Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: ROTC participants must sign nongay pact Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 15:30:30 EST Message-ID: \SE A;NATION \SS (WS) \HD ROTC participants must sign nongay pact \BY REUTERS NEWS AGENCY The Navy said yesterday it is now requiring officer candidate students at colleges to sign an affidavit saying they can be discharged and made to pay back scholarship money if they are later found to be homosexual. The Navy said the new "statement of understanding" for students in its Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) is to make sure they know the rule banning homosexuals from the military when they enter the scholarship program. Lt. Cate Mueller, a Navy spokeswoman, confirmed the new step in response to questions about a strong letter of complaint sent by Rep. Patricia Schroeder, Colorado Democrat, this week to Defense Secretary Dick Cheney. Mrs. Schroeder said she received complaints from students and homosexual rights groups against what she called "this inquisitorial affidavit" for ROTC students, who are awarded commissions as active-duty or reserve officers on graduation. The Army and Air Force have similar policies against allowing homosexual and lesbian students to attend the service military academies or take part in their ROTC programs. President-elect Bill Clinton has promised to end the military ban against homosexuals and lesbians after he takes office in January. But he has said he will consult closely with top U.S. military officers, who strongly oppose lifting the ban. "This is simply a statement of understanding advising students that they would not be eligible for a commission if they are homosexual . . . to establish a method to make sure that students understand what the military policy is on homosexuality," Lt. Mueller said. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM