now in your life?

He may have been referring to Detroit's plan to draft him.

At the time, Army policy would have allowed the West Point graduate to serve as a recruiter if he made the team.

But a subsequent Department of Defense policy has superseded the 2005 Army policy.

So, no, they didn't know.

 

[AbeBeta]

I do understand the idea that he has to fulfill the duty, but they didn't know this months ago before he was drafted?

Terrible timing.

Sure, but the Lions knew the risks.

Millen may have been caught up in all the chanting.

 

[AbeBeta]

Classy kid. Was the story of the Draft I thought. I wish him well.

it was a great story.

I, however, was really concerned about how this was going to play in training camp. lots of pressures for the Lions to put him on the 53-man from the git go

 

[AbeBeta]

I wish they'd waited to see if he made the team.

So he'd go out, make the team, and then have to serve active duty?

That kinda would have been worse, dontchathink?

 

[pgreptom]

It's not that serious.

He could always have his contract bought out. I'd take a loan out for xxxxx, and pay the Army off. I knew a kid when I was in the USN who's father won $3 million - and you pay your salary off, and get out. He was an E3 - and had a little over 2 years left - it was around $60,000 - and he got out scotch free on an Honorable Discharge.

Regardless, I knew another kid who got drafted by the Atlanta Braves. They let him out due to "Possible conflict of interests."

There's ways around this.

 

[AbeBeta]

It's not that serious.

He could always have his contract bought out. I'd take a loan out for xxxxx, and pay the Army off. I knew a kid when I was in the USN who's father won $3 million - and you pay your salary off, and get out. He was an E3 - and had a little over 2 years left - it was around $60,000 - and he got out scotch free on an Honorable Discharge.

Regardless, I knew another kid who got drafted by the Atlanta Braves. They let him out due to "Possible conflict of interests."

There's ways around this.

Is it that simple? He did receive college education on the Army, right?

 

[percyhoward]

So he'd go out, make the team, and then have to serve active duty?

That kinda would have been worse, dontchathink?

That would be cruel actually. I meant that I'd have liked to see them "grandfather" their policy to give him a chance to play for something during TC and preseason. That way, if he does make the team, the Army probably gets better pub out of it anyway.

 

[pgreptom]

Is it that simple? He did receive college education on the Army, right?

Well, I'm not exactly sure about officers.

It's definitely "that simple" - though.

If you can buy your way out of Enlisted Active Duty - I'm sure you could as an Officer. It might be tricky, though - because those guys just about have no choice. I met plenty of LT's, LCDR, and even CDR's who didn't want to be in - but they pretty much had no choice. They didn't have the option to play football for $300,000 a year, though.

If he paid his entire education, and his original enlistment(probably 6 years after school) - they'd definitely let him out. If he was just a regular Enlisted guy - I bet they would have discharged him for Conflict of Interests.

Probably a hefty fee(Education+6 years of Officer pay) - but if you really love football, you could make the team - and it would be lucrative to him, I would do it. Hope he is determined, though. Average career is 3 years. I'd hate to hear about him taking out some $250,000 loan to pay off the Army to play football - and be cut next year. Atleast he'll have a bachelors.

 

[Brandon]

Stupid rule. Let the kid play football, not risk his life over a lost cause.

 

[5Stars]

Stupid rule. Let the kid play football, not risk his life over a lost cause.

I kind of agree with you, but...there are tons of men and women that have sacrificed their lives so that WE CAN WATCH FOOTBALL!

 

[notherbob]

Staubach served. This guy can serve.

 

[Gryphon]

Well, I'm not exactly sure about officers.

It's definitely "that simple" - though.

If you can buy your way out of Enlisted Active Duty - I'm sure you could as an Officer. It might be tricky, though - because those guys just about have no choice. I met plenty of LT's, LCDR, and even CDR's who didn't want to be in - but they pretty much had no choice. They didn't have the option to play football for $300,000 a year, though.

If he paid his entire education, and his original enlistment(probably 6 years after school) - they'd definitely let him out. If he was just a regular Enlisted guy - I bet they would have discharged him for Conflict of Interests.

Probably a hefty fee(Education+6 years of Officer pay) - but if you really love football, you could make the team - and it would be lucrative to him, I would do it. Hope he is determined, though. Average career is 3 years. I'd hate to hear about him taking out some $250,000 loan to pay off the Army to play football - and be cut next year. Atleast he'll have a bachelors.

Officers that graduate from West Point are required to serve 8 years in the Army on active duty.

Officers that graduate from ROTC and are assessed onto active duty have the option to serve in what is called a 4 + 4 year contract. 4-years active with the option to stay up to 8 years or serve the final 4 years in the Reserve.

The only way that you can get out of your obiligation is by resigning your commission. Until you complete your 8 years, one should not expect to be released. However, if you have is a strong will there is still a way.

Airborne