<p>I am writing this to aid a friend. She received a full Army ROTC scholarship to a college. In her sophomore year she developed migraines and notified her commanding officer. He did nothing and said it was okay to continue. She finished her sophomore year and junior year. When she arrived at summer military training between her junior and senior year, an army doctor asked her if she had any problems and she told him about the headaches. He immediately released her from the ROTC problem, put her on a plane and sent her home. In order to finish her senior year, she took out a personal student loan for $18,000. She maintained a 4.0 average in ROTC, fully expected and wanted a military career and maintained a 4.0 total average her last 2 years of college. This release was nothing she requested, wanted or desired. Now the Army is suing her for $37,000!!! They state she misled them. She had no headaches when entering the program and immediately informed them when they came up. This $37,000 can not be converted into a student loan and the only loan she can find is for $10,000 at 13% interest. For 2 years she has been in touch with the military - she is not allowed to meet anyone from the service or plead her case - it is all done by mail. Her commanding officer has even written a letter on her behalf. She has received her last mail from the Army stating they are sending her to collections. What is she to do?? In the mean time she has graduated from a police academy - the first in her class. But this salary in no way pays for living, paying off a student loan of $18,00 (which she has faithfully paid on for 2 years) and $37,000 which is due in its entirety. She even hired an attorney who also states that nothing can be done. This seems so unfair. Is this how the military treats its best and brightest? Do other potential ROTC students know about this pit-fall. Even an unexpected accident during college would leave a student fully responsible for their college bill if they had signed up for an ROTC probram. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>I think I recall reading somewhere that a student can withdraw from ROTC after the first year and not owe the $$ back, but thereafter they would owe it. She ought to get the commander who was informed of her headaches to put that in writing, or if she did it in writing, she should have that which could help prove her point. She may still owe the $, but perhaps they would work with her??</p>
<p>I believe she has written info and has forwarded it on to the ARmy. The Army has stated to her that it does not matter when and what was the problem - because she did not fulfill her obligation - the money is owed. BUT, she wanted to fulfill her obligation but was not allowed. I believe that is there would be the possibility of a compromise it would be only owing money for the time up to the time she notified her commander of her medical problem. Since he allowed her to stay in the college's ROTC program she had no idea that the ROTC (away from the college) would dismiss her from the program. Thank you for the reply.</p>
<p>The only possible method of appeals is to appeal to the SecArm (Dr. Harvey) who by contract is the only one who can release the candidate under DA Form 597-3.</p>
<p>I have written this down and will contact her with the info. She was released from ROTC in the summer of 2002 and finished college (at the same place where she had attended with ROTC) on her own - graduating in 2003.</p>
<p>I'd also suggest she contact one of her US Senators and/or US Representative ... they may help the Army "be fair" in this case.</p>
<p>I would like to add some additional information. She was given not 1 but 2 boards composed of her commanding officers in 2002. This is required ARmy regulation. Both boards found that she did not deceive the Army in any way but wished to complete her college and military obligation. They acknowledged that the medical finding at the summer camp had to be followed and that she would have to be released but they further recommended that she be relieved of financial obligations because she had notified the service of her headaches. These recommendations have been sent up the chain of command on numerous occasions and somewhere they are always overriden. Any suggestions on who to reach in the upper command and find out why they are not following the recommendation of their own commanding officers in the ROTC program.</p>
<p>You may want to try somewhere along the lines of TRADOC.. I don't think this is USAREC's department.</p>
<p>Also, USACC (US Army Cadet Command) is in charge of all SROTC and JROTC programs, they just had a change in command (the CG was recently changed) so you may want to try there, too.</p>
<p>Just because a board of inquiry finds that the medical reasons were legitimate does not mean that the US Army has to take the recommendation. The contract, according to the DA Form, is very vague as to what "disenrolled" from the program means -- you could "disenroll" for medical purposes while still in the Army. </p>
<p>She also may want to try and contact the USACC IG, if in fact this is a case of organizational mishap. Depending on what region she's at, the IG differs:</p>
<p>Both Western Region and Eastern Region IGs are listed there, but unless she has access to a DSN line, she may have write/email them. </p>
<p>Has she tried contacting Region personnel? Depending which side of the country she's in, Region personnel differs:</p>
<p>Eastern Region: <a href="http://www.usaac.army.mil/cc/east/%5B/url%5D">http://www.usaac.army.mil/cc/east/</a>
Region Commander: COL Frusha</p>
<p>Western Region: <a href="http://www.usaac.army.mil/accw/%5B/url%5D">http://www.usaac.army.mil/accw/</a>
Region Commander: COL Corbett</p>
<p>So, I'm curious, what's happened to your friend? Please update!</p>
<p>Dear tlaktan: Thank you for the info. I have forwarded it on to her. You are correct in stating that the recommendation of a board does not have to be followed by command. In fact, she has had two boards of inquiry and both found her not at fault and recommanded she not be required to pay the financial costs of her 3 years of education. But, the problem as it has been described to her - even the officer sitting at the head of ROTC command (in Washington -you can tell I am not military?) really does not make the final decision but passes the decision on to his bank/group of military lawers and they in essence make the final decision. So, even a change in command does not seem to change the decision making machine. Thank you for the info and ideas - she is following up on all leads. We all appreciate the internet folks who are helping.</p>
<p>P.S. She was in TN at the time of her education - so that means the Eastern side of the US. I have found another former student (from internet) from TN who is being/has been sent a $60,000 bill after being disenrolled for medical reasons from ROTC and he is also from TN. Is there something wrong/different/difficult with TN?</p>
<p>She should really try to contact Brigade/Region staff. They will be able to assist her and point her in the right direction as to how to have the bill removed.</p>
<p>Seems like this is the one rare case some ROTC knowledge actually helps. =)</p>
<p>P.S. Like I said, the only one who really can put his foot in and say, "Let her go" is the Secretary of the Army, per the contract. Otherwise, the situation as explained to her may be correct.</p>
<p>And the head office of USACC is in Fort Monroe, VA. Closeby to DC, I guess. =)</p>
<p>To bring a happy end to this event: Following advice from so many, a letter writing campaign was undertaken this fall with letters going to senators, congressmen, state officials, etc. It was amazing. What could not be accomplished through the Army in three years, miraculously happened in a matter of months. My friend recieved written confirmation that the case was being dropped and that she would owe nothing. Thank you to so many unknown people on the internet who helped.</p>
<p>What great news! Just as another bit of information, most often when ROTC cadets are disenrolled for medical reasons this does not happen. Our son is an Air Force ROTC cadet, and there are seniors in his squadron who have lost their contracts for medical reasons with no repercussions. I think the difference with your friend's situation is that she had the medical problem for some time, so maybe it was perceived that she was hiding it (though she clearly wasn't). </p>
<p>I just wanted anyone considering applying for ROTC scholarships to know that your friend's case was not the normal way that ROTC handles medical disqualifications.</p>
<p>I believe you are right in that most cadets do not have this type of problem and they are treated fairly from the beginning. The lesson to be learned here by young people - often venturing out on their own for the first time - is document, document, document. Like you stated, because her medical problem began in her sophomore year and she reported it to her command and they let her continue - it was perceived by upper command in a manner that she was trying to get away with something. Had she not documented in writing all that went on during her sophomore year - she would probably now be responsible for $37,000 in debt. Thank goodness she kept a paper trail - even though the Army did not listen for three years - others in authority listened and it was finally resolved. As a friend who was trying to help out, I again want to thank all on the internet who wrote to guide and give advice.</p>
<p>I was wondering who your friend contacted to get the charges dropped. I have a situation with ROTC that I would like to resolve. I have already taken down the recommendations mention by others above and will pursue those methods also. Your help is appreciated.</p>