News release: Disenrollment Process Review released Published March 20, 2014 U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Today the Air Force and the Air Force Academy released two Inspector General reports, one highlighting the Air Force Office of Special Investigations' use of cadets in the Confidential Informant program and one on the Academy's disenrollment process. "Both IG reports provide recommendations for a few areas where we can improve. None of the discrepancies found in the investigation would have affected the outcome of any past cases," said Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson, academy superintendent. The Air Force OSI IG report recommends consideration be given to a more senior OSI staff in the local region as well as more face-to-face discussions between USAFA leadership and the OSI. "I am pleased with the thorough and extensive review of the OSI Confidential Information program and concur with the report's recommendations," said. Johnson. "Furthermore, there is an agreement with OSI that any future use of cadets as CIs will only occur with my approval and strict oversight." The Air Force Academy's disenrollment review assessed the Academy's previous and current cadet disenrollment processes. The panel determined the processes provided fairness, consistency, timeliness, due process and transparency for both cadets and USAFA; identified weaknesses or potential enhancements in both programs; determined the current program improved upon previous programs; and provided recommendations, included in the IG report. The new instructions implemented in 2013 sought to mirror the cadet disenrollment procedures with the administrative discharge for Air Force personnel; by doing so, streamlining the process that was often encumbered by numerous procedural steps and an arguably excessive due process. At the direction of Lt. Gen. Johnson, a review panel was assembled, including personnel from the Air Force Academy's Inspector General office, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions & Citizen Development. The panel reviewed relevant regulations and instructions and interviewed numerous individuals involved in the processes. The panel also reviewed 98 completed disenrollment files dating from 2011 to the present. "We are thankful for the panel's review or our disenrollment process and its recommendations," said Johnson. "While we are encouraged by the positive results, we will continue to ensure the afforded due process is appropriate for both cadets and the Air Force's Academy." "With unity of effort, we will continue to do what is best for the Air Force and the academy. I want people to be confident in all of our systems," said Johnson. Portions of the public release report have been redacted in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552 (b)(5), because the content contains internal advice, recommendations, and subjective evaluations which are pre-decisional and part of the deliberative process privilege. The public release version of the report is located here. -30-