<p>Navy doctors and lawyers certainly do contribute to the military’s efforts. But so do recruiters. High profile athletes who got their start at one of the services academies reflect favorably on both the academy and the service that is represented.</p>
<p>Let’s be realistic about this. Do we really expect a flood of students/graduates bailing out in droves because they are becoming professional athletes or will be making 6-figures as an executive at some major corporation? Absolutely not! We’re hardly opening Pandora’s Box here.</p>
<p>It’s going to be a very rare occurrence.</p>
<p>I know it sounds as if I’m arguing the point. We’ve strayed from my initial inquiry regarding service obligation. I’m actually somewhat ambivalent on this point. I don’t feel strongly one way or the other. I guess I’m inclined to not see the harm in allowing somebody who ended up being an extraordinary athlete with tremendous potential to pursue a dream not afforded to many.</p>
<p>I would feel the same if somebody ended up being exceptionally brilliant - like an Einstein - be allowed to be exempt from military service in order to pursue constant research and development in some area. Imagine if a Naval Academy graduate found a cure for cancer -or- definitively proved the String Theory -or- was able to figure out a way to transport matter great distances. I wouldn’t have a problem with that.</p>