<p>The Navy has three options. First, set up some program similar to Army where the individual spends a few years doing both and then an extended Reserve commitment. This plan is nothing but a feeble rationalization. An athlete is going to get paid a Govt. salary to ‘recruit’ while being a full time athlete. navy07 brings up two very good points. Is it effective recruiting? and is it an effective active duty commitment for a Naval Officer? Personally, I think that any exposure of the Academy can be beneficial. One of our largest obstacles is that a lot of people do not realize that USNA is a 4 year college. When I mentioned to my MD, an Ohio State grad, that we were going to start playing them year after next, he was surprised that OSU would play a service team instead of a college. Our minister for 26 years, knowing that both myself and my son were grads, when I tried to explain my obtuseness as being that of a trained engineer, stated that he did not realize I had gone to college. So, USNA grads in the pro ranks would increase this awareness. No doubt. At what expense? They will not be carrying their share of the load as an active duty sailor or Marine. It is contrary to good order and morale. It will breed resentment. SecNav this year disallowed Special Forces and EOD to apply for the astronaut program Everyone has to be on board for an organization to show commitment. This will not happen and,therefore, I am opposed to the Army ‘scam’ and anything the Navy might do to emulate it.</p>
<p>The second option would be to let them out of their military commitment. Again, from the examples I mentioned earlier, to the corporate, scholastic, etc examples raised by others, why allow one special interest and not the others? Any preferential treatment, again, would be contrary to good order and morale. Also, the buyout for a professional athlete would be ‘chump change’ while it would not be for the other categories. So, it also won’t work.</p>
<p>Thirdly, do nothing. which is the only thing that will work. Fortunately, at present, Navy is more established than Army. Army, continually rebuilding, plays more young players. They are having a problem retaining those who excel early after two years. Navy, with a few exceptions, does not. If you will check the Mountain West school’s rosters however, you will note that NAPS seems to be a major prep program for them. If one remains after two years and has signed the commitment, honor it.</p>
<p>However, all things considered, this is a very interesting conversation.</p>