Hi everyone, was wondering if anyone knows about the process of joining a college football team after having served in the military. Is it possible? What would I need to be aware of if I chose this path?
Sure, it's definitely possible for you to join a college football team after serving in the military. Here are some things you might need to keep in mind:
1. Eligibility: One of the key factors that determine your eligibility is your age. The NCAA allows a military service exception to the five-year rule of participation. Normally, you have five years to participate in four years of collegiate competition. This "eligibility clock" begins when you start your full-time college studies. However, for student-athletes returning from military service, the eligibility clock is paused for the duration of your active duty service. Upon your return, you can resume your studies and football participation.
2. Recruitment: While your military service will likely be viewed as a positive in the recruitment process, you would still need to go through the same processes as other prospective athletes. This means that you should be contacting coaches, attending tryouts, and potentially even sending them footage of your skills.
3. Apply to an Education Program: To play football for a college, you must be enrolled as a student at that college. While this might seem obvious, it's an important point to bear in mind. You should apply for admission to the college through the regular application process and meet all the requisite academic requirements.
4. Fitness: Naturally, the physical demands of football will be different than those of military service. While you may have maintained your physical fitness during your military service, you will still need to adapt to the specific demands of football. That might entail working on your speed, agility, strength, and endurance specific to the game.
5. Transition: Transitioning from military service to college life can be a complex process. Colleges often have offices or resources dedicated to veteran affairs that can provide support relating to academics, career opportunities, counseling, and more.
Remember, the key to success is preparation and determination. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.