<p>To imply that My Mid or I have the expectation that the Navy will or would pay for Law School is one gigantic leap… As a tax payer I certainly do not think that the government needs to be paying for graduate school after investing $300,000 in undergraduate educations. The only plus would be that at least that graduate degree would be for the benefit of the Navy, and ultimately the tax payer. Does this ball player expect to be paid by the US Navy and Ball Club? How does his playing ball benefit the tax payer after they have spent $300,000 on his education? What does the US Navy get for their money?</p>
<p>I can argue that waiting 5 to 8 years to take the LSAT is also a huge disadvantage when looking at schools like Stanford and Yale. Both have indicated that they would not look at scores that are 5 to 8 years old if he were to take them now. So like the pitcher he will have to “try” out 5 to 8 years out of school. Does this bother my Mid - sure. Is he willing to not sign his papers - no way. He went to USNA knowing the service requirement. Granted he, also like the athlete, did not know that he would have it in him to be qualified for graduate school, nor did he even have the desire at age 18. USNA develops Midshipmen in various ways and one of the things mine has “developed” is an entirely different desire for a career path. Even as an Engineering major he has had the ability through validations to open up his schedule and take numerous social science classes. Those faculty members and subject matter have reshaped his desires. </p>
<p>As for the age issue: take a look at numerous major league teams pitching roosters and you will find the ages to range from 18 to almost 40</p>
<p>Braves 22-33 Average age 28
Yankees 23-39 Average age 30
Cubs 18-38 Average age 27
Mets 24-37 Average Age 30
Dodgers 20-38 Average Age 29.5</p>
<p>So graduating at age 22 and serving his commitment for 5 years puts him at age 27, Spend some time in the farms and he is within the average age of todays pitchers and a ready made leader on the team…</p>
<p>He too might he able to have it both and just like the scholar, he just is going to have to wait to see. Yes he has the possibility that it might not happen. That is life. Fair? At a $300,000 investment…</p>
<p>We can keep agrueing the point but the bottom line is he signed a service agreement. The Navy did not signup to have to provide him with the opportunity to play ball. Needs of the Navy - we have heard it our entire time at USNA. Now the needs of the Navy are to have this young man report for deployment. Why should his needs out weigh the needs of the Navy?</p>