No sympathy for loss of ROTC grant

I really have trouble feeling sympathy for Danielle Littrell, the 18-year-old whose ROTC scholarship was rescinded by the U.S. Navy when they discovered a herniated disc from 2005.

My son, John D. Hlotke, who is also an exemplary student, was already an enlisted member of the Navy when he applied for an ROTC scholarship. I still have the letter informing him that he was a recipient. He knew, however, that it was subject to a physical exam. He was disqualified because of his vision, which was good enough, according to Navy standards, for enlisted status, but not good enough for officer status. Although disappointed, he knew all along, even before his enlistment, that one was subject to physical qualifications.

My son completed six years in the Navy, rising to the rank of Petty Officer First Class. Earlier this year, he graduated from College of DuPage with four associates degrees and five computer certifications. He is now transferring to Northern Illinois University, where he will major in mathematics and physics. He is able to pay for his education, in large part, thanks to the GI Bill and the Illinois Veterans Grant.

My son listened to my father's sage advice: "There is the right way, the wrong way, and the military way."

Suzanne G. Hlotke

Carol Stream