Posted on Apr 3, 2020
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(Update: 14 Jun 2020) - While this story remains in the news (https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/06/19/navy-wont-reinstate-crozier-fires-1-star-over-poor-decision-making.html), we are reminded of what is today!!!
On this Father's Day and Flag Day for 2020 it might serve all of us to think about all the fathers and mothers too who are serving away from home and on whom their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coastguardsmen rely. While many have voiced opinions on many sides of this event, and its implications are not yet fully felt, the point is simply this quote:
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty (aka freedom)"
It does not matter who made the quote often attributed to a particular Founding Father, but with little tangible evidence to verify that attribution; rather, it is the meaning in the words that are much more important!!! In the world of politics, we are reminded, that the mastery of the gymnastic linguistics involved in the defense of an indefensible position is the tangled web woven by the venom of the spiders that need absolute power.
With > 22.5 views, >1.3 K likes and >370 comments as of this date this post has had a lot of play. I want to thank all those the posted. Have a great Father's day, Flag Day and think deeply about the event that will be soon upon us - the 4th of July. Our nation is difficult, but in that difficulty has always been hope. I continue to pray that our nation of men, of women, of black, of white, of so many others learns that our common humanity it more important than our, often contrived differences. We'd be wise to remember that:
ALL people have "...certain unalienable rights..." and "...that among thee are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..." None of which can ever be truly achieved when small minds are willing to act out of fear and ignorance to save only themselves and deny these "...unalienable rights..." to the least among us who are in our care!
Blessing to all....
-------------
(Update: 13 Apr 2020) - Thank you SGT (Join to see) for this "interesting update" regarding the Pentagon's "worries" over CAPT Crozier's actions (https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/pentagon-worries-capt-crozier-s-concern-for-his-sailors-may-be-contagious--3). Humm. So, a Pentagon spokesperson could have actually said. “...This makes us sitting here in the Pentagon look like out-of-touch asses....” Now that is interesting!?!?!?!?!
Oh, I love the phrase "Crozier-20" - funnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!
But, in all seriousness, if you are going to train officers and senior enlisted leaders that taking care of the troops is the #1 priority when it comes to being resilient, mission focused and combat ready, you should expect - the truth.
But, it is the update (https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/rising-navy-coronavirus-cases-put-heightened-tempo-into-question?loc=similar_main&pos=0&type=qrc) from PO1 William "Chip" Nagel that makes the update from SGT (Join to see) not just funny from Duffelblog, but actually poignant. Humm!
I'd bet good money that the CO has this over his desk in his stateroom: http://www.worldfuturefund.org/Documents/maninarena.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Update: 09 Apr 2020) - Thank you SSG Robert Mark Odom for this intel - https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/roosevelt-sailor-with-covid-19-found-unresponsive-in-guam.
-------------------------------------------------
Dear RP Family,
By now, the world knows the CO, CAPTAIN B.E. Crozier, of the USS Theodore Rooselvet (CVN-71) has been relieved of command for a letter he wrote dated 30 March 2020 regarding Coronavirus.
CAPT Crozier's letter (https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Exclusive-Captain-of-aircraft-carrier-with-15167883.php) is interesting and reminds me of another CO I once gladly served, CAPT Howick. Capt Howick, I believe, would have taken the same action as Capt Crozier, based on my service with him during an evolution at REFTRA in GITMO just prior to our deploying as part of Desert Shield.
Capt Crozier, stated the obvious impact and outcomes of an uncontrolled disease state on an advanced ship of war. Is that not what a competent war fighter does? So the YES's are:
- Yes, our enemies now know (perhaps have always known) how rapidly they can degrade our at sea war fighting forces with a simple 'invisible bug';
- Yes, I am sure the DoD, especially the US Navy, did not want to reveal this as I am sure it scared the crap out of the CoC;
- Yes, the families of those sailors are scared, but I think those who are honest with themselves are glad their sailors or marines served with this Capt. as much as I was proud to serve a CO like USN Capt. Howick or USMC Col. Doyle in the 1980s.
Perhaps what Capt. Crozier was thinking about was what Sun Tzu was reported to have said: "So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak." His mighty warship was weakening and he knew it. The CoC was apparently not listening, so he took the only course of action that was seemly left to him in order to take care of "his crew - aka his shipmates" and "attempt to maintain mission readiness."
He knew the risk the letter entailed. While he has been relieved, I think he will be asked to retire; and, I am not sure he will be Courts-Marshaled for this "seeming insubordination" as such an act by DoD could be spun in the media, if they chose to, into greater questions that would expose the military's ability to protect our own in times of this kind of crisis. He did not commit a USA LT William Calley or a USN Chief Gallagher type event from their 'personal actions'. If anything, from his letter he has outlined courses of action that could become military wide, if not US Navy, medical doctrine going forward under similar future conditions and provide a better process for OPSEC under such conditions. Even when we get a handle on testing and treatment, there will be other "hidden COVID-19 type" threats. The question should be for the CoC, is how will we now keep our war fighters at sea safer and mission responsive, especially aboard one of the most powerful platforms in our arsenal?
I have been a carrier sailor and I am sure the CMO and Senior PMT along with the entire Medical Department on TR are busting ass. In closing, I remember the singular case of Legionnaires disease we got aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) when to the Med in 1989. The young (20 yo) sailor died about 10 days after arrival on board after his leave. I was a new PMT then, it was interesting times.
Finally, my sister is a DoD Civlian in the ME and she tells me that troops are coughing all over in her particular indoor-based operations. This operation is not mission essential. Apparently, no PPE or social distancing is being accomplished when I last spoke with her 26 Mar (4 days before CAPT Crozier's letter.)
In any event, just sharing some thoughts from an old sea dawg!
Blessing always to the RP family,
Question: Did CAPTAIN Crozier ultimately show "genuine leadership" or "fool-heartiness" by the penning of this letter and transmitting it in the open?
BTW, if you want to understand how sailors and marines feel about those that lead them under difficult circumstances this video might tell you something - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpNT5KUYhTM.
On this Father's Day and Flag Day for 2020 it might serve all of us to think about all the fathers and mothers too who are serving away from home and on whom their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coastguardsmen rely. While many have voiced opinions on many sides of this event, and its implications are not yet fully felt, the point is simply this quote:
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty (aka freedom)"
It does not matter who made the quote often attributed to a particular Founding Father, but with little tangible evidence to verify that attribution; rather, it is the meaning in the words that are much more important!!! In the world of politics, we are reminded, that the mastery of the gymnastic linguistics involved in the defense of an indefensible position is the tangled web woven by the venom of the spiders that need absolute power.
With > 22.5 views, >1.3 K likes and >370 comments as of this date this post has had a lot of play. I want to thank all those the posted. Have a great Father's day, Flag Day and think deeply about the event that will be soon upon us - the 4th of July. Our nation is difficult, but in that difficulty has always been hope. I continue to pray that our nation of men, of women, of black, of white, of so many others learns that our common humanity it more important than our, often contrived differences. We'd be wise to remember that:
ALL people have "...certain unalienable rights..." and "...that among thee are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..." None of which can ever be truly achieved when small minds are willing to act out of fear and ignorance to save only themselves and deny these "...unalienable rights..." to the least among us who are in our care!
Blessing to all....
-------------
(Update: 13 Apr 2020) - Thank you SGT (Join to see) for this "interesting update" regarding the Pentagon's "worries" over CAPT Crozier's actions (https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/pentagon-worries-capt-crozier-s-concern-for-his-sailors-may-be-contagious--3). Humm. So, a Pentagon spokesperson could have actually said. “...This makes us sitting here in the Pentagon look like out-of-touch asses....” Now that is interesting!?!?!?!?!
Oh, I love the phrase "Crozier-20" - funnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!
But, in all seriousness, if you are going to train officers and senior enlisted leaders that taking care of the troops is the #1 priority when it comes to being resilient, mission focused and combat ready, you should expect - the truth.
But, it is the update (https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/rising-navy-coronavirus-cases-put-heightened-tempo-into-question?loc=similar_main&pos=0&type=qrc) from PO1 William "Chip" Nagel that makes the update from SGT (Join to see) not just funny from Duffelblog, but actually poignant. Humm!
I'd bet good money that the CO has this over his desk in his stateroom: http://www.worldfuturefund.org/Documents/maninarena.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Update: 09 Apr 2020) - Thank you SSG Robert Mark Odom for this intel - https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/roosevelt-sailor-with-covid-19-found-unresponsive-in-guam.
-------------------------------------------------
Dear RP Family,
By now, the world knows the CO, CAPTAIN B.E. Crozier, of the USS Theodore Rooselvet (CVN-71) has been relieved of command for a letter he wrote dated 30 March 2020 regarding Coronavirus.
CAPT Crozier's letter (https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Exclusive-Captain-of-aircraft-carrier-with-15167883.php) is interesting and reminds me of another CO I once gladly served, CAPT Howick. Capt Howick, I believe, would have taken the same action as Capt Crozier, based on my service with him during an evolution at REFTRA in GITMO just prior to our deploying as part of Desert Shield.
Capt Crozier, stated the obvious impact and outcomes of an uncontrolled disease state on an advanced ship of war. Is that not what a competent war fighter does? So the YES's are:
- Yes, our enemies now know (perhaps have always known) how rapidly they can degrade our at sea war fighting forces with a simple 'invisible bug';
- Yes, I am sure the DoD, especially the US Navy, did not want to reveal this as I am sure it scared the crap out of the CoC;
- Yes, the families of those sailors are scared, but I think those who are honest with themselves are glad their sailors or marines served with this Capt. as much as I was proud to serve a CO like USN Capt. Howick or USMC Col. Doyle in the 1980s.
Perhaps what Capt. Crozier was thinking about was what Sun Tzu was reported to have said: "So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak." His mighty warship was weakening and he knew it. The CoC was apparently not listening, so he took the only course of action that was seemly left to him in order to take care of "his crew - aka his shipmates" and "attempt to maintain mission readiness."
He knew the risk the letter entailed. While he has been relieved, I think he will be asked to retire; and, I am not sure he will be Courts-Marshaled for this "seeming insubordination" as such an act by DoD could be spun in the media, if they chose to, into greater questions that would expose the military's ability to protect our own in times of this kind of crisis. He did not commit a USA LT William Calley or a USN Chief Gallagher type event from their 'personal actions'. If anything, from his letter he has outlined courses of action that could become military wide, if not US Navy, medical doctrine going forward under similar future conditions and provide a better process for OPSEC under such conditions. Even when we get a handle on testing and treatment, there will be other "hidden COVID-19 type" threats. The question should be for the CoC, is how will we now keep our war fighters at sea safer and mission responsive, especially aboard one of the most powerful platforms in our arsenal?
I have been a carrier sailor and I am sure the CMO and Senior PMT along with the entire Medical Department on TR are busting ass. In closing, I remember the singular case of Legionnaires disease we got aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) when to the Med in 1989. The young (20 yo) sailor died about 10 days after arrival on board after his leave. I was a new PMT then, it was interesting times.
Finally, my sister is a DoD Civlian in the ME and she tells me that troops are coughing all over in her particular indoor-based operations. This operation is not mission essential. Apparently, no PPE or social distancing is being accomplished when I last spoke with her 26 Mar (4 days before CAPT Crozier's letter.)
In any event, just sharing some thoughts from an old sea dawg!
Blessing always to the RP family,
Question: Did CAPTAIN Crozier ultimately show "genuine leadership" or "fool-heartiness" by the penning of this letter and transmitting it in the open?
BTW, if you want to understand how sailors and marines feel about those that lead them under difficult circumstances this video might tell you something - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpNT5KUYhTM.
CAPT
Mission
Integrity
Political Correctness
Medical
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 86
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We no longer have the luxury of defining war as a time when we are exchanging fire with an identified enemy. Our enemies, those who are determined to modify the world order to our disadvantage, are constantly imposing "minor" attacks on us that are responded to by declarations of indignation because their acts are not considered grievous enough to accelerate to a full armed response. The only considerations that deny our current enemies more aggressive actions are what our response will be using the military or economic means we control. Consider the current controversy on whether the Chinese are responsible for the spread of the corona virus; there are serious talks of major revisions to our economic relationship with the Chinese.
The Roosevelt is a major military asset assigned to the Pacific theater where the Chinese have recently been taking actions that, while short of armed conflict, are obviously intended to advance their influence in the Pacific (interest in Subic Bay basing; artificial islands as bases, etc.). By going public with a declaration that the Roosevelt's capabilities were, or were about to be compromised, Crozier made public a degradation of our military response capability; in essence assuming a key strategic role reserved for the President and the Congress.
One of my primary considerations during my career was the welfare of my people. I am certain Crozier could have handled the situation differently within the COC, or, if he considered it necessary, skipped his COC by going to the national command authorities. But divulging the potential deadlining of a national asset ignored his primary responsibility of the protection of our national interest.
The Roosevelt is a major military asset assigned to the Pacific theater where the Chinese have recently been taking actions that, while short of armed conflict, are obviously intended to advance their influence in the Pacific (interest in Subic Bay basing; artificial islands as bases, etc.). By going public with a declaration that the Roosevelt's capabilities were, or were about to be compromised, Crozier made public a degradation of our military response capability; in essence assuming a key strategic role reserved for the President and the Congress.
One of my primary considerations during my career was the welfare of my people. I am certain Crozier could have handled the situation differently within the COC, or, if he considered it necessary, skipped his COC by going to the national command authorities. But divulging the potential deadlining of a national asset ignored his primary responsibility of the protection of our national interest.
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The military has a chain of command, it should be followed until exhaustion. In fact any civilian job where that occurred I assure you they were fired. Follow the fucking rules!
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Yes, he was out of line. There is a Chain of Command for a very good reason. I'm sure he would have taken issue (e.g. Captain's Mast) for a senior officer under his command circumventing his own Chain of Command by publishing an "open letter" on issues of readiness. Had he not gotten "adequate" support from his superiors in a timely manner, then he still has a recourse within his Chain of Command.
It is wholly unprofessional to publish military readiness grievances in the civilian media. The civilians don't understand the context. Civilians grab onto the "taking care of Sailors" bumper sticker and shake it like a dog with a bone. But there's a way to do things, and when he's charged with ENFORCING the Chain of Command, he damn well better provide the adherence he demands of his subordinates.
I suspect his career is effectively over. He is unlikely to gain another command, although I'm sure there are plenty of staff positions he can fill until he's "tired and ready to go home".
It is wholly unprofessional to publish military readiness grievances in the civilian media. The civilians don't understand the context. Civilians grab onto the "taking care of Sailors" bumper sticker and shake it like a dog with a bone. But there's a way to do things, and when he's charged with ENFORCING the Chain of Command, he damn well better provide the adherence he demands of his subordinates.
I suspect his career is effectively over. He is unlikely to gain another command, although I'm sure there are plenty of staff positions he can fill until he's "tired and ready to go home".
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There are too many factors which, I am certain, have not been released to the public. They’ve stopped talking about it on the news, but I’m sure the entire crew hasn’t tested positive which, in itself, is a positive outcome. The question here is should he have allowed all hands to become infected or not? There is simply no social distancing on any Navy vessel.
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Had he EXHAUSTED all other avenues and nothing was done and he knew it would cost him his command and career then yes write the letter.
I had an old crusty CPO tell me when I first got in the Navy if your RIGHT and you have your ducks lined up, stick to your guns no matter what. But do it with respect
I had an old crusty CPO tell me when I first got in the Navy if your RIGHT and you have your ducks lined up, stick to your guns no matter what. But do it with respect
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He was absolutely in the wrong, he acted rashly and should have followed the proper procedures reporting his concerns through the Chain of Command.
And you’re DAMNED RIGHT he did the right thing.
This man exhibited the most bravery, the most selflessness, the most LEADERSHIP of any Officer in our GENERATION.
He KNEW that he would take the BIG hit and that he was ending his fucking CAREER. The thing is, he didn’t CARE about his career.
As proven by his unbelievably HARD CORE ACTION, he cared about ONE THING.
He cared about his PEOPLE.
Everything else can go to Hell.
This man should be a fucking Admiral at least, if not the motherfucking Secretary of the Navy.
God bless you Sir. From a grizzled old Army man to a grizzled old Navy man - I salute you you magnificent fucking sea dog.
And you’re DAMNED RIGHT he did the right thing.
This man exhibited the most bravery, the most selflessness, the most LEADERSHIP of any Officer in our GENERATION.
He KNEW that he would take the BIG hit and that he was ending his fucking CAREER. The thing is, he didn’t CARE about his career.
As proven by his unbelievably HARD CORE ACTION, he cared about ONE THING.
He cared about his PEOPLE.
Everything else can go to Hell.
This man should be a fucking Admiral at least, if not the motherfucking Secretary of the Navy.
God bless you Sir. From a grizzled old Army man to a grizzled old Navy man - I salute you you magnificent fucking sea dog.
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It is MISSION ACCOMPLISHEMENT and then troop welfare. The mission was and is operational security, and he sent traffic concerning the operation of that boat and the integrity of the crew. No it was bad judgment on his part. He resigned and has retirement. He got of lucky
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I remember every year getting my OpSec briefing. This was a prime example of an OpSec violation. However, this was also a prime example of an officer putting their career at risk for the good of their people.
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I have someone VERY CLOSE to me (my Daughter) who is a CS1(SW/IW/AW) with Carrier Strike Group Nine (CCSG-9) on USS Theodore Roosevelt who is currently in quarantine in Guam. She tested positive for COVID-19. So, I'm effected first hand...... No hear say! I spent 20+ years in the U.S. Marine Corps & U.S. Navy, didn't really PLAY THE GAME WELL! I was a great technician & always followed the rules! But the NAVY I guess expects more....... Just like this CAPT, I can't believe his UPPER CHAIN OF COMMAND had no knowledge...... in my opinion that's 100% BS! It's just another way for the upper Enlisted & Officers to COVER-THEIR-AZZ (CYA)!! I would expect that behavior from an Seaman, Airman, or Fireman! Not from Senior Enlisted & Officers! I see the "I don't or Didn't know" mentality is still alive & well!! We used to call that the AIRMAN SALUTE!!!! SMDH!!!
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There was some very serious failure in the COC at the flag level probably on the ship. He appears he could not get past the 2 star on board and went a bit to far going around him. No where near enough facts in the public eye and there never will be.
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