Viti and his country ties....

[HipPAUPatonomous]

Not really sure how his service will affect him with the team, if it even will. Anyone know the deal with Mike and how/what he has to serve his country?!?

[buffalo26]

The Army is the only branch that will let there cadets opt out of there overseas commitments if they make a professional sport, I`m not to sure but I think they can put of there service commitment until they are thru with there careers

[MTP]

He will have to serve as a recruiter during his days off. The Army's feeling is these individuals can be more effective recruiters than "normal people" due to their celebrity/professional athlete status.

This has become a big issue of late, because many people feel it is unfair that they can opt out of there committment and "normal people" can't.

[Luka_GoBills]

And that annoys me to no end. The Army is volunteer, and they also make the rules. So if you choose to sign up, you go by their rules. If they allow these guys to opt out and recruit on their days off, that's the Army's choice, not the soldiers choice.

[Tates]

He will have to serve as a recruiter during his days off. The Army's feeling is these individuals can be more effective recruiters than "normal people" due to their celebrity/professional athlete status.

This has become a big issue of late, because many people feel it is unfair that they can opt out of there committment and "normal people" can't.

If they can make an NFL team, they aren't normal people!

I am a grad and I have been pushing for this for a long time. We need all types of officers in the Army - an officer playing pro sports can do wonderful things for the Army as a whole and West Point.

In a time a war, we need recruits to volunteer for service - these players can help in that regard - we also need sports figures to go to Walter Reed and hospitals all over the country to help the morale of our injured soldiers and their families. These players will be helping with recruiting and the morale of our troops - these are vital to having the Army healthy as they are putting so much on the line.

West Point is excited about this program - they have two baseball players that were drafted this year and now one FB player drafted and Mike signed as a UDFA - here is the article on the two NFL players:

http://www.goarmysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11100&ATCLID=1449276

[dave14103]

I've got mixed feelings about the subject. But you're right... the Army makes the rules. After the two-year recruiter duty, he can buy out of his active duty time and do six years in the Reserves - and the Reserves spend as much time in Iraq as the active duty folk.

If it increases recruiting and increases enrollment to the Academy, I'm all for it.

But I'd still love to see one of these guys say "I came in to be a soldier, not a football player,' and turn down a sports contract.

[Thurmanator34]

I've got mixed feelings about the subject. But you're right... the Army makes the rules. After the two-year recruiter duty, he can buy out of his active duty time and do six years in the Reserves - and the Reserves spend as much time in Iraq as the active duty folk.

If it increases recruiting and increases enrollment to the Academy, I'm all for it.

But I'd still love to see one of these guys say "I came in to be a soldier, not a football player,' and turn down a sports contract.

One of the baseball players did that. Not sure what his name is, it was on Sports Center the other night. He was in the minor leagues, and he decided to rejoin his rother in the army instead of trying to pursue MLB.

[AG Ski]

Actually there is a clause in the army regulations few people know about. Doesn't matter who you are but if you can get a 1 year written contract making a certain amount more than what you make in a year in the military they will terminate your active duty contract and put you in the reserves for the remainder of your original commitment.

[BuFFbEASTmODE23]

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080504/SPORTS0102/805040333/1007/SPORTS
this article has good info on Viti's situation

[BEASTMODE_23]

We owe our military members everything they get, they are why youre able to spout off on this board. If a few out of the millions can get saved from going to that hellhole in the desert let them.

[nortonbillsfan]

Yeah my wife got out of the navy on the silver spoon loop hole. Cause her parents signd her over a gas station. If u can prove to the military that u can make more money they let u out. Takin pay doesnt hurt u if u say win the lottery. Im in the army and have a very nice bank account but ive heard it like 250k to get out with cash or u can buy out contract not sure on the cash in hand part. Record contracts work to. But like doctors and pilots get paid extra encentive money to stay in otherwise they all would be able to get out.
He will make more on the PS squad then the army will pay him as a lt easy. And it is a very sneaky recruitin plan. He can say u can play pro football in the army lol.