College Student May Owe ROTC $80,000

[Pima]

I am curious regarding one thing.

Does she intend to fight paying back the 80K? I may have missed this in the article, but I don't recall her stating she is going to fight the reimbursement.
I thought this was about her moral character coming out and being billed.

Maybe, she is fine with being released and repaying the 80K. Maybe this was her fall on a sword moment and is willing to accept the consequences. If she is fine with being released and paying back the 80K the thread is moot, EXCEPT if people believe she knew she was homosexual when accepting the scholarship and she did this intentionally to make an issue regarding DADT. If she intentionally accepted a scholarship knowing she would announce she was homosexual to highlight the DADT, then I say GOOD RIDDANCE! I say that because she is a selfish person. She had no intention of serving and took a spot for another ROTC cadet. That is pure unbridled selfishness, be darned that the military could have spent that money for another soldier, she had a point to be made at whatever the cost was.

Not saying that was her intention. I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I think we should wait and see her response if she is required to repay the scholarship. Her words will prove what her true motivation was regarding DADT.

 

[hornetguy]

I agree with others who believe the timing is suspicious because everyone knows that the policy is being currently reviewed, and the majority of people believe it will be overturned so homosexuals will serve openly. Most believe it will be done in a yr or so. However, because of her scholarship committment if it was overturned even in October, she would have 5 yrs to serve. So why didn't she wait it out? Could it be she never wanted to serve at all?

Not so anymore:
http://www.palmcenter.org/press/dad...on_defers_“don’t_ask_don’t_tell”_repeal_two_years

 

[raimius]

Interesting. Sounds like some people in the White House feel this may be a big political fight. The President can spend ALL of his political capital during his 2nd term, but must keep his popularity up during the 1st term.

Sounds like a very politically motivated decision. Probably smart for the President, if he feels it wil be a knock-down fight.

 

[Emsa]

She should have heeded the advice of her chain of command. She KNEW the consequences. I fully understand that some people are not fully aware of their sexuality until they are more mature. But she was informed of the Army policy.
She could have carried on her relationship and waited to see if someone exposed her to the Army.
Once she sent the memorandum - she sealed her fate, IMO. This is a prescedent that should not be set. She wanted her 15 minutes of fame she got it. with an $80,000 bill.

BTW - What would you say to a 20 year old ROTC scholarship cadet or third year Academy Cadet who suddenly realizes that deep down he/she is a Conscientious Objector? Most people don't have these feelings when they are young but develop them as they mature.

About money spent training - the Army did indeed spend $$$$ training her. She will only be required to pay back her college tuition. The training $$$$ are gone.

Good grief who are you and what have you done with JAM.

You are honestly telling me that even though you fully recognise that it is often the case that a person would not become aware of their sexuality until around this age you still think it would have been the more morally correct thing to do to lie about her realationship, start her military career, spend bunch more of the army's money going to medical school and then just wait and see if someone was going to catch her out and destroy her career, seriously????

And I dont beleive for one moment you cant see the difference between this case and a Conscientious Objector. A CO chooses to try and get out of the military, the military chooses to get rid of gay and lesbian servicemen and women...even some of those who chose to come out knowing the consequences are fighting to overturn DADT so that they can continue to serve, comparing them to COs is just plain insulting...

 

[LineInTheSand]

the military chooses to get rid of gay and lesbian servicemen and women

Negative ghost rider. The military enforces a policy, as determined by Congress, and created by the Clinton Administration.

Don't Ask Don't Tell was nothing revolutionary for this individual. It's been around for well over a decade. It does not "out" a homosexual service member. It does not require them to lie. It does create an interesting, often unclear gray area, but this females understood what the policy was.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

Good grief who are you and what have you done with JAM.
I know, seriously!!

You are honestly telling me that even though you fully recognise that it is often the case that a person would not become aware of their sexuality until around this age you still think it would have been the more morally correct thing to do to lie about her realationship, start her military career, spend bunch more of the army's money going to medical school and then just wait and see if someone was going to catch her out and destroy her career, seriously????
Nope, not at all. She accepted the scholarship with full knowledge of the "terms and limitations". when faced with those, she did not follow the advice of her chain of command - who according to the article was compassionate in delivering the advice.
She could have chosen to NOT send the memo and continue her life in the Army. Her commitment was 4 years.
If she had been "outed" during that time and the Army chose to discharge her, I would support her not owing the money.
Furthermore, the timing of this is suspicious. When did she fall in love? 10 minutes before she sent the letter? Probably not.

And I dont beleive for one moment you cant see the difference between this case and a Conscientious Objector. A CO chooses to try and get out of the military, the military chooses to get rid of gay and lesbian servicemen and women...even some of those who chose to come out knowing the consequences are fighting to overturn DADT so that they can continue to serve, comparing them to COs is just plain insulting...
By sending the memo she "chose" to get out of the Army. Same idea different tactic.
She threw down the gaunlet and has given the Army no choice but to dismiss her. I am all for protesting, making a point etc. But when you are on the cusp of commissioning as a 2LT this is NOT the time to throw down the gaunlet against the US Military. You are expendable and they should not waste another dime or second on you.

The DOD has asked for an "extention" before DADT is overturned. Gates asked for this a few weeks ago to give the military time to finish surveys and develop plans for the repeal. This is a major change, one that needs to be thought out carefully from many angles. Doubtful it will happen this year.

 

[Maximus]

Good grief who are you and what have you done with JAM.

You are honestly telling me that even though you fully recognise that it is often the case that a person would not become aware of their sexuality until around this age you still think it would have been the more morally correct thing to do to lie about her realationship, start her military career, spend bunch more of the army's money going to medical school and then just wait and see if someone was going to catch her out and destroy her career, seriously????

And I dont beleive for one moment you cant see the difference between this case and a Conscientious Objector. A CO chooses to try and get out of the military, the military chooses to get rid of gay and lesbian servicemen and women...even some of those who chose to come out knowing the consequences are fighting to overturn DADT so that they can continue to serve, comparing them to COs is just plain insulting...

This person is possibly trying to get out of a commitment, ever think of that?

The policy is crystal clear and to claim someone didn't understand the clear language of DADT is laughable. I'm sure she'll get out of both the commitment, and money obligations with the current sentiment out there

The skids are greased and the track down the slippery slope is open for a fast ride lol This latest 'new' battle Obama is staging, should be the turning point for the pendulum.