Different paths for Army, Navy pro draftees

Different paths for Army, Navy pro draftees
By Joseph White - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jun 13, 2008 22:22:22 EDT

WASHINGTON — A West Point graduate drafted by the Detroit Lions gets to put on his football pads right away, while a Naval Academy midshipman chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals is ordered to report to his ship for duty.

Possible new slogan for the Army: “Join us — and you can do both!”

The distinct approaches from the two service academies became apparent when Navy Secretary Donald Winter ruled Thursday that Mitch Harris must serve a five-year active-duty commitment. Harris, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher with a 95-mph fastball, was selected by the Cardinals in the 13th round in this month’s draft — the second-highest pick in Navy history — after a going 20-13 with a 2.51 ERA in four years for the Midshipmen, averaging 11.78 strikeouts per nine innings.

Instead of reporting to minor leagues, however, Harris is scheduled to report Monday for two weeks of school at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., then board the amphibious transport dock Ponce, where he said he’ll work as a weapons officer.

The Navy’s assertion: Events in Iraq and Afghanistan leave no room for exemptions for budding sports stars.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/06/ap_recruitingBattle_061308/