I've always had an uneasy feeling when it comes to the "Salute the Troops"-type moments at professional sporting events. Not that the troops being honored don't deserve public recognition. Far from it. But I tend to think they deserve something more than to be extras in a public relations campaign for the Department of Defense. 

According to Christopher Baxter of NJ.com, it appears that's exactly what's been happening in some instances.

Baxter reports that the Department of Defense has paid 14 NFL teams a total of $5.4 million from 2011 to 2014. 

Sadly, the Packers are one of those teams. 

You can see from the list, in three out of the four years in question, the Packers have received a total of $600,000 for dates that coincide with the preseason. 

Interestingly enough, I've been told by a source with the Vikings that while Minnesota did indeed receive the money listed in the NJ.com article, it was only ever used for things like gate signage and video board messages. The Vikings never paid for in-game recognition of any members of the military.

My source with the Vikings made it clear that they've recognized servicemen and women for 10 years "unpaid, as it should be." 

However, not all teams seem to have the same track record in that regard. 

U.S. Senator Jeff Flake from Arizona recently pointed out some military appearances that were directly tied to the New York Jets. Reading the list of what the Jets paid for, you can't help but recognize that our servicemen and women were reduced to little more than public relations props. 

As Flake told Baxter: 

Those of us who go to sporting events and see them honoring the heroes. You get a good feeling in your heart. Then to find out they're doing it because they're compensated for it, it leaves you underwhelmed. It seems a little unseemly. They realize the public believes they're doing it as a public service or a sense of patriotism. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

If the Department of Defense thinks reaching potential recruits is easier by marketing itself at sporting events, I have little issue with that. That money is probably better spent in that area than on television ads. 

Where I do have a problem is when that money is directly tied into in-game appearances by our military personnel. It makes my skin crawl that these heroes are being reduced to propaganda for both the Department of Defense and the NFL. 

I contacted the Packers early this morning to see how the money in question was spent during the three years listed in the NJ.com article. As of yet I have received no response. I'll let you know if I do. 

UPDATE: I recieved an email back overnight from Aaron Popkey, the Packers' Director of Public Affairs. His response: 

The Packers’ partnership with the Wisconsin National Guard is similar to our other partnerships in that it includes traditional marketing aspects designed to address its objectives, which are recruiting, retention and awareness. It featured advertising on TundraVision, stadium signage and Packers.com, as well as sponsorship of other programs and events such as the high school coach of the week, a job fair for veterans and a continuing medical education program. Our partnership arrangement does not simply focus on one specific event, but is comprised of many different features.