Students in Washington, D.C. who are members in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) are members of an elite group who receive the benefits of financial aid and college scholarships in exchange for future military service. Students who fail to follow the rules and regulations associated with their program often face harsh sanctions, including the possibility of disenrollment from the program. These sanctions an affect a student for the rest of their lives.
If you are a Washington, D.C. ROTC student who faces disciplinary actions, experienced Title IX defense attorney Joseph D. Lento is here to defend your case and protect your rights.
ROTC Title IX Advisor in Washington, D.C.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento has successfully handled hundreds of ROTC defense cases involving allegations of regulatory violation or Title IX violation cases at major colleges and universities nationwide. He is a driven and dedicated advocate for ROTC students facing Title IX and other charges.
Your rights deserve to be protected by an attorney highly experienced in fighting Title IX and other ROTC specific allegations. If you're facing sanctions or disenrollment from your ROTC program or need to appeal a Title IX ruling, call our office at 888.535.3686 to speak to an experienced ROTC lawyer about your case today.
ROTC Students in Washington, D.C.: Issues They Face
The ROTC program involves entering into a written contract that outlines the educational requirements to be completed and a defined active duty commitment. Students who fail to complete the educational program are subject to active-duty service. Those who fail to satisfy the active-duty requirement or other provisions are subject to “repayment provisions.” These reimbursements may apply to tuition, supplies, stipends, and more. This can be a massive cost to a student, especially when the alleged cause of the disenrollment is false.
ROTC Disenrollment
Title IX violations generally will breach a military contract and lead to potential ROTC disenrollment. Each branch of the military has written procedures outlining their process of disenrollment. A disenrollment will result in a loss of eligibility for becoming a commissioned officer. Your attorney will also be critically important in these matters by aiding your defense and protecting your rights.
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Military Branch |
ROTC Disenrollment Provisions |
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Army |
Regulation 145-1 |
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Navy |
Training Command Instruction 1533.2A |
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Air Force |
ROTC Instruction 36-2011 |
What Is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Title IX applies to any educational “program or activity” that receives federal funding, including ROTC programs. It applies to elementary and secondary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities, and to federally-funded educational programs run by other institutions or businesses.
Title IX's definition of sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual violence such as:
- sexual coercion,
- sexual battery,
- sexual assault, and
- rape.
Any school that doesn't follow Title IX policies risks losing its government funding. As a result, ROTC programs are required to follow the rules set forth in Title IX through the school or university they call home. Title IX violations are often the main cause for potential disenrollment in ROTC.
In Title IX cases, the accuser is known as the complainant and the student accused of misconduct is known as the respondent.
ROTC Students Accused of Title IX Violations
For Washington, D.C. ROTC students accused of Title IX violations, the stakes are even higher than that of typical university students. For ROTC students who are facing a Title IX case and their families, it is critical to take the necessary precautions as soon as possible, including having an experienced attorney advisor, when accused of sexual misconduct. Unfortunately, some students, not being as familiar what is at stake and also their rights in the process, will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," everything will work out.
It is possible to win a Title IX case, or even appeal a case that has resulted in a negative finding against you, but it is always best to start with a strong defense as early as possible in the proceedings. With a highly experienced attorney at your side, you can defend your right to stay in your ROTC program and protect your bright future.
Title IX Process
When allegations of violating Title IX are reported, the allegations are promptly investigated by designated administrators such as a Title IX compliance officer. The parties will likely be summoned to a hearing. Schools generally allow parties to choose an advisor that will support and accompany them. Having a seasoned defense attorney function in this capacity is critical.
Your attorney will independently review all evidence and prepare you to make statements and effectively respond to questioning. Your attorney may also participate in discussions with campus administrators regarding amicable resolutions, rather than the possibly harsh consequences that are possible.
Possible Consequences of Your ROTC Title IX Hearing
The possible results of a negative finding against you in a Title IX hearing can range from mild to very severe. You should not assume everything will be just fine, as the possible sanctions against you can be quite severe. ROTC students in particular face increased potential penalties as the result of a negative finding.
Possible consequences all students face due to negative Title IX hearing findings include:
- Your personal reputation could be impacted negatively.
- You could be sanctioned, suspended, or expelled from your high school, college, or university.
- The allegations in the complaint could result in further criminal or civil charges off-campus that could result in fines, jail time, or even registering as a sex offender.
- Title IX allegations and rulings can become a part of your permanent disciplinary record. This could hurt your chances with graduate schools, jobs, and professional licensing boards who look into your records.
For ROTC student, additional sanctions could be a major issue, including:
- disenrollment from your ROTC program
- a negative finding on your permanent record
- active duty requirements
- loss of ability to become a commissioned officer
- forced repayment of educational expenses and other tuition-related payments made as part of your ROTC membership
Contact a Washington, D.C. ROTC Defense Title IX Advisor
Students in an ROTC program have made a dedicated choice to serve their country through military service, and as such, deserve the best protection possible when accused of committing some offense.
If you or your ROTC student needs to defend against a charge of misconduct or appeal a finding of responsibility in Washington, D.C., contact national Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
