Caleb Campbell, a graduate of West Point’s army officer academy and star linebacker for the Army Black Knights, was drafted by the Detroit Lions this past weekend. The Lions’ newest rookie is headed to training camp, when just a few days ago he was all set to serve in Iraq as the commander of his own platoon. The military has established a new rule with their graduating cadets: They can now go pro in sports provided they spend some of their off time as a recruiter. The Lions are hoping that Campbell does not meld his day job with his moonlighting. And vise versa.

There is very little chance that this will blow up into a Pat Tillman sort of political-sports tragedy, as he’s doing the exact opposite move. Odds are Campbell will not become a big-name athlete, either. Campbell did the right thing by trying to follow his dream of playing pro sports. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He has only a few fleeting years of his life to play for a team that’s a season or two away from winning it all. The same cannot be said of the Iraq war.

Smart move, Campbell. Something tells us the war will be there for you when your playing days are done.