Laywer: Forrest Sherman CO was fired for turning rusted AK-47 into war trophy for his ship

Feigning ignorance is a non starter. There is a detailed procedure for recovered arms and munitions. Since it was part of the ship's mission to do that, the ex Skipper's excuse just confirmed why he was relieved. I found a brand new Ma Deuce on Adak and had an interesting time trying to turn that in. Didn't think it should go in HHG.

There's got to be more to this story.

Years ago a Pentagon Admiral (think I recall the name etc but won’t chance misidentification) tried to bring back an AK from a Southeast Asia trip. In truth sneaked aboard Navy a/c but claimed ignorance. Ignorance??? We all knew war weapon souvenirs were prohibited in the ‘60-70s though many still tried. The Admiral was a JO in those days. Basically stoppered his career, but hey a 2 or 3 star retirement ain’t bad.

Agree with CSM Stafford, there is a lot more here to this story though I’ve not pursued it.

In any case, a two yr tour of a lifetime for a surface warfare officer ends days before the coveted change of command? If the AK was symptomatic of a larger issue, how did he survive 2 years considering how many have been fired within months to less than a year for the ignoble “loss of confidence.” That “non-legal” terminology is so amorphous as to be nearly non-appealable. Even if exonerated, he still missed that change of command and may even lose the authorization to wear the coveted “Command at Sea” pin. Then there are the other great assigns that evaporated over that rusty gun.

If it’s only over the weapon, my heart breaks for him and his family who lived through his times at sea and multiple deployments. What a waste of all the resources to make the man a CO of a fine fighting ship.

In any case the confidence in that chain of command under which other ship COs are serving is greatly shaken by the capriciousness of the actions. We want bold commanders to sail into harms way to prosecute the enemy not ones looking over their shoulder. I want a CO who’s willing to rub sides with the Russian playing chicken in the Black Sea. The paint scrapes should be a badge of honor as it was in the 60s-70s. But shining an AK from a cache of illegal weapons for a ship’s display and getting fired? Yeah that works for me in encouraging the Arleigh Burke and Zumwalt fighting spirit. Flag officers have very few years in actual command and many are just plain lucky.

The Admiral involved is an aviator who only experienced AOCS (aviation OCS) and only commanded a medium amphib ship with several months in overhaul a transit through to Pearl where he was relieved as the ship progressed to Japan. In short not one day as part of a fleet exercise or operation. But he got his qual. and never exposed otherwise to life at sea as a ships officer on something other than carriers. Such is the problem when like experienced officers have never served on a greyhound as a ships officer. Only one tour on an amphib as a CO in order to get his deep draft qual out of the way. Yes. others are part of the process. But the buck stops with the Admiral.