Army's Alternative Service Option
A handful of West Point graduates had taken this option until it was canceled by the Department of the Army this month:
• Cadets with special talents are eligible to apply for excess leave or early release from their active duty service obligation to "participate in activities with potential recruiting or public affairs benefit" to the Army.
• Army personnel accepted into the program are assigned to the U.S. Army recruiting unit nearest to their professional activity and must participate in recruiting activities.
• Athletes on the excess leave option are not paid by the Army during their participation in pro sports.
• If a player continues in pro sports beyond two years, he has the option to "buy out" the rest of his active service obligation.
• If a player who has not bought out his obligation exhausts his opportunity in pro sports, he must return to complete his service obligation.
• At any time, a player can be called back to active duty.
U.S. Department of Defense, Secretary of the Army
While our military is now an All Volunteer Force, this program still could leave a "bad taste" in one's mouth, all things considered. One servicemember's life and future is NOT more important than another servicemember who has not excelled in an athletic endeavor .
