Air Force ROTC Disenrollment

May 24, 2026

This article addresses the Air Force ROTC Disenrollment process, which is regulated by AFROTC Instruction 36-2011, available for download at this link.

There are two types of disenrollment: administrative release and a disenrollment investigation. An administrative release can be completed, without an investigation, for one of the following reasons:

Death of a cadet. The Det/CC must sign an MFR attesting to the death of the cadet;
Conditional release. Submit request once a conditional release has been granted and the cadet has enlisted into the other commissioning program;
Freshman Self–Initiated Elimination (FSIE). AS100 (except enlisted commissioning program cadets) may request FSIE prior to the start date of host institutional AFROTC classes of their AS200 (sophomore) year. The request must be submitted in writing to the Det/CC. The cadet must indicate whether they intend to continue attending AS classes during the current term. The detachment will then immediately counsel in writing and ensure the cadet understands that FSIE may preclude future entry into any commissioning program; and,
Medical Disqualification. AFRS/AMWD has medically disqualified for commissioning a cadet for reasons beyond the cadet’s control and knowledge. Immediately terminate stipend upon notification that a cadet is medically disqualified for commission. The effective date is the date of medical disqualification by AFRS/AMWD.

A disenrollment investigation must be convened for one of the following reasons:

Humanitarian consideration and personal hardship beyond the cadet’s control that is not temporary. Request for humanitarian release must be made in writing by the cadet and submitted to the Det/CC;
Failure to meet officer accession standards. For example, a cadet who fails to pass the AFOQT after the maximum number of authorized attempts. Disenrolled cadets who do not meet officer accession standards may still qualify to serve in their enlisted grade and be called to EAD;
Indifference to training occurs when a cadet displays an apathetic attitude toward training. Examples include, but are not limited to: Failure to meet uniform, grooming, or appearance standards, Failure to perform assigned tasks or corps duties, Receipt of a failing grade in LLAB, and/or Failure to meet AS class and/or LLAB attendance requirements;
Breach or anticipatory breach of the AFROTC contract occurs when a cadet fails to meet any terms of their contract or expresses a clear and convincing intention to breach the contract, but has not yet done so; or,
Failure To Maintain Military Retention Standards (FTMMRS) may disqualify a cadet from accession into officer and enlisted programs. The Detachment/CC may conduct an investigation for disenrollment based on FTMMRS at any time, even for an initial offense, depending on its severity. The investigation must include documentation of the cadet’s failure to maintain these standards and address whether or not the failure was within the cadet’s control. Examples may include, but are not limited to: Fraudulent Enlistment, Illegal Drugs Use, Failure to complete FT satisfactorily, Failure to compete with applicants for an enrollment allocation (EA), Ineptitude, to include failure to exercise the maturity and/or judgment expected of an officer candidate, or unacceptable adjustment to the military environment, and/or Demonstrating undesirable character traits

The Air Force ROTC Disenrollment process begins when the Det/CC appoints an investigating officer to investigate the potential disenrollment. The investigation is supposed to be neutral and non-adversarial. A Cadet will be given the opportunity to dispute the alleged failures and to participate in the investigation. Before providing a statement, or any evidence, the Cadet should consult with a military lawyer. A Cadet can waive a disenrollment investigation; however, doing so essentially solidifies that the Cadet in question will be disenrolled and will have to pay recoupment.

The Air Force ROTC Disenrollment process continues when given the opportunity for a personal appearance in front of the investigating officer. At the personal appearance, the cadet may make an oral statement and present written materials/evidence to the IO. The cadet may provide other individuals to offer testimonial evidence on the cadet’s behalf. Again, a military lawyer can and should be consulted so the Cadet in question prepares an effective Defense. While a lawyer cannot be present at the personal appearance, he/she can prepare the Cadet's entire presentation of evidence.

The next step in the Air Force ROTC Disenrollment process is that the IO should prepare a summary of statements given by the cadet and any other witness and include that summary in the Report of Investigation (ROI). The ROI is a factual summary of all evidence compiled by the IO during the investigation. All facts cited in the ROI will be supported by attached documentation. The IO will not include any opinions, conclusions, or recommendations in the ROI. After complete, the Cadet will receive the ROI and all supporting documents and be given at least 5 business days to submit a rebuttal.

If disenrollment is recommended, the Cadet in question can appeal. Requests for reconsideration of the disenrollment decision will always be reviewed; however, changes to the decision will be considered only if new evidence is presented that was not available during the initial investigation. Cadet must submit appeals in writing to the AFROTC/CC NLT 1-year from the individual’s effective date of disenrollment listed on the DD Form 785. Requests received after the 1-year cutoff date will not be considered; however, the Air Force Board of Corrections can be applied to after the 1-year-cutoff. The cadet is not permitted or authorized to make personal appearances with AFROTC personnel to discuss their case.

The Air Force Disenrollment process can, obviously, result in a Cadet being disenrolled; however, Cadets can also be ordered to active duty as an enlisted Soldier or be ordered to pay all scholarship moneys paid on their behalf back to the Federal Government. Put another way, Cadets have a lot to lose when facing the Air Force Disenrollment Process. As stated above, Cadets can retain a lawyer to assist them during the process. Lawyers can assist in collecting/presenting evidence during the disenrollment investigation and can draft any rebuttals/appeals that are necessary. Cadets often have a hard time obtaining a JAG to assist them and, even if they do, these JAGs tend to be inexperienced and overworked. Civilian Military lawyers can be retained, which gives the Cadet in question the ability to choose a lawyer with a proven track record of success and 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 all types of Military adverse actions, including the Air Force ROTC Disenrollment process.

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