Tillman Promoted After Death
PHOENIX — Pat Tillman was promoted posthumously from specialist to corporal after the former NFL player was killed while serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan.
“The Army always notes that rank and promotion are not a reward of what was done well, but a recognition that you have the potential to do more,” Army spokeswoman Martha Rudd said Thursday. “This promotion is essentially saying he would have been a fine leader.”
Tillman, who walked away from a three-year, $3.6 million contract offer from the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army in 2002, was killed April 22 when the Army patrol was ambushed near the Afghan-Pakistani border.
Rudd said the promotion indicated increased responsibility and leadership but the pay scale remained the same.
Rudd said it would not affect any benefits Tillman’s family receives.
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