Fired 7th Fleet admiral speaks out on what caused the Fitzgerald and McCain collisions

PO1 Tony Holland There it is in black and white. And in Navy Times no less! He did not seem to pull many punches, but the big question what is going to be done about OPTempo and manning, not to mention training. And will it extend through the entire pacific?

Aucoin was a scapegoat. The problem rested at the feet of Rowden (now fired as Surface Commander), Fleet Forces Command and CNO. FFC and CNO are still in their jobs...

I really love that we have a Commander who says that the commanding officers of ships need to say NO when their ships are not ready to deploy, RIGHT! That sure is a great way for any CO to continue his/her career in the Navy and rocket to the next promotion. Let's face it unless there is a major change in the way Navy does business, we will never change OPTEMPO vers Perstempo.

Yes, Westcoast ships may have an excess of people while Japan-based ships lack people, that is a detailing problem. I put my preferences on my "dream Sheet" many times and was often surprised to get even close (Guam and Germany both started with G - what did I expect?). We go where the needs of the Navy send us!