US Army Ranger CPT Alejandro Villanueva Signs Contract with the Philadelphia Eagles

Capt Brandon Charters — Mon, 05 May 2014 16:42:03 -0400

West Point grad, Ranger, 3 tours, and a Bronze Star recipient. Not to mention a beast...6'9, 277lbs. If you read his story, he's been dreaming of this moment for a long time. Awesome achievement.

Anyone have a story of balancing the military and a pro/semi-pro athletic career? I know many of the 'service funded' athletic programs are running dry of funding. Do you think there is value in keeping these programs in place?

Eagles Sign 6'9" US Army Ranger

From the battlegrounds in Afghanistan to the gridiron in the City of Brotherly Love. There may be more talented players and ones more likely to make the Philadelphia Eagles roster ...

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 5 at 2014 5:40 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 05 May 2014 17:40:19 -0400

Athletes make for Good PR. Remember my Disbursing Officer onboard CGN-36 USS California Mr David Robinson.

Response by SSG Mark Ives made May 5 at 2014 6:09 PM

SSG Mark Ives — Mon, 05 May 2014 18:09:53 -0400

It makes sense to have a real hero who's an athlete for a change. I remember a promising player who became a Ranger after 9-11, Pat Tillman. I met Pat while at the Arizona Cardinals training camp during the Summer of 2001. He was a truly genuine individual!

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made May 5 at 2014 6:29 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 05 May 2014 18:29:02 -0400

I am proud of this guy. Well done!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2014 6:30 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 May 2014 18:30:31 -0400

I think the programs have value of teaching teamwork, work ethic, and physical training. May just have to find a way to trim the budget.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2014 7:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 May 2014 19:23:45 -0400

Thats awesome. I hope he makes it on the team.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2014 2:32 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 May 2014 02:32:07 -0400

SIR

Good luck to you, hopefully you can use Philly as a stepping stone to get to a real team like the BUCs.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 30 at 2014 3:51 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 15:51:39 -0500

Forget the Eagles, teach him to skate and make him one of our Flyers!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 30 at 2014 3:56 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 15:56:15 -0500

Forgive my NFL ignorance, is there a status update on this man? I watch Flyers hockey and Flyers hockey.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Nov 30 at 2014 7:45 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 19:45:20 -0500

Capt Brandon Charters Anything which benefits Service Members and leads to this kind of positive exposure should be maintained and perhaps have additional funds added to. This Ranger is now "leading the way" in professional athletics. In essence are service members not a form of a professional athlete anyway? After all we do get paid to work out,. right?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 7:54 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 19:54:57 -0500

A great story!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 30 at 2014 9:35 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 21:35:09 -0500

The latest intel I found puts him with Pittsburgh now. I respect the Penguins but.......

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/tag/_/name/alejandro-villanueva

AFC North

PITTSBURGH -- There may not be a more intriguing prospect in the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room than practice squad player Alejandro Villanueva.

Response by TSgt Jackie Jones made Nov 30 at 2014 9:47 PM

TSgt Jackie Jones — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 21:47:52 -0500

I was able to participate on the women's softball team for the different places I was stationed. There was funding for uniforms and some tournaments against other bases' teams. It was a great experience all around. Then the money "dried up" and we could participate if we footed the bill. Most of us still played, but it made it more difficult. I think sports should be supported, for people like this guy. Excellent job!

Response by 1LT David Moeglein made Nov 30 at 2014 10:09 PM

1LT David Moeglein — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 22:09:42 -0500

I'm guessing it's either athletic programs or antisocial acts. I vote for the athletic programs.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 10:36 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 22:36:36 -0500

I am upset that everything that makes our traditions seems to be on the chopping block and in spite of some scandalous behavior by some, the Academies are the Dukes and Harvard of our military.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 10:52 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 22:52:34 -0500

A role model to look up too. If the athletic programs help troop morale then carry on. Well done Captain!

Response by SSG Leonard J W. made Nov 30 at 2014 11:28 PM

SSG Leonard J W. — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 23:28:11 -0500

Capt Brandon Charters, this is awesome, sir! What a great story!!

I vote to keep the programs.

Personally speaking: the Army life is a culture shock to many. Service funded athletic programs offer the younger (and sometimes older) cadets something familiar to participate in during their training. The sports are a healthy outlet to stress, they promote physical fitness, and they are an excellent way of building camaraderie.