Do the cadets/midshipmen/Air Force Academy students get a paycheck? What I mean is that when you enroll in one of the service academies are you then in the military? If they are then it would follow that they would receive a paycheck the same as other people in the service. If they do get a paycheck how does the NCAA deal with the athletes being paid? @COTiger would probably know
Although dated, the link gives you an idea of how much the cadets are paid monthly and their expenses. http://www.usafa.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9420
Because they are enlisted in the armed services and that is their first commitment or priority. Ever look at the OL/DL for Army, Navy, AF? Look small right? Because they still have to maintain height and weight standards set by the military. Not many of them drafted either because they usually have to serve their term before they can go play sports professionally.
Chad Hennings is the service academy athlete I am most familiar with. He was an All American and Outland Trophy winner at Air Force. He flew the A10 Warthog in the Gulf War and got an early release from active duty. I'm fairly certain David Robinson didn't serve his full commitment either.
They can't receive any money for playing varsity athletics. They get the same pay as all other cadets. I assume if other universities paid all students to attend, they would also be eligible to play. Try @HalloweenRun, he's a Naval Academy graduate. David Robinson got a special waiver because he was way over the navy height limitations. He later used the same height limitation to get an early exit from the Navy.
They don't, they get paid for being in the fucking military. God damnit dude you would argue with a fence post. Yes there are exceptions but usually they have to serve their time first and then go pro. As for ht/wt, they can also measure body fat. Lots of muscle heads have to do this, its called a tape test, because they are heavier than their height will allow but as long as they aren't tubs of lard they get a green light.
David Robinson was 6'7" when he signed with Navy. He grew to 6'11" after he was enrolled. Roger Staubach served 4 years in the Navy before he started his career with the Cowboys. Napolean Kaufman was stationed in San Diego but played for the Raiders on Sundays.
I don't remember what he enlisted for. If it was to be a pilot then it was a crafty move by the academy because there isn't a cockpit in the arsenal that he would fit into. Other than that there are no "you are too tall to be in the military" rules that I know of.
