1/ Short thread 🎖️

Today, we piggybacked on @thedailytexan story about a #UT student who says he lost his ROTC scholarship due to Trump's ban on #transgender troops.
Since then, we've found out some more details.

dallasnews.com/news/higher-ed… #LGBT #LGBTQ #trans

2/ Map Pesqueira, 19, told @thedailytexan he lost a three-year scholarship he'll begin receiving next school year because he has taken steps to medically transition.

We reached out to the DoD for comment.

dailytexanonline.com/2019/04/16/ut-… #txlege #LGBT #LGBTQ

3/ The DoD told us they were not aware of Pesqueira's case.

But a spokesperson told me the new "policy states that anyone enrolled in ROTC for the upcoming academic year falls under the 2016 policy." Seemingly, this means Pesqueira could keep his scholarship.

So what gives?

4/ This afternoon, we reached Pesqueira.

He told us that last week, before the #transgender troop ban took effect, he reached out to the DOD to ask how it would impact his scholarship. The DOD said he would be "medically disqualified" under the new policy.
#LGBT #LGBTQ

5/ Why the disconnect?

I'm not sure yet. But I believe it there is confusion about the different between ROTC scholarship eligibility and enlistment eligibility. Stay with me, now, folks....

dallasnews.com/news/higher-ed… #LGBT #LGBTQ #UT

6/ The new Trump troop policy says transgender soldiers who have medically transitioned and enlisted after April 12 are ineligible for service. Only those who enlisted before can be grandfathered in.

#txlege #LGBT #LGBTQ

7/ Pesqueira is a student who will not be enlisting until after April 12.
He has medically transitioned, which is not allowed for new recruits after that date.
To be eligible for an ROTC award, you have to agree to enlist.

#txlege #LGBTQ #LGBT

8/8 All this to say, I wonder if any ROTC student who's medically transitioned will lose their scholarship because they'll be unable to enlist under Trump's new transgender troop policy.
I asked the DOD this question. They've referred to a new spokesman.
dallasnews.com/news/higher-ed…