If you've served in the Army, then you know. The military reserves the right to change its mind. And no one on this square side of the Oval Office can do a thing about it.
In the end, you do as you're ordered, or go AWOL, which is way beyond stupid. So Caleb Campbell, who isn't stupid, must do as he's told. And I, for one, don't feel sorry for him in the least. He didn't sign up for a church social.
And he knows that. He's pretty much all right (so he says) with what's come down from the brass, although a few of my brethren who earn their livings at a keyboard, a few who wouldn't know a bivouac from a night at a Marriott, are outraged at what's happened.
Campbell signed up for the U.S. Military Academy and recently graduated. While at West Point, he played safety for the Black Knights and was good enough to get taken in the seventh round of April's NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.
Initially, the Army told Campbell he would be allowed to play pro football. Not that there were any guarantees he would, but if he succeeded in making the Lions, it would be good for the service and recruiting. On that, I agree.
Campbell arrived at the Lions' training camp (as a linebacker), but it wasn't long before he was informed that the Department of Defense had changed Army policy and he was being recalled to active duty. He must serve at least two years before he can think about the NFL.
Campbell was surprised, but he didn't move to Canada.
“When I got drafted, I told people I was going to have the best of both worlds,” he said. “I was going to be in the United States Army and I was going to have a chance to play professional football. Now I have the best of one world and I'm very positive about that. It's all going to work out.
“I'm going to fulfill my duty to the United States Army and do what I've got to do. One day, hopefully, I'll get another opportunity to play in the NFL.”
Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach (Navy) eventually did. So did Chad Hennings, a former defensive tackle and Outland Trophy winner at Air Force. David Robinson, despite being 7 feet tall, left Annapolis and served in the Navy before joining the NBA.
You sign up, you commit.
The change of policy reportedly came down July 8, but Campbell wasn't informed until July 23. Some shock. It's the Army, Caleb. No need to shed a tear, but he did.
“Oh, yeah, I cried, because I wanted a shot,” he told The Oakland Press of Pontiac, Mich.
He still may get one. Granted, the odds of a seventh-round draft choice making a team – even one as faulty as the Lions – aren't good. He either was going to be a special teams guy or camp fodder. But when he leaves the service in two years, if he chooses to do so, he can try again.
The strange thing about all this was that, in granting Campbell permission to play – he apparently was told he could a year ago – the Army went in another direction than the Navy and the Air Force, who have been going by rules put down in a 1994 Department of Defense directive.
Just last month, the Navy told Mitch Harris, a 22-year-old pitcher with a 95-mph fastball drafted in the 13th round by the St. Louis Cardinals, that he must serve a five-year active-duty stint.
The Navy and Air Force weren't pleased with Army policy.
“Army has redefined the Alternative Service Option to include playing professional sports,” Naval Academy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk was quoted as saying. “Our coaches are now operating under a significant handicap when recruiting head-to-head with Army.”
The Air Force agreed, but on June 13, Army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Anne Edgecomb told The Associated Press: “The real advantage for the Army is just the amount of publicity we get. When you think about it, who's the best recruiter for the Navy you can think of? David Robinson. He's called “The Admiral,” for goodness sake.”
But Robinson did his duty.
The Army remains a part of the Department of Defense, so Navy and Air Force griping obviously paid off, and the rule now fits everyone, as it should.
“It's unfortunate,” Edgecomb says, no doubt saddened that NFL players may never get to call Campbell “The General.” “It doesn't mean Caleb Campbell's dream is dead. It just means it will be delayed. We want to take care of soldiers, and dashing their hopes is not what we intend. But it is what it is.”
Right. It's the Army, and Campbell made a commitment. Understand? You sign up, you serve. If you don't want to, try Idaho State.
West Point is not USC or Stanford, privately funded. U.S. taxpayers spooned out about $40,000 a year to send Campbell to the academy. And, as much as we may like sports, we do not send students there to graduate and then immediately try to tackle LaDainian Tomlinson.
This is the Army, Mr. 2nd Lt. Campbell. It's what you wanted; it's what you've got.
Nick Canepa: (619) 293-1397; nick.canepa@uniontrib.com
