NROTC Scholarship LOA

To be clear, I am not talking about him speaking with his university assigned academic adviser. I am talking about the Navy LT that he should be meeting with 2x (minimum by regulation) per semester. And given his current status, it should likely be more often.

That LT is absolutely allowed to talk about Navy career advice - which is what your son is seeking (his talk of enlisting in the Navy, correct?). From the Regulations for Officer Development (para 3-4):

The NROTC instructor shall use these counseling sessions and other situations to accomplish the following officer adviser responsibilities: (7) Provide information on Naval Service career options and service assignment procedures.

I am copying and pasting this into a text to him right now. This is the problem I feel I have in communicating with him: he’s 19 and on a rigorous schedule and I’m being the nagging mom trying to make sure his young brain understands the brevity of his situation and the responsibility he has as an acting adult so I definitely appreciate the straight talk I’m getting here. His father hasn’t even spoken to him because he’s upset with him, knows he can do better. So thank you very much for your timely responses. I will get this advice to him.
 
Good Day my DS (at VMI) on NROTC scholarship was put on interim LOA by the Navy due to missing paperwork not turned in on time and he needs to present to a PBR. His GPA is there as well as his PFT scores and no demerits etc. He was confined to post hospital then hotel room for weeks for testing positive for COVID and says they didn't sent it for him. Does this mean he is no longer is receiving any benefits from NROTC scholarship? I am not sure how this all works and if I need to have him call Fin Aid. He already has the second semester paid so I don't know what paperwork they could be asking for that would cause this.
 
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Good Day my DS (at VMI) was put on temporary NRTOC LOA due to missing paperwork not turned in on time and he needs to present to a PBR. His GPA is there as well as his PFT scores and no demerits etc. He was confined to a hotel room for weeks for testing positive for COVID. Does this mean he no longer is receiving any benefits of his NROTC? I am not sure how this all works and if I need to have him call Fin Aid.
Sounds like a tough situation. Has you DS talked with his Cadre regarding his current status? Since this is a specific, individual case, they would be the only ones that can advise him on these issues. Was his 1st semester tuition paid? Also, what year is he? It is hard to imagine that he did not receive multiple communications regarding the missing deliverables.
Hopefully he gets through the PBR and gets back on track. This is a valuable and possibly expensive lesson on managing deliverables and contract (NROTC) requirements.
 
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Sounds like a tough situation. Has you DS talked with his Cadre regarding his current status? Since this is a specific, individual case, they would be the only ones that can advise him on these issues. Was his 1st semester tuition paid? Also, what year is he? It is hard to imagine that he did not receive multiple communications regarding the missing deliverables.
Hopefully he gets through the PBR and gets back on track. This is a valuable and possibly expensive lesson on managing deliverables and contract (NROTC) requirements.
I would agree, he is a 4/C. His 1st and 2nd semesters are all paid for. He is very on point so I too would imagine he would not ignore multiple communications. Unless they were using his older email when he applied. Do you happen to know what stops as a result of LOA?
 
Found this using Google. I have no idea if this is relevant to your son's issue. Something doesn't add up. Usually a LOA would be issued after a PBR. Either way - if he in fact goes on an official LOA - I think his benefits are suspended.

Leave of Absence (LOA) – Academic/Aptitude/Medical A Leave of Absence may be recommended for any of the reasons listed above, as well as for medical problems (while awaiting further evaluation), or if the student requires more time to graduate. During LOA, all benefits are suspended, including tuition and stipends; your student will be required to cover all of his or her own expenses. The midshipman will be notified in writing of the required actions to complete in order to be returned to good standing. Under normal circumstances continued participation in the NROTC program will be one condition of the LOA. Your student may request a Personal LOA for personal reasons or to pursue graduate education. Your student then voluntarily elects to cover his or her own expenses for the term(s) that he or she is not participating in the NROTC program. A student may be placed on Medical LOA, following pregnancy, illness, injury, or elective surgery pending further medical evaluation. Your student should keep copies of all records and doctor assessments. Provided that your student heals quickly, and the Naval Bureau of Medicine concurs that your student is physically qualified for commissioning, all benefits – including tuition and stipends – are reimbursable. If, for some reason, your student is not commissionable following his or her injury or illness, a determination will be made by the Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) regarding disenrollment and recoupment.
 
Found this using Google. I have no idea if this is relevant to your son's issue. Something doesn't add up. Usually a LOA would be issued after a PBR. Either way - if he in fact goes on an official LOA - I think his benefits are suspended.

Leave of Absence (LOA) – Academic/Aptitude/Medical A Leave of Absence may be recommended for any of the reasons listed above, as well as for medical problems (while awaiting further evaluation), or if the student requires more time to graduate. During LOA, all benefits are suspended, including tuition and stipends; your student will be required to cover all of his or her own expenses. The midshipman will be notified in writing of the required actions to complete in order to be returned to good standing. Under normal circumstances continued participation in the NROTC program will be one condition of the LOA. Your student may request a Personal LOA for personal reasons or to pursue graduate education. Your student then voluntarily elects to cover his or her own expenses for the term(s) that he or she is not participating in the NROTC program. A student may be placed on Medical LOA, following pregnancy, illness, injury, or elective surgery pending further medical evaluation. Your student should keep copies of all records and doctor assessments. Provided that your student heals quickly, and the Naval Bureau of Medicine concurs that your student is physically qualified for commissioning, all benefits – including tuition and stipends – are reimbursable. If, for some reason, your student is not commissionable following his or her injury or illness, a determination will be made by the Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) regarding disenrollment and recoupment.
Thank you so much for the prompt replies. He is going to call me this evening on the details. And to the mom who started this article momnverquits, if your son is still at VMI NROTC Im sure my DS knows him and is always willing to help others.
 
As a college teacher, he has time this Spring term to go from a 2.4 GPA to a 2.5. It might mean buckling down and not going to weeknight parties or approaching each teacher to ask for time to go over assignments (and ask about Extra Credit) or getting involved in group study. I'm sure a school like his has a student center with tutors who could go over his work. I'd recommend too that you talk with him about how his grades got so low - is he starting projects too late, missing assignment notices, not reading assignments thoroughly, etc. The last item is important because not all teachers write clearly or write with students in mind and as a result, their assignment descriptions can require reading it 2 or 3 times to catch everything (I've had to redo mine).
In sum, I'd shoot for ending the term with solid As and Bs. Good luck, I know it's stressful for a parent.
 
The following is taken from the Navy Regulations on Officer Development (ROD): https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/ROD_and_Appendices/

(Page 6-8)

LOA. LOA is an administrative tool which suspends NROTC benefits. Performance-related LOAs
are discussed below. Other types of LOAs are discussed in Section 4-28. When considering
circumstances for which this manual directs an LOA, the PRB must verify said circumstances before
recommending LOA. The decision to place a student on LOA is at the PNS discretion and, unless an
exception is provided below, requires a PRB. The PNS shall issue a letter notifying any student placed on
LOA and shall be acknowledged by the student with date and signature. The letter shall state precisely
the nature of the concern, identify remedial actions required of the student, and warn that failure to correct
the deficiencies or identification of further deficiencies may result in disenrollment.


a. Interim LOA. The PNS may assign interim LOA pending further investigation.
(1) A PRB should be held as soon as possible after assigning an interim LOA. Situations where
this may be appropriate include, but are not limited to, a midshipman failing to meet program
requirements by the end of their freshman year or a student charged with a crime by civil authorities that
is a major offense as defined in 3-19. If the board recommends an LOA, and the PNS concurs, the
interim status will transition to a regular LOA.

(2) A PRB is not required for interim LOAs issued for any midshipman who is being investigated,
charged with, or is pending prosecution for any infraction which might lead to disenrollment on
disciplinary grounds. Place the student on interim LOA until the matter is fully resolved and consult
NSTC N93 and NSTC Staff Judge Advocate (SJA). Ensure associated OPMIS entries are made.


The ROD has more info on LOAs, what the effect is, the reasons a midshipman could be placed on one, etc. It also details the PRB process.

The part I bolded applies to after being placed on LOA, but I he should have been given something in writing notifying him of the LOA detailing the exact reasons for the LOA. I'm not sure what you meant by "His GPA is there as well as his PFT scores". Are his GPA and PFT scores below requirements as well? As far as his email address, has he received other communication from the unit? By this point he shoul dhave had regular contact via email with his unit on a variety of subjects. There are a number of possible results from a PRB from a warning, to probation, to LOA and finally disenrollment. These can be found in the ROD as well. Make sure your DS gets all the information he needs to understand the allegations against him and what he needs to do to correct the situation.
 
The following is taken from the Navy Regulations on Officer Development (ROD): https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/ROD_and_Appendices/

(Page 6-8)

LOA. LOA is an administrative tool which suspends NROTC benefits. Performance-related LOAs
are discussed below. Other types of LOAs are discussed in Section 4-28. When considering
circumstances for which this manual directs an LOA, the PRB must verify said circumstances before
recommending LOA. The decision to place a student on LOA is at the PNS discretion and, unless an
exception is provided below, requires a PRB. The PNS shall issue a letter notifying any student placed on
LOA and shall be acknowledged by the student with date and signature. The letter shall state precisely
the nature of the concern, identify remedial actions required of the student, and warn that failure to correct
the deficiencies or identification of further deficiencies may result in disenrollment.


a. Interim LOA. The PNS may assign interim LOA pending further investigation.
(1) A PRB should be held as soon as possible after assigning an interim LOA. Situations where
this may be appropriate include, but are not limited to, a midshipman failing to meet program
requirements by the end of their freshman year or a student charged with a crime by civil authorities that
is a major offense as defined in 3-19. If the board recommends an LOA, and the PNS concurs, the
interim status will transition to a regular LOA.

(2) A PRB is not required for interim LOAs issued for any midshipman who is being investigated,
charged with, or is pending prosecution for any infraction which might lead to disenrollment on
disciplinary grounds. Place the student on interim LOA until the matter is fully resolved and consult
NSTC N93 and NSTC Staff Judge Advocate (SJA). Ensure associated OPMIS entries are made.


The ROD has more info on LOAs, what the effect is, the reasons a midshipman could be placed on one, etc. It also details the PRB process.

The part I bolded applies to after being placed on LOA, but I he should have been given something in writing notifying him of the LOA detailing the exact reasons for the LOA. I'm not sure what you meant by "His GPA is there as well as his PFT scores". Are his GPA and PFT scores below requirements as well? As far as his email address, has he received other communication from the unit? By this point he shoul dhave had regular contact via email with his unit on a variety of subjects. There are a number of possible results from a PRB from a warning, to probation, to LOA and finally disenrollment. These can be found in the ROD as well. Make sure your DS gets all the information he needs to understand the allegations against him and what he needs to do to correct the situation


Thank you for this detail. I should have clarified, he has a consistent 3.7 GPA and high PFT score which is why I asked the original posting mother if she wanted him to help her DS. He was helping his brother rat roommate who just could not endure the rat line and dropped. I received a further update; DS tested positive for COVID last month which the Navy is taking very seriously. They required paperwork as to his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. He was emailed what he needed to submit. He sent this request to the post hospital who maintains those records. He was told by one nurse they were submitted however he obtained no evidence to this effect. The paperwork was never submitted. The PNS stated if they did not have the paperwork by the end of this week he would be put on interim LOA until paperwork is received. He spoke to the post physician today; doctor is making copies of the paperwork which DS will pick up and hand deliver to his NRTOC commander at the school campus which should solve this issue. As a footnote my MID was told the Navy cannot force COVID vaccinations however if you refuse them you can not attend summer cruises. I hope others find this post add useful esp the detail just provided above
Thank for this
 
Sounds like the prospect of an interim LOA was held out as a means to impress the importance of getting this taken care of. A good lesson on follow-through and verifying things are done. Glad it is all working out.
 
Good afternoon, all. My youngest son is a NROTC scholarship MIDN (ME major) at VMI going into his 2/C year. This past year we lost his oldest brother in a tragic accident, and it hit my youngest son pretty hard. He struggled this year with the loss, and while he's in a better place now, he failed 2 classes this past semester. He was on probation his Spring semester of his 4/C year, got his grades back up and came off in Fall semester his 3/C year. We lost me son Spring semester, his grades dropped, resulting in the PRB. During the PRB, he shared his plan for amelioration (take both classes this summer to get back on degree completion), and made the decision to step down from his spot on the NCAA Soccer team, and shared his lessons learned with the Board. Long and short, they said " yeah, sucks about your brother and all, but we don't much care about your plan or what you've learned in this process...we're recommending LOA and disenrollment." So my questions:
- Shouldn't he go on LOA first, and if he brings his grades up, he gets re-instated?
- Is there a chance that the CO will disagree with the board given the intense personal hardship? Or is this just wishful thinking?
- How likely is a waiver of reimbursement or AES, again given the intense personal hardship?
- If no waiver is given, is it possible to be allowed to finish college before being forced into AES?

Thanks in advance.
 
Good afternoon, all. My youngest son is a NROTC scholarship MIDN (ME major) at VMI going into his 2/C year. This past year we lost his oldest brother in a tragic accident, and it hit my youngest son pretty hard. He struggled this year with the loss, and while he's in a better place now, he failed 2 classes this past semester. He was on probation his Spring semester of his 4/C year, got his grades back up and came off in Fall semester his 3/C year. We lost me son Spring semester, his grades dropped, resulting in the PRB. During the PRB, he shared his plan for amelioration (take both classes this summer to get back on degree completion), and made the decision to step down from his spot on the NCAA Soccer team, and shared his lessons learned with the Board. Long and short, they said " yeah, sucks about your brother and all, but we don't much care about your plan or what you've learned in this process...we're recommending LOA and disenrollment." So my questions:
- Shouldn't he go on LOA first, and if he brings his grades up, he gets re-instated?
- Is there a chance that the CO will disagree with the board given the intense personal hardship? Or is this just wishful thinking?
- How likely is a waiver of reimbursement or AES, again given the intense personal hardship?
- If no waiver is given, is it possible to be allowed to finish college before being forced into AES?

Thanks in advance.
I am so, so sorry for your loss and the impact on your family. I have no actionable advice to offer but wanted to express my deepest sympathy. Empathy too, for the same reason.
 
I am so, so sorry for your loss and the impact on your family. I have no actionable advice to offer but wanted to express my deepest sympathy. Empathy too, for the same reason.
Thanks much. It's been a tough road, and this certainly isn't helping, but we're taking it day by day. Cheers.
 
@Pappy_VanRankle First, condolences to you and your family on the loss of one of your sons in that recent tragic event. I can’t imagine even being able to think straight or even tie my shoes for months after such a terrible loss. I’m sure you’re all in a fog- sincerely just sorry for your loss.

I don’t know your 2/c’s options so read-on from this point only if you want general advice from a caring fellow parent who is a non-expert in LOA/PRB process and who isn’t in-fact directly answering your stated questions.

Did your NROTC rising 2/C student have legal counsel guidance to help prepare for the PRB, identify any procedural gaps in what is being done by NROTC that may help you, and to help prepare the narrative of his responses/ statements to ensure the best possible outcome?

recommend:

  1. Your rising 2/c should read his rulebook and explain to you in full detail what his options are about next steps. He and you need to know - exactly what can he still do.
  2. Find out what the next steps are including if there are options to appeal? Find out the specific answers to these important questions. After confirming your options on if there is anything he can still do very quickly - like before the end of this weekend, then recommend he meet with specialized counsel *if that would help - if you search /google “fighting NROTC and ROTC Disenrollment”, you’ll see some law firms which state they specialize in such cases. Request an initial meeting with counsel to see if they can help you if you can afford that.
  3. if you still have options, Document, document, document everything you can remember about the PRB, conversations about his status in recent months, get copies of all letters/ emails, texts and save them.- dates, by whom, etc. and help you know what and who to ask to confirm your options.
  4. Regardless of his military future, he needs to get any help he needs to address the intense loss of his brother, and needs to process that. Keep tuned - what does he need?
Can he continue with his NROTC career if high summer grades at VMI directly replace the 2 failing grades? What would the new GPA be? Can he finish his college degree before being forced to serve? Does he have to pay back all moneys since he stayed active on Day 1 of his 3/C year? Will he be asked to serve at all? He and you need answers to these questions you’re asking.

maybe a fall semester of just being a student and not on the soccer team and not in nrotc where your son gets a 4.0 and gets back to basics to ensure his foundation is strong when he rejoins (if he can) is best. He faltered his freshman year and sophomore year with grades - regardless of the reasons. I would embrace the LOA window at a minimum for the fall semester and not rush back in - but I don’t know your son or what would be best for him

Outside of ROTC - I believe you used the future tense to describe his taking courses this summer to replace the ones he failed at last semester in his amelioration plan. If he takes the courses at his school, it may erase the GPA impact of two failing grades. If he takes them elsewhere it may not. Find out and put that plan in motion and have him help himself stay on-track to graduate / potentially commission and show, regardless of NROTC impact that he is back on his feet and moving forward. Session II starts June 28th - he needs to get that plan in place if you want https://www.vmi.edu/academics/summer-programs/summer-session/

No offense but yes glad he is not attempting Soccer during this crisis - rebuild, move forward, and do his best to put the disconnect in the rear view mirror - who gives a “rat”s arse about Soccer prowess right now (VMI pun intended). Laser in on key, not all objectives.

Good luck, sorry for your loss, hope that helps. Please keep the board posted for what you find so others may learn too from what you find. Hopefully others can add additional specific answers to your questions.
 
Thanks, Herman. Truly appreciate it. Good info, and a lot to unpack. Kind of shocked at the poor leadership and concern for sailors displayed by the PRB members (not how we did it in the Army anyway), but our primary concern right now is that this same command not force him out of college and into the fleet as an enlisted sailor when he has a plan to still graduate in time. After completion of these 2 courses this Summer, his GPA would be ~2.65. It's entirely doable, I'm just shocked that they would go straight disenrollment on his first PRB with no effort to work with him. Thanks again, I really appreciate the insights.
 
I echo the sentiments of @Capt MJ and @Herman_Snerd. Very sorry for your loss.

1. I refer you to Regulations for Officer Development Appendix B, General Guidelines for Performance Deficiencies.

Generally, academic deficiencies follow warning, probation, LOA, disenrollment. But there are caveats. For instance, Probation is more appropriate as a first step if the first academic deficiency was more than 0.25 below standard (2.50 GPA). You mention above that with the completion of the proposed summer course, his GPA would be ~2.65. Does that mean his current cumulative GPA is below 2.5? If so, note Line 6 that cumulative less than standards with greater than 3 semesters completed indicates that disenrollment is the most appropriate action.

2. I'm also confused by the "...we're recommending LOA and disenrollment." Doesn't work thay way. The PRB can consider all the disciplinary options, but only recommend one option to the CO. Makes no sense to put a mid on LOA and process for disenrollment at the same time. He should confirm with his class adviser what the recommendation language specifically states in the PRB package that will move to the CO's desk for review and consideration. And before the PRB package goes to the CO, your son has an opportunity (5 business days from when PRB Senior Member signed the package) to review the package and write a letter to the CO (para 6-13 of the ROD). He should take advantage of this opportunity. And yes, the CO can disagree with the recommendation of the PRB and choose a different option.

3. In the unfortunate event of disenrollment, you may certainly ask for a waiver of financial recoupment based on the circumstances of your son's situation. Since that decisions resides at Navy HQ, I can't guess on the likelihood of that being approved.

4. Involuntary AES is very unlikely. Requests to defer recoupment (financial or otherwise) are generally granted until the individual completes their undergraduate degree.

5. If your son is put on LOA vice disenrolled, that just means scholarship benefits are removed for the following semester. Your son is still expected to participate in all unit operations. I think the term is a bit misleading. A mid on LOA is not absent from anything.
 
Thanks, GD. This is very helpful. Per your question "You mention above that with the completion of the proposed summer course, his GPA would be ~2.65. Does that mean his current cumulative GPA is below 2.5?" Yes. His current cum GPA is 2.3. However, he feels confident he can achieve A's as his really bad grades were early in the semester when he was most struggling with the freshness of his brother's passing. By the end of the semester, he had gained much better understanding, but the damage was done and the grade was unrecoverable. IN all candor, he feels completely abandoned by his command staff, but he is still focused on commissioning (if they'll let him). His hope, and what he conveyed to the PRB has been an LOA in which time he will reestablish grade standard. He'll even accept disenrollment if the Navy says "we don't want you." His biggest concern has been the prospect of not being allowed to finish college at VMI. Glad to hear that's in the "unlikely" category.
 
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