Resigning your command

2014-09-09T10:25:27-04:00

So, a Navy CO resigned his command.
http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140908/NEWS/309080036/Hueneme-CO-quits-halfway-through-tour

What I find interesting is the article's sense of outrage on the part of many that he simply resigned (following procedures that apparently exist for that) and wasn't "Detached For Cause" (i.e. "Fired."). There seems to be an overt sense of "You can't quit, you can only be fired."

Two things about this stand out to me:
1. This attitude seems to fly in the face of integrity. We should EXPECT an Officer who realizes that he is not measuring up, and does not believe he can do so, to step aside. That is foundational character.
2. The level of reflexive vindictiveness. Numerous people in the article expressed that it was fine for him to resign, and that it was maybe the right thing to do, but he should be PUNISHED as well - because it's "just not done." (that was pretty close to a quote from the article) This despite no investigations into his performance.

There is always more than meets the eye, or shows in the first story, that said - you can't have it both ways. If you demand integrity, you can't get all bent when someone has the nerve to act with integrity.

I salute Cpt. Espe's courage and integrity. (and, yes, it will affect the rest of his career, which I expect will be very short.)

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Sep 9 at 2014 10:30 AM

2014-09-09T10:30:21-04:00

I think attitude is rooted in a few cultural things that, IMHO, are not necessaily healthy:

1) The competitive up or out mentality. Unless you keep achieving and keep getting promoted you are a slug and don't deserve to be in uniform.

2) That being in command is the only way to show your worth in the military.

3) The zero defect mentality.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 9 at 2014 10:33 AM

2014-09-09T10:33:54-04:00

More on this discussion here:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/navy-co-quits?page=1&urlhash=233858#233858

Navy CO quits? | RallyPoint

http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140908/NEWS/309080036/Hueneme-CO-quits-halfway-through-tour

Response by GySgt Joe Strong made Sep 11 at 2014 1:11 PM

2014-09-11T13:11:39-04:00

I think it showed an amazing amount of Integrity to step up and step out knowing the disapprobation that was going to be heaped upon him.

I also think it's reprehensible that one would think additional punishment is required, unless the commander was stepping down to avoid some kind of possible charge for malfeasance.

And the reason this is so unheard of is that it probably is Career Suicide, although probably many with less integrity have let their commands suffer or just thrown band-aids until they could leave. I think it's great that he was able to see that he was the wrong man in the wrong job and did the best thing for his command by seeking relief for both himself and his command.

Perhaps better screening for a good fit to the Command would have prevented this issue and possibly others where the commanders are simply booking their time and not doing the best thing for their situation by getting out of the way?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 9:23 PM

2014-09-11T21:23:13-04:00

Sir, very interesting article. Thank you for sharing as I would not have seen it otherwise. I agree that it is honorable for Captain Espe to have done this and his integrity and personal courage. I also agree though that he will have repercussions in his career with most likely not having another command. Not everyone is cut out to have a command or that particular command. Captain Espe might excel at another command, but unfortunately he may be stuck in staff positions until he chooses or is asked to retire.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 2:40 PM

2014-10-17T14:40:11-04:00

Thank you for sharing this article Sir, what an act of integrity to end a good-standing career for an officer. Additional punishment seems unnecessary in this case.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 6:37 AM

2014-12-15T06:37:41-05:00

http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/02/air-force-change-of-command/

"“The numbers don’t lie,” Franscastle said to the capacity crowd right after thanking the band and the color guard for being at the ceremony. “I’m an otherwise stable forty-something male with no history of misconduct being put in a position of moderate authority. I have to face the facts and get in front of this thing.”

Read more: http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/02/air-force-change-of-command/#ixzz3LxusBlSk"

Colonel Preemptively Fires Himself While Assuming Command

Command is a career-killer in the 21st century.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-09-02T09:24:15-04:00

In the case of the Navy Captain - he's definitely had a long and successful career to reach the rank of Captain. There's definitely details that we aren't reading/hearing about for sure. I'm sure he's due to retire and potentially already set himself up with a nice civilian transition.

Response by GySgt Moses Lozano made Sep 2 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-09-02T11:00:30-04:00

I always hated how officers were always able to weasel out trouble but the enlisted got nailed to the wall yet all that is preached is to set the example!