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An expelled cadet challenges the Coast Guard Academy’s rule that forbids students having children

U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets conduct a regimental review Oct. 24, 2020.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Hunter Medley
/
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets conduct a regimental review Oct. 24, 2020.

The Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, expelled a cadet in 2014 for becoming a father, due to a regulation that does not allow students to have children. Isaak Olson filed a federal lawsuit this week challenging the constitutionality of the ban.

Olson became a father in 2013, right before the start of his senior year, according to court documents. He decided to give up his parental rights to get around the school’s ban on students having children, but was still expelled.

“No one should face discrimination for having children or becoming a parent,” said Elana Bildner, Olson’s attorney at the ACLU of Connecticut.

“Whether in school, in the workplace, in a military service academy, wherever it may be, your right to parent is a fundamental right that's protected by the U.S. Constitution,” Bildner said, adding that the rule went into effect in the 1970s when the Academy first began accepting female cadets.

The lawsuit claims the policy forces cadets like Olson into an “agonizing decision:” drop out of school, stay in school but give up their legal parental rights or terminate the pregnancy. The school also prohibits cadets from marrying.

David Santos, an Academy spokesperson, said the Coast Guard does “not comment on pending legal matters and therefore cannot specifically comment on this case.”

Since Olson couldn’t finish his degree and get commissioned as an officer in the Coast Guard, he claims he’s been losing out on income and career opportunities.

The case could impact the other four service academies with similar rules, including the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Copyright 2021 WSHU. To see more, visit WSHU.

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The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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