Pitcher Nick Hill, who has played two minor league seasons in the Seattle Mariners’ system since graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 2007, is one of a handful of Army officers who are trying to pursue careers in professional sports under a policy redefined by Secretary of the Army Pete Geren last year. The revised policy states officer-athletes can apply for early release from active-duty service after two years to pursue their sports careers.
Others affected by the policy signed by Secretary of the Army Pete Geren last July 11 include:
-Caleb Campbell, West Point class of 2008, was drafted last April by the NFL’s Detroit Lions. He agreed to a contract with the Lions but hadn’t signed it, left their training camp last July and came back to West Point as an athletic intern. Trained as an air defense artillery officer, he left in late December for basic officer training. Campbell’s two years of active duty end in May 2010. He can then apply to return to football.
-Minor league hockey player Brad Roberts, West Point class of 2006, got orders to go be an armor officer at Fort Hood, Texas.
-Former Army star closer Milan Dinga, a 10th-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Angels in 2007, briefly reached Triple-A last year then went back to West Point on active duty to work at the Center for Enhanced Performance, a psychology skills program for cadets. Dinga is also rehabilitating from two surgeries and hopes to be throwing again this summer.
-Outfielder Cole White, a 42nd-round pick by Pittsburgh last June, works in West Point’s baseball office. He expects to go to basic officer training and a unit before applying for early release in May 2010.
-Pitcher Drew Clothier was selected in the 37th round last year by the Florida Marlins. He’s at basic officer training, as is catcher Chris Simmons, taken by Pittsburgh in the 41st round.
Clothier, Simmons and White graduated last May and played Class A ball before the policy change.
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