HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- Chad Hall will soon be trading his combat boots for a pair of cleats.
Hall, a 2nd Lt. with the 388th Fighter Wing's 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit at Hill Air Force Base, recently signed a three-year contract with the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles.
"This has been a lifelong dream of mine," Hall said Friday afternoon.
"Most kids growing up have a dream of what they'd like to become, whether it's a fireman or a policeman or whatever. I always wanted to be a professional football player."
Hall said the Eagles signed him after seeing him at the University of Utah's pro day and another private workout in Philadelphia.
He will most likely play as a return specialist and third-down running back.
The post graduation Air Force commitment is typically five years, but Hall is asking the Air Force to allow him to transfer from an active-duty member of the force to a reservist.
Hall has been at Hill since June 2008.
"The Air Force seems supportive of the whole thing," Hall said.
"Because I'm not quitting the Air Force, I'm just trying to become a reservist. Right now, the Air Force is the most important thing in my life."
Hall's last game as an Air Force Falcon was in the 2008 Armed Forces Bowl against California.
After graduating from the Academy, Hall participated in the Atlanta Falcons mini-camp, but did not make the team.
Hall, 23, said he hasn't played competitively since the bowl game in 2008.
"It's been pretty tough being away from the game this long," he said.
"But I've stayed in pretty good shape and I've been working out the entire time. I just wanted to play in the NFL really bad, so I never quit working."
Hall said he's been getting advice on how to balance a career as an Air Force reservist and professional athlete from former Air Force Academy players who have played pro football.
"I've talked with a lot of different guys," Hall said.
"It's all been really helpful. I talked to (former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle) Chad Hennings and he's been great. They've been through this, so they can kind of tell me what to expect."
Hall, who grew up in Atlanta, said he is excited to suit up with players he idolized during his youth.
"Living in Atlanta, I was a fan of Michael Vick, so I'm excited to play with him," he said.
"But there are too many guys to mention. Donovan McNabb is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. It's going to be fun."
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