Citing recent reports about sexual misconduct by Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps instructors against cadets, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and six other members of Congress are calling for a comprehensive review of federal agencies and military services that the program.
The lawmakers made the request in a letter to U.S. comptroller general Gene Dodaro dated May 2.
“The overwhelming majority of JROTC instructors are honorable and trustworthy; they have served their nation with distinction — and continue to do so by teaching and mentoring our nation’s next generation of military officers,” they wrote. “However, any incident of sexual abuse or harassment is one too many and betrays the faith and trust that JROTC cadets and their families have placed in the U.S. military.”
Hirono was joined in the letter by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.; and Reps. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.; Robert Garcia, D-Calif.; Stephen Lynch, D-Mass; Sylvia Garcia, D-Tex.; and Chrissy Houlahan, D-Penn.
Last July, the New York Times reported that at least 33 JROTC instructors had been charged in criminal cases involving sexual misconduct.
Information released by the House Subcommittee on National Security also revealed that 60 allegations of sexual abuse, harassment,or other sexual misconduct were made against JROTC instructors and reported to DOD and the military services over a five-year period, between 2017 and 2022 — 58 of which were substantiated following a law enforcement or school investigation.
The Times further reported that many schools have made the program mandatory or otherwise steered 75% of students in a single grade into the program. The enrollments disproportionately affected students of color and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Department of Education confirmed later that there is no process to receive reports of sexual misconduct, and the DOD admitted that “there’s very little oversight” of these programs overall and no survey or public reporting on incidents of sexual assault.
“It is incumbent upon us as members of Congress to conduct oversight and, as appropriate, consider whether additional legislation may be needed to protect JROTC cadets from sexual abuse and harassment while ensuring that DOD and the military services conduct adequate oversight and maintain the integrity of JROTC,” the lawmakers wrote.
In their letter, Hirono and her colleagues requested that Government Accountability Office conduct an evaluation to review the extent to which DOD, the military and the Department of Education collect and maintain data on sexual assault or misconduct involving JROTC instructors; established policies to prevent and respond to allegations of sexual misconduct within JROTC; and established mechanisms or processes to ensure proper oversight of JROTC programs.
Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.
