I posted this over at Confederate Yankee's page too:

I was sitting next to an Admiral and one of the Deans from Annapolis at an event the other night and we spent the evening talking about this subject.

His opinion was that a star athlete provides far more service to the military (and the country) as a positive role model for children (such as David Robinson vs. almost anyone else in the NBA) and for recruitment purposes.

Also, he indicated that his understanding was the program would utilize the athletes full time for recruiting purposes after the initial two year term expired (both through television commercials, appearances at high school recruiting fairs and tie ins with whatever team they were playing on) as well as sitting behind the desk at the local recruiting station.

If folks are willing to go through all that (which is a sacrifice since their other buddies on the team basically charge a fortune to show up for promotional evens) I don't have much of a problem with it.

I do not see how an athlete is a better role model than an armed forces officer. I know the answer is in the marketing, but I don't have to like it.
I cannot see that this is ultimately in the best interests of the military or the individual. Call me old-fashioned.

I don't think an athlete is a better role model per se, however, the general public knows who the individual athletes are and kids generally look to athletes to be role models.

Its not a situation I desire or applaud, but it happens to be the situation. Sticking your head in the sand and screaming that you don't approve of it doesn't change anything.

Good for the armed forces for trying to solve two problems (recruitment issues, desire of athletes to earn big dollars) with one good solution.

If they want to quit to chase the big bucks, fine. Just reimburse the gov't up front - four years at Harvard full-tuition rates, plus something for all the fine exercise classes - and they're free to go. Unless, of course, their sudden desire to go play ball arrives is suspiciously timed so as to keep their ass out of combat; then we can hang them for cowardice, right?