Soldiers respond when duty calls -- no exceptions
By Mike Freeman | CBSSports.com National Columnist Follow Mike
Doyel: Army lies
Caleb Campbell has handled this mess with class and dignity. You would expect no less from a West Point graduate. You would expect no less from an Army man.
It's all the other crybabies and Army bashers who are the problem, including my good friend Gregg "Private Pyle" Doyel.
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| Caleb Campbell graduated from West Point on May 31. (AP) |
What exactly is the Army supposed to do?
Just in case you forgot, Doyel, there's this little war going on.
"This is an announcement to everyone in the military," the Army bashers want the military to say, "if you want to play football, windsurf, paint the sun setting on the beach, make love to your girlfriend, play golf or watch Beverly Hills Cop on DVD, please feel free to do so. Don't worry about your obligation or the contract you signed. Go on. Go home. Have a nice day. And can we get you anything?"
Why should Campbell get a break during wartime when others are sent off to Iraq, where, tragically, thousands have died?
How is the military supposed to explain the fact that Campbell is allowed to play in the NFL while other soldiers who signed contracts with the military are held to them? How does the Army explain to the families of dead soldiers that some soldiers can forgo their service obligations while others are allowed to pursue other dreams and interests?
And please don't tell me about the Army changing the rules. That's what the government does -- change the rules. Campbell isn't the first soldier to possibly get the short end and he won't be the last. If you've spent any amount of time in the military, you know this to be true.
When you join the Army, it's understood three things might happen: You might live in many difference places, you might get screwed and you might die. When a war is on, all three could happen. You can also become a better, stronger person, but those three rules always exist.
My military experience is limited; I went to basic at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and spent time on active duty and the National Guard. Thankfully, I never fought in a war. But if there was one thing I always understood about being in the Army was that the Army was always going to look out for the Army first. That's harsh, but true.
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| RAK187: As an Army man myself, I fully agree. Most of the ones who are crying about this have never served, nor will they. They will never understand the sacrifices we make, and choose to make, I might add. The Army will always make choices based on what is good for the Army, not for just one man. I am sure that Campbell understands this, and is looking forward to the many challenges ahead of him. So, for all you, Doyel included, quit whining and saying that the Army has "possibly killed him". Wish him the best of luck, and hope that in two years he gets a second chance at the NFL if wants it. |
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| Mike Freeman: Finally someone who gets this entire situation. Thanks for your service and thanks for taking the time to digest this complicated mess. My guess is Campbell probably agrees with you and understands the Army's decision. In the end, I'm sure we can all agree that we hope Campbell gets another shot at the NFL. |
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If they need bodies for wars or other missions, they're going to get them, and it doesn't matter if you can run a 4.5 40-yard dash or not. And that's the way it should be.
Not everyone can play in the NFL, you say? Campbell is special, you respond? He is, but there are likely other recent West Point graduates who could make huge salaries in the private sector but don't get special permission to abandon their obligations.
Most soldiers I knew when serving (who went on to become lifelong friends) understood this. Campbell does as well, I guarantee you. That's why you don't hear any complaints from him.
You didn't hear a peep from Mitch Harris, either. Harris was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals but must fulfill a five-year commitment to the military. David Robinson never complained upon graduating from the Naval Academy and serving two years of active duty before the military allowed him to leave early for the NBA.
It's war; the rules change. In the Army, the rules always change when the Army wants them to. It has been that way for hundreds of years.
You may think the Iraq war is a disgrace and was started under false pretences, but it's still there and West Point graduates can't walk away from their obligation so they can play football.
The timing is awful, sure. But is there ever such a thing as good timing when a country is mired in combat?
And again, Campbell hasn't fought this and likely won't because he knows he shouldn't. Because he's a soldier.
And by fulfilling his obligation he already has become a great one.
