What effect, if any, do you think this will have on recruiting in regards to Air Force vs. Army/Navy?
According to The Denver Post, the Academy will no longer allow athletes to postpone their two years of active duty to join a professional sports team.
“The Air Force notified Academy officials (Thursday) that the service would not approve requests to waiver active duty military service commitments for cadet athletes,” the Academy said in a statement. “Cadets will be required to serve two years active duty prior to entering Ready Reserve status, which would permit their participation in professional sports.
That new ruling goes against a May 2016 update to the Department of Defense Pro Sports Policy that said a “service member can request to be tendered an appointment in the reserve upon graduation and satisfy their commissioned serve obligation in the Ready Reserve.” That change allowed record-setting Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds to be selected last year by the Baltimore Ravens and immediately join the team, but now Robinette, Air Force’s all-time leading receiver, cannot follow suit until he completes his two years of duty.
According to the Post, the Department of Defense’s policy has not been changed. Instead, Air Force will not grant requests for deferral from Falcons athletes. According to ESPN, it does not appear that Army or Navy will follow suit.
According to The Denver Post, the Academy will no longer allow athletes to postpone their two years of active duty to join a professional sports team.
“The Air Force notified Academy officials (Thursday) that the service would not approve requests to waiver active duty military service commitments for cadet athletes,” the Academy said in a statement. “Cadets will be required to serve two years active duty prior to entering Ready Reserve status, which would permit their participation in professional sports.
That new ruling goes against a May 2016 update to the Department of Defense Pro Sports Policy that said a “service member can request to be tendered an appointment in the reserve upon graduation and satisfy their commissioned serve obligation in the Ready Reserve.” That change allowed record-setting Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds to be selected last year by the Baltimore Ravens and immediately join the team, but now Robinette, Air Force’s all-time leading receiver, cannot follow suit until he completes his two years of duty.
According to the Post, the Department of Defense’s policy has not been changed. Instead, Air Force will not grant requests for deferral from Falcons athletes. According to ESPN, it does not appear that Army or Navy will follow suit.
