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
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(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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SSG Robert Webster
CPO Nate S. - Due to the explanation/qualification at the end of the first part of the answer. In this case there could be multiple Yes or No answers that are not addressed because of the qualifier.
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CPO Nate S.
SSG Robert Webster - Perhaps simple YES or NO without qualifiers would have been better or multiple YES / multiple NO with different qualifiers would have made sense, but in either case a simple YES / NO or a qualified YES / NO remain in adequate.
So, I chose what I chose to at least get the conversation started. Perhaps, I could have taken a little more time to develop things and ask the question or presented possible answers in a different form. Granted, but I wanted to generate discussion. Bottom line!
So, I chose what I chose to at least get the conversation started. Perhaps, I could have taken a little more time to develop things and ask the question or presented possible answers in a different form. Granted, but I wanted to generate discussion. Bottom line!
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Cpl Jeff N.
CPO Nate S. - I would have answered "yes" he was out of line. I would completely disagree with the statement after the yes "it took great courage to risk his career to do the right thing in order to affect new courses of future actions at all levels". It isn't "the right thing" to do something out of line.
If he was out of line, it did not take great courage, it was a stupid move. That is what I mean. It you believe he was out of line it is unlikely you think it took great courage etc. to be out of line. The yes/no answers are next to nonsensical statements afterward.
If he was out of line, it did not take great courage, it was a stupid move. That is what I mean. It you believe he was out of line it is unlikely you think it took great courage etc. to be out of line. The yes/no answers are next to nonsensical statements afterward.
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I want to thank the Captain for letting everyone know his ship was not combat ready. Signed, The Russians,
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SecDef stated today that there is a possibility that CAPT Crozer can be reinstated and President Trump has stated that he does not believe in punishing a person for having 'a bad day.'
What we don't know is the level of information on the virus and readiness impact, held by Senior leaders (above CAPT Crozer). What most of us do know is that too often, senior leaders take positions based on their career objectives and too many are risk averse (don't rock the boat). Given the limited information, we can only respond to the letter, which makes a compelling case that actions must be taken: to determine the impact of the virus on ship readiness and to care for those infected. As a result of the letter, the TR was docked and sailors were removed to quarantine as well as hospitalization. This indicates that the virus had been active for some time (since the shore leave in Vietnam) and the risk of greater infection remained because you can't 'social distance' 4,000 sailors on a carrier.
With the investigation complete and CAPT Crozier quarantined with the Wuhan virus, I expect that he will be offered a chance to reclaim his Command or retire. Even if he reclaims his position, the senior leaders, who stayed silent will determine his fate. The senior leaders, who played it safe, will never promote him (just as Colonel Teddy Roosevelt was never promoted or awarded the Congressional Medal after writing his letter). He will finish his career as a Captain with a story to tell.
What we don't know is the level of information on the virus and readiness impact, held by Senior leaders (above CAPT Crozer). What most of us do know is that too often, senior leaders take positions based on their career objectives and too many are risk averse (don't rock the boat). Given the limited information, we can only respond to the letter, which makes a compelling case that actions must be taken: to determine the impact of the virus on ship readiness and to care for those infected. As a result of the letter, the TR was docked and sailors were removed to quarantine as well as hospitalization. This indicates that the virus had been active for some time (since the shore leave in Vietnam) and the risk of greater infection remained because you can't 'social distance' 4,000 sailors on a carrier.
With the investigation complete and CAPT Crozier quarantined with the Wuhan virus, I expect that he will be offered a chance to reclaim his Command or retire. Even if he reclaims his position, the senior leaders, who stayed silent will determine his fate. The senior leaders, who played it safe, will never promote him (just as Colonel Teddy Roosevelt was never promoted or awarded the Congressional Medal after writing his letter). He will finish his career as a Captain with a story to tell.
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COL (Join to see)
CPO Nate S. a speaking tour at this time would be bad for Navy and Trump. So, assuming politics is at play, then both will want to delay his departure.
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CPO Nate S.
COL (Join to see) - Could not agree more! Would be bad to let him go at this point. Besides, both the Navy CoC and POTUS can gain in the short term much from his retention. But, as a "maverick" style leader, he also has to really now watch his back. But, he'll have 5,000+ sailors keeping watch.
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COL (Join to see)
CPO Nate S. - He will never see promotion and as a new O-6, he needs to complete 3 years in that rank to retire as an O-6. I expect that the Navy will let him serve his term as TR Commander, then put him ashore for a year before he retires. He can take the 3 years to prepare for his transition.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
My guess is he will retire as a Captain because some of the admirals won't want to promote him.
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He did notified his chain of command. They tough it was not worthy to make a big deal about the situation. He took the right decision for his sailors. By the way, that requires CHARACTER AND VALUES BEYOND SELF.
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He reminds me of WO4 that l once worked for. Mr. Viera was a man l would follow straight into hell. He was hard on you if you screwed up but he took your side against everyone. We handled problems at the local area. We never had Captain's mast while he was there.
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but his was not an "open" letter. He wrote a letter up his chain of command that was "leaked" to the press. And it's not been proven at all that Captain Crozier was behind the leak.
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CPO Nate S.
SCPO (Join to see) So far, it seems that way. I have not seen any direct evidence. But, read this response carefully:
https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112537
You tell me how this reads to you. The language used in very, very interesting to me. As an "Investigator" what is your "critical thinking" take on the language?
https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112537
You tell me how this reads to you. The language used in very, very interesting to me. As an "Investigator" what is your "critical thinking" take on the language?
Statement From SECNAV on Relief of CO Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)
Statement from the Acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas B. Modly, regarding the relief of the Commanding Officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
I realize that he was responsible for all that his men and women did or failed to do. However, when the skipper wants to send a message, what the procedure? Call his or her Yeoman/Yeomanette in and dictate the message. He/she takes it to the Comm Center or whatever the Navy calls it, and relays skipper's instructions on how to send it.
I've not heard whether it was leaked by a person or was intercepted. The report is that it was sent in the clear, so interception is as likely as leaking.
I've not heard whether it was leaked by a person or was intercepted. The report is that it was sent in the clear, so interception is as likely as leaking.
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SSG Dennis R.
The Commander did what he believed was necessary and should probably retire. Walk out with head held high.
The disgusting response by the current, acting political appointee, another ass-licking acolyte of Covidiot Bone Spurs is an insult to anyone whoever wore a uniform. There was a whole lot of failed jr-officer misplaced rage in his statement.
My condolences to those who had to listen to that hate-spewing vermin in person.
The disgusting response by the current, acting political appointee, another ass-licking acolyte of Covidiot Bone Spurs is an insult to anyone whoever wore a uniform. There was a whole lot of failed jr-officer misplaced rage in his statement.
My condolences to those who had to listen to that hate-spewing vermin in person.
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Since CAPTAIN B.E. Crozier, of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) was [1] fully aware of the nuclear capabilities and weapons on board that ship, [2] he obviously new proper communication and [3] he should be aware of minimum security requirements for his ship; IMHO it was wrong of him to leak the information, My fried CPO Nate S.. Risks are a fact of military life. Long ago I was read on for a PRP mission during the Cold War. I understood that the missions we were assigned would most likely result in our death if the war broke out.
Since you limited the options to 3 and number 2 is biased in construction, I am picking 3 unsure. I would have selected other if that was an option.
Since you limited the options to 3 and number 2 is biased in construction, I am picking 3 unsure. I would have selected other if that was an option.
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CPO Nate S.
LTC Stephen F. Understood! I am not always a big fan of simple YES or NO responses in certain circumstance, as they don't often tell a broader story. So, I concede - construction! But, it was by design and tells me something I wanted to know!
So that you know, I was responsible for tracking PRP, medically at least, and yes the CO did have to know the three things you stated. Yet, there are a handful people (officer and enlisted) trained in nuclear engineering on a CVN. If the entire engineering department begins to go down and something goes wrong will the skipper send an F-15 jockey to the nuclear plant to operate it? I would hope not! That would be like send the Supply Officer to fly a Strike Eagle. Remember, he is a decorated fighter pilot whom I am sure made 100's of tactical calculations a minute when he regularly flew in his younger days. I am also quite sure, he used the same critical tactical thinking in this situation.
The skipper, I am quite sure, knew full well what he was doing, again for the three reasons you outlined. Also, yes, there are fail-safes on nuclear vessels but a fail-safe is only as good as its maintenance process maintains. Those nuclear engineers, if health compromised could make a mistake and such a mistake could have been catastrophic and geo-politically unrecoverable!
Yes, military life is hazardous-risky!!! No question!!! Been their, have that pile of t-shirts in a trunk somewhere in the house. There is no where more risky than an Aircraft Carrier, perhaps because I served on one and have seen this up close and personal.
Today we face increasing threats from enemies that will impact us in ways long before we push the 1st button to fire our weapons. From American Indians being infected with smallpox by the British military in the 1700's to, German germ warfare efforts in WWI (some researchers believed sparked the 1918 global flu pandemic) and other issues of biological and chemical warfare. We have to know the truths of the "ways and means" of our enemies so we can defend against them.
Also, CAPT Kevin B. makes some key points as well. There are ticking time-bombs and he is 100% correct they are dangerous, like a Command Master Chief I use to work for. I would agree that the resume language while 0.1% funny that an officer "thought" that language was appropriate, it is in fact damn scary, 99.9% scary IMHO. Happy someone was present to put that train wreck back on track. Also, I am not sure that he could not separate the "...crisis from the communications...", rather he knew that such compartmentalizing was going to be dangerous on a number of levels. I am also sure, with the guidance of his SMO (Senior Medical Officer), that he must have sent a Personal CASREP/SITREP that demonstrated a degrading personal readiness status aboard a nuclear combat vessel. He would have been "obligated" to do this. This would or should have accompanied a medical SITREP as a joining report. This would (should) be a matter of record.
Finally, does anyone think that reporting deaths by suicide has more or less importance than SITREPS for current medical status or that there is not a process for this contingency? Examples of guidance:
(https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/suicide_prevention/command/Pages/DoDSERStepByStep.aspx)
https://www.pacom.mil/Portals/55/Documents/pdf/J07_USPACOM_DIRECTIVE_FOR_MED_SITREP_MED_COP_SOP%2019%20JAN%2018.pdf?ver=2018-01-25-134357-833.
As an aside, these links might also be interesting to you:
https://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/swmag/Pages/Surface-Warfare-A-Running-Fix.aspx
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/28548/the-combat-information-center-in-japans-new-frigate-is-like-a-starships-bridge
https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Inside-DOD/
In closing, if the CO (one man) "feel on his sword" to potentially save a nation's combat readiness by exposing a weakness that will impact global armies/navies, we have to ask - will his apparent sacrifice be honestly understood (OR) will it be a "railroad job" to achieve political expedience, thus leaving our military (our navy) even weaker, because lessons are unwilling to be learned and implemented so our navy can always fight and win! It is not, as far as we may currently know, like he was actively spying for the Chinese or anyone else and profiting from it secretly like others (e.g. the real Benedict Arnold's of the world) that have been highly and lowly placed have until they are caught.
Also, [11938: 51z-acquisitions] makes an interesting point I have actually seen take place when he says - "Was it an open letter or was it leaked by someone?" Makes you wonder???!!!??? Not conspiracy theory, something we all know takes place at some level.
Just a few thoughts from an "ole sailor"............................
So that you know, I was responsible for tracking PRP, medically at least, and yes the CO did have to know the three things you stated. Yet, there are a handful people (officer and enlisted) trained in nuclear engineering on a CVN. If the entire engineering department begins to go down and something goes wrong will the skipper send an F-15 jockey to the nuclear plant to operate it? I would hope not! That would be like send the Supply Officer to fly a Strike Eagle. Remember, he is a decorated fighter pilot whom I am sure made 100's of tactical calculations a minute when he regularly flew in his younger days. I am also quite sure, he used the same critical tactical thinking in this situation.
The skipper, I am quite sure, knew full well what he was doing, again for the three reasons you outlined. Also, yes, there are fail-safes on nuclear vessels but a fail-safe is only as good as its maintenance process maintains. Those nuclear engineers, if health compromised could make a mistake and such a mistake could have been catastrophic and geo-politically unrecoverable!
Yes, military life is hazardous-risky!!! No question!!! Been their, have that pile of t-shirts in a trunk somewhere in the house. There is no where more risky than an Aircraft Carrier, perhaps because I served on one and have seen this up close and personal.
Today we face increasing threats from enemies that will impact us in ways long before we push the 1st button to fire our weapons. From American Indians being infected with smallpox by the British military in the 1700's to, German germ warfare efforts in WWI (some researchers believed sparked the 1918 global flu pandemic) and other issues of biological and chemical warfare. We have to know the truths of the "ways and means" of our enemies so we can defend against them.
Also, CAPT Kevin B. makes some key points as well. There are ticking time-bombs and he is 100% correct they are dangerous, like a Command Master Chief I use to work for. I would agree that the resume language while 0.1% funny that an officer "thought" that language was appropriate, it is in fact damn scary, 99.9% scary IMHO. Happy someone was present to put that train wreck back on track. Also, I am not sure that he could not separate the "...crisis from the communications...", rather he knew that such compartmentalizing was going to be dangerous on a number of levels. I am also sure, with the guidance of his SMO (Senior Medical Officer), that he must have sent a Personal CASREP/SITREP that demonstrated a degrading personal readiness status aboard a nuclear combat vessel. He would have been "obligated" to do this. This would or should have accompanied a medical SITREP as a joining report. This would (should) be a matter of record.
Finally, does anyone think that reporting deaths by suicide has more or less importance than SITREPS for current medical status or that there is not a process for this contingency? Examples of guidance:
(https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/suicide_prevention/command/Pages/DoDSERStepByStep.aspx)
https://www.pacom.mil/Portals/55/Documents/pdf/J07_USPACOM_DIRECTIVE_FOR_MED_SITREP_MED_COP_SOP%2019%20JAN%2018.pdf?ver=2018-01-25-134357-833.
As an aside, these links might also be interesting to you:
https://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/swmag/Pages/Surface-Warfare-A-Running-Fix.aspx
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/28548/the-combat-information-center-in-japans-new-frigate-is-like-a-starships-bridge
https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Inside-DOD/
In closing, if the CO (one man) "feel on his sword" to potentially save a nation's combat readiness by exposing a weakness that will impact global armies/navies, we have to ask - will his apparent sacrifice be honestly understood (OR) will it be a "railroad job" to achieve political expedience, thus leaving our military (our navy) even weaker, because lessons are unwilling to be learned and implemented so our navy can always fight and win! It is not, as far as we may currently know, like he was actively spying for the Chinese or anyone else and profiting from it secretly like others (e.g. the real Benedict Arnold's of the world) that have been highly and lowly placed have until they are caught.
Also, [11938: 51z-acquisitions] makes an interesting point I have actually seen take place when he says - "Was it an open letter or was it leaked by someone?" Makes you wonder???!!!??? Not conspiracy theory, something we all know takes place at some level.
Just a few thoughts from an "ole sailor"............................
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It is a difficult decision of command, especially when dealing with a capital warship, and though we are not at war, the boundaries are thin. A commander always has to weigh the safety of his unit against that of the mission. This was/is a casualty not brought on by the actions or inactions of the Capt. , the crew, or the ship. The question comes down to was good judgement exercised in publishing the letter via unsecured channels, and did it bring unwarranted attention in a critical time? And I do not believe the CoC had any influence on the decision to remove Capt. Croziers, but SECNAV and members of the senior staff did.
As for any of our adversaries thinking this is a means by which to take out a strategic asset, if it were a different scenario the decision would have been to fight and decontaminate the ship.
As for any of our adversaries thinking this is a means by which to take out a strategic asset, if it were a different scenario the decision would have been to fight and decontaminate the ship.
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PO3 Donald Murphy
If he did not get the answer he desired through secured channels then how he carelessly felt a public airing of it would produce an answer is just flabergasting. And shows how easy it was for the removing admiral to make that decision.
The ship wasn't sinking. He was the bottom rung on the chain of command. He had several steps to go. He chose not to take them.
The ship wasn't sinking. He was the bottom rung on the chain of command. He had several steps to go. He chose not to take them.
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SSG Bob Teachout
I was chewed up by an O-4 because I told an O-8 that my men had some morale problems. Within 8 hours - their morale went up 100%, I have never regretted what I did.
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I thought it was a ploy to fool our enemies that we might be weaker than we appear. Therefore, drop that other shoe.
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