To receive an NROTC scholarship, you must serve in the military. "Total military service obligation is eight years, at least four of which must be on active duty" - NROTC website
TRANSLATION: In order to get an NROTC scholarship, you must promise to serve in the military, where you cannot discuss your homosexuality. So in order to get a NROTC scholarship, you must be straight.
According to some estimates there are 65,000 LGBTQ individuals serving in the US military. There have been over 1,000,000 gay veterans. According to federal law, you cannot "discuss your homosexuality" and receive an NROTC scholarship and this does present limitations to LGBTQ Americans who wish to serve. We need to change DADT, and the time is right to argue against DADT in Congress - where it can be overturned.
Recently, 104 retired generals and admirals
called for an end to Don't Ask, Don't Tell, arguing, "our service members
are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences
in race, gender, religion, and sexuality." These hundreds of thousands of LGBT
soldiers have sacrificed much to serve their country. They deserve Columbia's
support, and its ability to allow like-minded individuals to join the ranks.
Analysis and photo by Columbia Students for NROTC.