GITMO Base Commander Relieved for "Loss of Confidence"?

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:09:37 -0500

I made the title a question because "loss of confidence" seems to be the new code speak way of saying the officer was caught in some sort of indiscretion. In this case, I heard on the radio today that Captain Nettleton is being investigated for an affair with the spouse of someone at GITMO who recently died. (Here's a report on that story: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/01/21/guantanamo-commander-relieved-amid-probe-into-man-death-officials-say/)

They do at least describe it as "misconduct." I'm just wondering about the new (to me, at least) terminology of "loss of confidence."

What are your thoughts?

Here's the story:

The U.S. Navy relieved the commander of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay for unspecified “misconduct” on Wednesday.

Capt. John Nettleton was fired by Rear Adm. Mary Jackson, head of Navy Region Southeast, “due to loss of confidence in Nettleton’s ability to command,” the region said in a press release, Navy Times reported Wednesday.

A Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation is ongoing into the captain’s misconduct.

“Due to an ongoing NCIS investigation, it is not appropriate for the Navy to provide additional details concerning the relief,” Navy Region Southeast’s release said, the newspaper reported.

Captain Nettleton took control of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in June 2012.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/21/john-nettleton-guantanamo-base-commander-relieved-/#ixzz3PYUKDsFx

John Nettleton, GITMO base commander, relieved of duty for ‘misconduct’

The U.S. Navy relieved the commander of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay for unspecified “misconduct” on Wednesday.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2015 8:40 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:40:07 -0500

Check out the Fox News story, which has more info on the alleged back story:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/01/21/guantanamo-commander-relieved-amid-probe-into-man-death-officials-say/

Guantanamo commander relieved of duty amid probe into man's death, officials say

The commanding officer of the Navy base at Guantanamo Bay was relieved of duty Wednesday due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command, the Navy said, and officials say he's under investigation in connection with an alleged affair with a woman on the base and the recent death of her husband.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jan 22 at 2015 8:43 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:43:06 -0500

I think that term is just a "catch all" phrase used to get the initial information out. Usually, more specifics concerning the actual cause for the relief (and resultant loss of confidence) are made public (sometimes officially and sometime not).

In most of these cases, the relief comes before the formal investigation and/or disciplinary action, if any, are completed. As such, to be more specific about the allegations may be an injustice to the alleged offender, if later found not guilty or if there were extenuating circumstances. Typically, there is enough evidence to remove the person from a position of trust and responsibility, even if it was just a perception of wrongdoing that is later disproved. Allowing oneself to be in a position that causes the perception is, in many cases, sufficient justification for the relief, as it displays a poor lack of judgment.