Pat Tillman, a safety for the Arizona Cardinals, has walked away from a lucrative contract to join the Army instead. Here is the story from the Army Times: http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-931045.php Tracy<><
I read about this the other day. It shocked me, but impressed me also. I suppose this is a show of true patriotism - serve your country for $1000 a month (or whatever it is now, that was about what I made as an E-4 ten years ago) rather than the big bucks in the NFL. Of course, he does hope to continue his career after serving his enlistment. I wish him well. clint
Sorry, that should be "quits," rather than "quites." Maybe it should of looked like this: Sorry, that should be "quits", rather than "quites". I could be wrong At any rate, this reminds me when Ridick Bow joined the Marine Corps (he was admin. sep. ONE month into boot-camp). Then again, three months of USMC recruit training is pretty intense! I'm sure it will be a cake walk for Pat Tillman to endure NASTY ARMY training. (JUST KIDDING DO NOT FLAME!) Bill
Bill, I know I am a newbie, but come on. What does that have to do with anything. This isn't a doctoral dissertation. Tony
Not to mention the fact that Tillman says he wants to be a ranger. Most don't make it--but Tillman might, if he wants it bad enough. Either way, he could still have a great career, if he chooses to stay. Tracy<><
cdhale: "... I suppose this is a show of true patriotism - serve your country for $1000 a month ..." And even true patriots have the potential to benefit handsomely. Just saw on 60 Minutes that Colin Powell had all the speaking engagements he could handle at $50,000 each, plus a private jet. No fees while in the Cabinet -- but imagine how much more he'll be making after January 20, 2005 (unless, of course, President Gore asks him to stay on).
With all due respect Dr. Bear, Yes, I am sure he will make money and be more marketable after this. But, you should think about what he will lose in opportunity cost and in depreciation for his age (no idea how this is termed in sports). Regardless, from a financial point of view, this is not very smart. Maybe it extends beyond that? Wouldn't surprise me. Tony
It's too bad that this does not forecast SECSTATE as President Powell...that's a shot in the arm America needs. I would happily elect him as our first African-American president. My hat is off to Tillman for his decision - life in the U.S. Army, regardless of position, has its ups and downs. I recall reading that the U.S. Army began a relationship with the Arena Football League - perhaps Tillman's bid to work with the Rangers will be a short one. One poster suggested that Army training is less than arduous. It is today - when I returned to active duty in 1999, I was required to return to AIT with freshly graduating basic trainees. They spoke of loving basic training and all the fun they'd had. I recall in horror the basic training I endured in 1986 at Fort Benning, GA. 13-weeks I'm glad I'll never have to repeat. Perhaps not containing the psychological baggage of marine boot camp - but demanding all the same. Steven King
That also surprises me. I remember my basic at Ft Benning in 1989. I actually wrote home to my parents and described it as "hell". Coming from a religious family (Dad was a minister, also), I took that term seriously... . Actually, I think I basically said something like, "if hell is worse than this, then I SURE don't want to go there..." Certainly, basic would never have been called "fun." As to Tillman vs Powell... Colin Powell may have made the big bucks at speaking engagements, but I have never been paid a penny for telling my army experience. Since I was a sniper, I have been asked several times to speak before a group about what that was like, but so far, they have been done out of the goodness of my heart (usually speaking to delinquent youths). I suppose that Tillman may be able to give a few press conferences, but in the end won't make much money from them. He'll have to live with his $1000 a month.. clint
Clint, I spent four years at the Army's best kept secret at the time - Fort Ord, California, with the 7th Infantry Division. Where were you? Steven King
Hey Steven, Unfortunately, I was stationed at Ft Drum, NY for the duration of my enlistment. Luckily, I was able to go TDY frequently (Honduras, Germany, Panama, etc). My military experience was beneficial and worthwhile, but I hated Ft Drum. I was in 1/22 Inf of the 10th Mountain Div. I think 1/22 is deactivated now, but 10th Mt just came back from Afghanistan recently. oh well, lots of memories... clint
For that, he'd need permission from whoever will be writing the checks from Beijing in 2004. "Gore and Clinton: Winners of the 1996 Most Desired U.S. Presidential Candidates Award by the People's Republic of China."
Memories indeed Clint, As you know...life in the Infantry, was...well...interesting. I, too, have been to Honduras and Panama as Central America was our main theatre of operation. My CIB from Operation Just Cause (nicknamed "Just Because") in Panama always stimulates conversation when I meet fellow members of the Army medical community now. My most pressing memory of infantry life was completion of the Manchu Mile. Four days to complete a 100-mile road march - hey it earned me the only authorized alternate belt buckle in the Army. One I still wear to this day... Oh the memories, Steven King
Steven, Since the 10th Mt is light infantry, we did those marches all the time. 25-30 mile road marches were very common. 100 miles were less common, but we did a couple of them. The longest I marched was in Germany during Reforger '90, when we basically walked from Stuttgart to Groefenvoer ( I know I butchered the spellings there). As I remember it was about 150 miles, but we took @ 10 days to do it. I always missed getting the CIB (thankfully). During Just Cause, we were in Germany (or rather our equipment was en route for Germany), during Desert Storm, we were in Panama. Honestly, being a sniper gave me absolutely no marketable skills, but it has helped to get me a job or two. Soon after my ETS, I was applying for a job, while attending college. Rather than talk about the job, my abilites, etc, the interviewer asked me a zillion questions about being a sniper - then I got the job. That gives me an interesting answer when folks ask how being in the military has helped me in the civilian world... lol clint
Gore??? Gore who??? Was that the woman who was trying to get warning labels on records & tapes. Will she be running on the democratic ticket. North
In reference to Tillman leaving the NFL for the army, Peter King of Sports Illustrated mentions him in his recent article. King also wants to thank all the veterans. That covers 2/3 of the conversations on this topic... you can read his article here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/peter_king/news/2002/05/27/mmqb/ clint