How does the U.S. Government and U.S. Military continue to make such flip decisions that impact their own P.R.?
The latest misstep has would-be Detroit Lion Caleb Campbell trading in Honolulu blue for camo fatigues. For those new to the story, Mr. Campbell is a West Point graduate, who was told he could play in the NFL if he made a team and serve his military responsibility state-side. No other arm of the service allows such exemptions. And now, it seems, the Army has withdrawn its position.
I previously questioned the policy. But once the decision was made, a dream hooked and set, how could the Army yank it back out of the pond?
Whether you believe Mr. Campbell should have ever been given the opportunity, the military has done more damage to its image. It once again seemingly did a bait-and-switch. National Guardsmen, who signed up to protect America on the homefront, and myriad of military who have had their stay in war zones spontaneously extended or been the recipients of stop-loss orders all know the way military tales suddenly turn into O. Henry endings.
This time, the military stepped in it with potential football recruits to their collegiate program, Detroit Lion fans and young recruits, who saw a humane side of the military -- letting Mr. Campbell live out his dreams.
In the end, Mr. Campbell was a victim of the draft. Not the NFL version, but the not-yet-reinstated Selective Service, which has left the military short of qualified soldiers during a (ridunculous) war.
I think it's time to order a number 47 Lions' Campbell jersey to wear on Veterans' and Armed Forces Days.
