A member of the Colorado Army Reserves who was once expelled from the Air Force Academy just hours before graduation was recently promoted to captain.

Denver

Adam DiRito was removed from the Air Force Academy just before graduation for allegedly violating academy rules, leaving him without a diploma and facing a $216,000 education debt. Over the next 15 years, DiRito worked to restore his reputation, serving in the Army Reserve, reaching out to lawmakers, and sharing his story publicly.

DiRito has now achieved the rank of captain in the Army Reserve, marking a significant personal victory. However, his dispute with the Air Force Academy remains unresolved, particularly regarding the education debt, as he argues that his military service should absolve it. The case continues to draw attention, with further developments anticipated.

Expelled Air Force cadet promoted to captain after 15-year redemption

Tonight, we're following a journey for justice that's lasted more than 15 years. Only hours before his graduation, Air Force Academy recruit Adam DiRito was stripped of his diploma for allegedly violating Academy rules. For years, DiRito has worked to reclaim his honor, serving in the Army Reserve, sending letters to lawmakers, and posting on social media. And today's is a story of redemption and vindication. And while he's still not an Air Force Academy graduate, he is now an Army Reserve captain. But the battle for his reputation's not over. This is a story our chief investigative reporter, Tony Kovaleski, has been following for years now. Tony, the conflict between this Army Reserve member and the Air Force is not resolved, yet he feels vindicated. Why? Not resolved. Certainly a brand new chapter for Adam DiRito. And let me just paint a picture for you. We all know how difficult it is to get to the Air Force Academy, to get accepted, to get through that curriculum. He goes four years through. He's got his family in the stands getting ready to graduate. And all of a sudden, at the 11th hour, he gets pulled out of line and said, you're not going to graduate. We talked about that earlier in the hour. But now he has fought to regain his reputation. He feels that, yes, there is vindication because he didn't say no. He didn't allow what happened to impact him. He's kept working. He's continued basically finding ways to now serve his country and set a new standard for what he believes is right. Tony, at one point that cadet owed $216,000 for his education because his diploma was denied. Does he still owe that money? Another great question, right? When you go to the Air Force Academy, your education is a cost to this country. As you mentioned, $216,000 in Adam DiRito's case. But what happened here is he wasn't able to repay it because the agreement is you get the education, you then serve the country, and that debt is removed. Well, because he didn't graduate, because he didn't go serve at the Air Force Academy or at the Air Force, that debt remains. Now, he's arguing, and that fight continues here, Jessica, he's arguing that he has served his country with the Army Reserve, and he's hoping to get that to go away. But one victory here, but a battle that continues. Still more chapters to this story still to be told. Thank you, Tony, for that reporting. Denver 7 Investigates first brought us DiRito's story four years ago. To read more of Tony's previous coverage, scan that QR code on your screen or go to Denver7.com and search Adam DiRito.

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