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Old 04-08-2008, 09:00 PM   #33
jadler03
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 613
shogun,

I concur with soylent's statement.

Quote:
Apparently those people who did the alternative service didn't WANT to serve enough.
If the athletes in this program REALLY wanted to SERVE their country, they would have rejected an offer for this program. I believe this is what soylent is saying. I highly doubt that the Department of the Army would force a 2ndLt. to compete in a professional-level sport, if they'd rather go serve alongside a unit.

This isn't to say that any cadet hasn't earned their right to be commissioned or that he isn't a good officer or leader. It is just differentiating someone who REALLY wants to SERVE and will make a sacrifice and someone who wants to pursue their own ambitions, while providing a side service (recruitment due to visibility).

This is exactly why a LOT of people hold Pat Tillman in the regards they do....he gave up his personal ambitions (sacrifice) for something much greater.
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