11/05/24
August 29, 2010
Decisions Are Never Easy: Growing up Ben Garland had two dreams, being a pilot in the Air Force and playing football for the Denver Broncos. Now he is forced to choose between the two.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia to football at 11:12 PM - 7 comments
I think career-wise, that's good advice. It's always good to see as many capable people get military flight training and experience as possible, because many of those folks end up bringing a higher readiness and resourcefulness standard to the civilian/commercial pilot ranks after they leave the military.
However, not every piece of current flight equipment procured by the Pentagon is airworthy, and there are lots of risks with military flight. The routine incidents and loss of life don't always make the news, but happen frequently enough. Lots of good people flying equipment that should have never been approved, built, or paid for.
Also, if he's really juiced to build up a lot of flight hours, the USAF may not be the place for that. A greater proportion of fighter missions have been given to Navy personnel in recent years, with the AF doing more long haul heavy work.
Any near term growth is likely going to be with unmanned aircraft - drones, etc. Legislators are starting to pound their fists about the cost of maintaining far-flung airbases around the world. The land-based fighter pilot may become an endangered species before too long.
Plus, as bright and motivated as this kid is, they would probably want to promote him right out of an airplane and up to a desk before too long.
If the Broncos had both Tebow and this kid on the roster at the same time, the press would go gaga and they would automatically become the new America's Team. The way the Cowboys have looked this pre-season, Jerry Jones would have to do naked Rocky and Bullwinkle swan dives into a shallow tank from the top of the video display just to get people to notice that Dallas still had a franchise.
posted by beaverboard at 07:08 AM on August 30, 2010
beaverboard, as retired USAF and former USAF Thunderbird, I have never heard someone so completely wrong and out of touch about military aviation. I could list your points and give facts refuting, but I think it would be a waste of time.
Wait, the one about being bright and being promoted *snicker* "right out of the airplane" is too hard to pass up. Nah. Nevermind.
I predict this guy will choose the NFL, because judging by his size he will probably fly heavies, which is a completely different comparison that the one they paint in the article.
posted by smithnyiu at 09:42 AM on August 30, 2010
smithnyiu, I accept your refutation with admiration for your background as I do not have the distinguished service record that you do.
To look further into specific issues I mentioned such as airworthiness of certain aircraft would take more time that I have at the moment, so I will have to let your refutation stand as is. Besides, this is a sports site, so I shouldn't have gone off on the non-sports-related content as I did to begin with.
I don't think I was wrong on all points, however. For one, there has been an increasing amount of discussion related to the merit of maintaining overseas air bases as part of the overall deficit and debt discussion by both commentators and elected officials.
Anyway, enough said. I defer to your expertise and now back to sports.
posted by beaverboard at 11:48 AM on August 30, 2010
The next day, Garland showed up to practice his arm in a cast, ready to play. The player who was supposed to be out at least four weeks never missed a day.
Yeah, sounds like he is hardwired to have a short NFL career leading to a wheelchair and brain damage. Go Air Force.
posted by rumple at 02:29 PM on August 30, 2010
If he likes his odds as an NFL prospect and where he stands at the end of camp, he can request a sports waiver from the Air Force which will require him to spend two years in the service before making a try at the NFL again. But doing so means giving up his spot in flight school, which requires at least a five-year commitment in the Air Force.
I need a translator. I have no idea what this means. If he requests a sports waiver, then what happens? Does he get to play in the NFL? Also, why can't he go to flight school after his stint in the NFL?
posted by bperk at 01:00 PM on August 31, 2010
I need a translator. I have no idea what this means. If he requests a sports waiver, then what happens? Does he get to play in the NFL? Also, why can't he go to flight school after his stint in the NFL?
If he requests the waiver and it is granted, he must spend 2 years in the Air Force, and then try to play in the NFL. He only gets to play if he makes the team. Flight school would be out the window because of the 5 year obligation.
Joe Bellino and Roger Staubach come to mind as players who excelled at the service academies, served a full 4-year commitment in the service, and later made it to the NFL. I'm sure there are more.
I have also heard that at one time it was possible to "buy one's way" out of his obligation after having completed his education at a service academy. I seem to remember that a full refund of the cost of education, pay and allowances earned as a cadet, and quarters and messing costs was required. It was an expensive proposition, but for an NFL club, it would be chump change. I'm not sure if this is still allowed.
My advice is to stay in the Air Force. If he ends up flying "heavies", as smithnyu suggests, he's quite unlikely to be replaced by an unmanned aircraft. There's no way a drone can tote the load of a C-17 or a C-130. There's also the possibility of the B-2, and a career as a "mushroom grower".
posted by Howard_T at 02:18 PM on August 31, 2010
Go fly kid! The odds of you surving the concusson waves from mach 1 plus over the course of your long and gloroius flight career, will be dramatically better than than not just the concussion, but the broken hands and sprained knees, the linebacker slamming in to your back that deliverers the damage to those blulging disks in your back.
No too mention the worst injurys where knees have to be replaced, or whe the ACL gets cuts torn or damaged. a lot of rage because the coaching staff who were resposible for you.
and the coach who loved you yesteday before the injury and is now sadly looking at months of difficult rehab before he decides to cut you lose. its for the good of the team he tell you when they show you the door out the side, the one used for deliveries.
trust me, you pick flying and wear those dress blues with your shiny shoes and those gold wings will enable you to volunteer at the old foootball rest homes and help guys get up from their chairs.