Did this Navy Capt deserve his punishment?

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:52:55 -0500

D you think the punishment was too severe, deserving or have we become too soft? Shocking and disgusting behavior by a leader.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-captain-of-san-diegobased-warship-relieved-of-duty-20141123-story.html

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2014 6:53 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:53:48 -0500

He seems to be out of control and behaving inappropriately. The relief probably ends his career, certainly ends any chance for advancement. I think the punishment is about right.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 23 at 2014 6:55 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:55:52 -0500

There's got to be more under the black magic marker, "highlighting" than this, though he sounds a bit off center. I'm floating between too soft and forced to retire. The questioning about birth control seems a bit over the edge but with combat roles opening up to women I believe the concern is valid but not the way he addressed it and questioned them. No one asks a guy if he's using a condom - married or not. IMHO, the ability to conceive and give birth to a child is one of the only differences that separates the genders from an academic view of both genders in combat - men can't get pregnant, women can - scientific fact.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2014 7:00 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 19:00:20 -0500

Sounds like he got railroaded to me but then we are just reading an article with no details. But then I come from the same era as well. Old school LOL our command was always sure to tell us to use birth control as well. It came in 3 sizes.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Nov 23 at 2014 7:13 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 19:13:53 -0500

The whole cussing thing i don't know it does not bother me because if that is all he could do then he was a sorry skipper. Touching his female sailors and asking them if they are using birth control is a line that should of never been crossed. They need to figure a new system to selecting CO's because to be relieve 12 skippers in one year are you kidding me

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2014 7:14 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 19:14:12 -0500

He was inappropriate and sounds like he was a hot head. It does not take much these days for CO's, XO's and SEL's to be relieved these days. Hell in 1908 ADM Nimitz, then Ensign Nimitz ran his ship the USS Decatur aground while sailing into Manila Harbour. He did stand before a court martial but obviously it did not end his career. There is a big difference between the Navy of then and the Navy of now.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2014 4:15 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 04:15:20 -0500

I agree that something has to be done.... just 12??? wow

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Nov 24 at 2014 5:52 AM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 05:52:18 -0500

Some people think they're invisible when they get power.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2014 10:04 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 10:04:33 -0500

Intrusive leadership is asking the tough questions, but it's NOT asking questions in order to embarrass personnel. Asking a female sailor if they are using birth control might be the question you want to ask - but there's a way to ask the question that won't offend. Things such as time & place are important also when asking the tough questions. I've had many a tough question presented to me - but I've got a tough skin AND I know the difference between the "tough question" and the overly intrusive, none of the C.O.'s effing business type of questions.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 24 at 2014 1:11 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 13:11:35 -0500

Assuming that the facts are correctly stated and proven, it seems appropriate. However, it's easy to have an opinion, harder to reach a judgment unless one is directly engaged in the issue at hand, looked the accused and the accusers in the eyes, and examined the evidence first hand.

In general, an officer should be able to communicate and lead without being abusive and should never violate the persons of their subordinates regardless of gender.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Nov 24 at 2014 1:18 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 13:18:13 -0500

A few thoughts/comments:
- Command is a privilege, not a right. Commanders at all levels must be held to the highest standard. Our subordinates deserve nothing less.
- From the article, it appears that the Captain received due process. Basically Navy version of a 15-6 followed by a higher commanders decision based upon the results of the 15-6.
- Loss of female sailors for a deployment due to pregnancy is a legitimate concern for a commander. Asking female sailors if they are using birth control is not the way to get after this concern.
- In a nutshell, toxic leadership + inappropriate touching/questioning of women = relief of command.
- Relief of command at the 06 level effectively means this officer will not be promoted. Forced retirement may be an indirect effect of this decision but it should not be a direct or directed thing. Goes to other considerations.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Nov 24 at 2014 2:17 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:17:19 -0500

I believe he got what he deserved. I've been yelled at and once the peson walked away I made my corrections and kept moving on. As far as the touching and questioning, yes he should have gotten in trouble for that, but I can remember a few end of week formations in Korea where the 1SG would say, "don't get pregnant, or get anyone pregnant this weekend."

Response by SSG John Erny made Nov 24 at 2014 2:24 PM

SSG John Erny — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:24:50 -0500

Sounds a whole lot like the 80's Wow, what a decade.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2014 1:47 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 01:47:30 -0500

I have a friend on two of these ships as a SWO, where his leadership was fired. Before getting rid of the toxic leader, several officer's careers were ruined. He said that there is widespread problems in the amphib community. In the two ships he was on the Captains had cronies on board where direct violations of regs wold be overlooked at the same time witch hunts to find the smallest thing to burn someone who was not in the click were done.

If this guy is anything like the two my friend served under, makes me think that there should be more of a penalty like retiring at O-5.

Response by SP5 Tom Carlson made Dec 25 at 2014 9:02 PM

SP5 Tom Carlson — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 21:02:49 -0500

always puzzled the crap outta me how some leaders emlisted and officer could get promoted... demanding respect and showing no respecr back,, saw alot of it thats why I quit after 6= years as enlisted
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