Top enlisted Marine on West Coast fired

The senior enlisted leader of Camp Pendleton-based I Marine Expeditionary Force was relieved of his duties Tuesday by I MEF commanding general Lt. Gen. George Smith, the Marines said in a statement.
Sgt. Maj. Terrence Whitcomb, a 28-year Marine Corps veteran, was relieved “due to loss of trust and confidence in his abilities to fulfill his assigned duties,” the statement said. He assumed the role of sergeant major for I MEF in May, according to his Marine Corps biography, after serving in the same role at the 1st Marine Division — also on Camp Pendleton. The sergeant major is an advisor to the commanding general of the Marine Expeditionary Force.

“Loss of trust and confidence” can signify a wide range of causes for relief. I MEF did not provide any additional details on what contributed to the decision to fire Whitcomb.