"JROTC: Protecting Cadets from Sexual Abuse and Instructor Misconduct”

Chairman Stephen F. Lynch Opening Statement [PDF]

Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney Opening Statement [PDF]

On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. ET, Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, will hold a hearing to examine troubling allegations that dozens of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) instructors have misused their positions of authority to abuse or exploit students under their supervision. 

A recent investigation by TheNew York Times found that during the last five years, prosecutors have brought criminal charges against at least 33 JROTC instructors related to sexual misconduct or abuse involving students, a much higher rate of alleged misconduct compared to civilian high school teachers.  According to the Times, some of those charged had been previously flagged for allegations of misconduct, while other instructors have been accused of misconduct but were never charged. 

In August 2022, Chairman Lynch and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, launched an investigation to determine whether the Department of Defense (DOD) and military services have the necessary safeguards and oversight mechanisms in place to ensure the safety and well-being of JROTC cadets.

This hearing will examine the scope of sexual assault, abuse, harassment and other misconduct perpetrated by instructors within JROTC, and the steps DOD and the military services are taking to protect cadets from predatory instructors.