Military schools are a common place for students to look after high school. However, what does it look like to play a college sport for one of these institutions? In this article, I will discuss just that.

How do military schools recruit?

Military schools recruit similarly to any other school. They will have a head coach, a director of player development, and a few assistant coaches who direct recruiting. Military schools must follow all the NCAA guidelines for contacting prospective student-athletes. Coaches from these schools will scout at various tournaments, showcases, and events to find and recruit players. The only major difference in their recruiting process is that they have to let players know of the five-year service commitment. 

5 Year Service Commitment or a Pardon

With every military school, there is an obligation to serve five years on active duty. However, for high-caliber drafted athletes, the military will oftentimes give you a “pardon” on your five-year service commitment. This means that you might not have to serve the five-year obligation if you sign a professional contract. Technically, military colleges can force you to serve in the military while you are still in professional sports. However, most of the time, they are flexible and understand the present circumstances. 

NIL

Student-athletes competing at a United States service academy are currently not eligible to receive money in exchange for their name, image, and likeness. Military athletes are considered federal employees and federal employees cannot accept endorsements for private gain.

Paul Skenes and other notable military school alums

The recent #1 overall pick in the MLB draft was Paul Skenes; a right-handed pitcher from Louisiana State University. Before LSU, Skenes attended the United States Air Force Academy where he became a breakout star. Skenes absolutely loved playing baseball at the Air Force and praised the structure, discipline, and comradery present at the university. Some other notable draft picks from military colleges include Mitch Harris, Phil McConkey, and Karl Bolt.

* Originally published on January 16, 2024, by Will Rizzo