DD Form 785

November 14, 2026

A DD Form 785, available for download at this link, is the form that is issued after an ROTC Disenrollment is complete. Attorney Barry, an experienced Military Lawyer, explains in depth at this link.

Prior to a DD Form 785 being issued, a Cadet must be afforded due process - each service has different procedures:

Army

Army ROTC Cadets, for the most part, cannot be disenrolled without affording them the chance to appear before an ROTC Disenrollment Board. A Disenrollment Board is essentially a proceeding where a Cadet can present evidence and witnesses to a neutral board consisting of one of three members. Furthermore, Cadets are afforded two appeals, if necessary. Attorney Barry explains this process, in depth, at this link.

Navy/Marines

Naval/Marine ROTC Cadets, for the most part, cannot be disenrolled without affording them the chance to appear before a Performance Review Board (PRB). A PRB is a thorough proceeding which involves the presentation of evidence and witnesses to a neutral board. Furthermore, Midshipman are afforded two appeals/rebuttals, if necessary. Attorney Barry explains the process, in depth, at this link.

Air Force

Air Force Cadets, for the most part, cannot be disenrolled without affording them the chance to appear before an investigating officer. At this "personal appearance," Cadets can call witnesses and present evidence. Cadets are allowed to submit one rebuttal and an appeal, but both are very limited. Attorney Barry explains the process, in depth, at this link.

DD Form 785

After the completion of the disenrollment process, a DD Form 785 is completed. The DD Form 785 itself is fairly simple. The two most consequential sections of the form are sections III and IV. Section III gives the completing authority (usually PMS/PNS/Det CC) the space to write the "reasons and circumstances for disenrollment." This section can be very vague or very detailed and it varies depending on the individual completing it.

Section IV of the form allows the completing authority to make one of the following elections regarding the former Cadet's "future for determining acceptability for other officer training:"

1 - Highly Recommend
2 - Recommend as an Average Candidate
3 - Should not be considering without weighing the needs of the service against the reasons for this disenrollment
4 - Recommend if physical defects are corrected or if such defects are not disqualifying for other programs
5 - Definitely not recommended

After completion, the DD Form 785 should be filed in the former Cadet's Official Military Record and therefore accessible to future recruiters. However, Attorney Barry has often noticed that this step is ignored and, often times, a former Cadet even with a bad box check in Section IV can enlist with no issues.

Legal Representation

Any Cadet who facing disenrollment should immediately consult an experienced Military Lawyer. Through the disenrollment process, Cadets can either advocate to be retained or to receive a good recommendation on their DD Form 785 for future enlistment. JAGs are not available to assist and most civilian lawyers, even former JAGs, have very little experience in this unique field. A civilian Military Lawyer with ROTC Disenrollment experience can be retained, which allows an accused to be represented by a proven lawyer with good former client reviews.

This Article was written by Attorney Matthew Barry. Attorney Barry is highly rated by former clients and has a proven track record of success. He has extensive experience with ROTC Disenrollment Actions and the DD Form 785 and its' effects.

The Law Office of Matthew Barry represents Cadets worldwide. He has offices on the East Coast, West Coast, and in the Central U.S.