WASHINGTON — The federal Government Accountability Office has launched a review of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps following widespread allegations of sexual misconduct by instructors and an appeal by U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and other lawmakers to look into the program’s oversight.

What You Need To Know

  • Last July, the New York Times reported that at least 33 JROTC instructors had been charged in criminal cases involving sexual misconduct

  • 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

  • U.S. Mazie Hirono and fellow lawmakers called for an examination of 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

“The more than 500,000 students participating in JROTC programs across the country should be safe and protected in their programs,” Hirono said. “Reports of abuse, mistreatment, and compulsory enrollment are deeply disturbing and demand further investigation. I am glad that the GAO will be conducting a comprehensive review into the JROTC program, so that students and their families can have faith in the JROTC program and its instructors. I will continue working to ensure JROTC students are safe in their programs and that anyone involved in misconduct is held accountable.”

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.

Earlier this month, Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined 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., in a letter asking U.S. comptroller general Gene Dodaro to initiate a comprehensive review.

Specifically, the lawmakers called for an examination of 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.