Posted on Jan 16, 2018
Navy files homicide charges against commanders of 2 ships in deadly crashes
41.9K
14
13
4
4
0
What are you thoughts on this? I am interested in your thoughts, as in my current job, we address command and command responsibility.
In my former life, I have often spoken to Lieutenants and Captains about the white and black nature of command, and especially command responsibility.
In my former life, I have often spoken to Lieutenants and Captains about the white and black nature of command, and especially command responsibility.
Navy files homicide charges against commanders of 2 ships in deadly crashes
Posted from foxnews.com
Command
Responsibility
Officer
CSM
CPO
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 6
2
2
0
I just posted this too, Colonel, sorry. I fully expected court martials and the end of their careers but did not see homicide coming at ALL. I think this is political. If you start charging officers who lose troops with homicide every time...seems like that's a bad can of worms to open.
(2)
(0)
COL Charles Williams
Sorry.... SN Greg Wright ... I guess I was too slow on the draw. For the reasons stated, I pay close attention to these. I agree with your assessment. But, I also know from research, the USN relieves more commanders than any other service; usually ship related mishaps or accidents. But, relief and criminal charges are not the same, nor do they go hand in hand.
(1)
(0)
SN Greg Wright
COL Charles Williams - I just worry that this will become a trend. I really, really hope this is a one-off. If officers have to start worrying about this every time during an engagement, it's going to completely alter the entire paradigm of their thinking, and I can't help but think that will significantly reduce their combat effectiveness, and that of the unit as well. That said, I'm not defending these guys at all, they clearly screwed the pooch. I just wonder if this is the best signal to send, and how the officer corps will receive it.
(1)
(0)
COL Charles Williams
SN Greg Wright - Roger. I could not find your post? I actually searched before and after I posted it.
(1)
(0)
SN Greg Wright
COL Charles Williams - No worries Colonel. I just didn't want you to think I was trying to step on yours lol. *Shrugs* It happens on RP.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
When I was in, a sub captain lost two sailors in rough seas off the coast of Scotland. They were trying to get the local pilot off the boat after they were outside the breakwater. The sailors that went topside were not wearing the required helmets and had extensions on their tethers which allowed them to be repeatedly slammed against the side of the hull after they were thrown overboard. It was certainly the captain’s responsibility, but if I remember correctly, he was simply removed from command. It had become common practice throughout the sub fleet to operate the way they were, even though it violated written procedures.
If the complacency described in the article is a common problem throughout the surface fleet, it makes me uncomfortable that the Navy is going after these commanders. It’s hard to really come down on somebody for not upholding a standard that isn’t being upheld elsewhere.
If the complacency described in the article is a common problem throughout the surface fleet, it makes me uncomfortable that the Navy is going after these commanders. It’s hard to really come down on somebody for not upholding a standard that isn’t being upheld elsewhere.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
If the Commanders of these ships allowed regulations and duties unchecked in the performance of the ships navigation then the 15-6 investigations will bring this to light. Ultimate responsibility lies with the Commander of any organization and it's their job to train, lead, direct, and resource their commands. This includes training, sampling, and ensuring that their staffs and teams are operating at the highest levels, especially when operating billions of dollars in equipment. If they executed their duties properly as Commanders then the trials and investigations will show that in the end. I'm hopeful that the Navy isn't on a "witch hunt" and isn't just throwing these Commanders under the bus to satisfy families, the public, and bureaucracy! Just my two cents COL Charles Williams
(1)
(0)
COL Charles Williams
COL Mikel J. Burroughs I understand all you said, and Command Responsibility quite well. I am just concerned about the witch hunt possibility, or making an example, or having to demonstrate this is being addressed. Horrible situations anyone you look at it. The key too, is doing all we can to prevent this again.
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Who is more responsible? The Commanders, the previous commanders, the commanders previous to the previous commanders, the inherited company grades just punching their next ticket for their next look, the NCOs that have been there forever that foster and reenforce the lax attitudes and the repressive environments that prevent spot corrections of the appropriate things, the sailors that won't stand up or stand out to fix things because they just wat to get by and make the next promotion in the popularity contest, or the bone heads that stretch the rules until they break themselves and others?
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google