After stepping away from a career as an infantry officer that included a Bronze Star Medal for his actions in Afghanistan, Mike Viti launched Mike's Hike for Heroes, a 7,100-kilometer walk that began in April 2014 and ended in Baltimore before last season's Army-Navy game in December. Each kilometer of the hike honored a fallen service member; the last two kilometers paid tribute to 1st Lt. Steven "Chase" Prasnicki and Navy 2nd Lt. James Patrick Blecksmith, both former service academy football players who died in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively.

Viti, who co-founded the Legacies Alive nonprofit designed to back awareness efforts similar to his hike, will serve as director of high school and alumni relations for the Black Knights.

"As I explored my options for what was next in my career, I knew I wanted to help others," the 2008 West Point grad said in a Monday news release announcing the hiring, "and what better way than in Army football, something that means so much to me. My experiences as a football player helped me grow as a person and connected me with lifelong friends. The bond Army football players share is like nothing else in the country."

Head coach Jeff Monken called the former captain (both on field and in uniform) "a tremendous ambassador," according to the release, adding that Viti's "experience as a cadet, as a football player, as a soldier and as a leader will be very beneficial in this role."

Primarily used as a blocker, Viti had 91 carries for 321 yards and three touchdowns over his four-year career.

About Kevin Lilley

Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.

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