Reader disagrees with Jeff Christian

Michelle de Stefano
Published: August 3, 2008

This letter is in regards to Jeff Christian’s article, “Army botches Campbell decision” in the Sunday sports section. I disagree strongly with Mr. Christian’s assertion that the Army should have granted this
West Point graduate a special waiver to play ball while his fellow graduates fulfilled the obligation incurred by their 4 years of free education by serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

To know any of these graduates is to know that they are talented in many areas, yet they make their choice to excel in the one of becoming a military officer. To grant special dispensation to those who
are recognized as being good at playing ball games is inconsistent. 

For example, there are many fine musicians in the military academies, yet waivers from active duty service are not granted just because one of them joined a promising band. Mr. Christian’s comment
that, “If a man, or woman, has the talent that Campbell and others have, they should be allowed to pursue them and serve at the same time” reveals his unfamiliarity with the singularity of purpose required
when pursuing anything to the level of excellence that Campbell is working towards. 

At that level, there is room for only one priority. Campbell appears to have accepted this fact with grace. I, personally, am glad that he will be putting his many talents to use in ways far nobler than
playing ball.

MICHELLE de STEFANO

Woodbridge