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Tuesday, April 07, 2020

Carrier Captain Torpedoes National Security

In the last week there has been some media attention regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on military readiness, including the Defense Department’s suspension of virtually all domestic and international travel by military personnel. Clearly, our military operations are not exempt from the viral impact.

But one particular story — a letter written by the now-former Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and published in the San Francisco Chronicle — received widespread attention. In that letter, CAPT Brett Crozier bemoaned the impact of the virus on his crew and pleaded for the Navy to take “decisive action” to stem its spread. While his concern for his crew was laudable, choosing to communicate his concerns and sensationalist tone in a way that was certain to end up in the public domain was not.

The media praise for Crozier was misguided, and he was appropriately relieved of his command.

News of his “re-assignment” was met with media accusations of a cover-up and praise for his great bravery in bucking the system. But Crozier wasn’t fired for speaking truth to power, as many would have you believe. He was fired for losing his cool in a high-pressure situation and improperly disclosing sensitive information — readiness status for a deployed, strategically significant asset. We’re not questioning the sincerity of his concerns for his crew, but his loss of composure raises serious questions about his fitness to command one of our nation’s premier war-fighting platforms.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly made things clear in his statement about Crozier’s actions: “As I learned more about the events of the past week on board USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71), including my personal conversations with the Strike Group Commander, Commander, SEVENTH Fleet, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Chief of Naval Operations, and CAPT Crozier himself, I could reach no other conclusion than that Captain Crozier had allowed the complexity of his challenge with COVID breakout on the ship to overwhelm his ability to act professionally, when acting professionally was what was needed most. We do, and we should, expect more from the Commanding Officers of our aircraft carriers.”

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12 comments:

Anonymous said...

In Hostile work environments all must be swept under the rug & shht rolls
downhill from the top down !!
All are oppressed & threatened & intimidated to keep Quiet !!

Anonymous said...

it's the military, what did you think you were signing up for? you sign those papers and you have now committed to protecting this nation no matter what!
Oh worried you might get hurt or worse die? wtf did you think you were signing up for?
Time to take a bite of that big ol sh!t sandwich and get on with the job at hand! Protecting this nation no matter what! personal costs are just that, personal!

Anonymous said...

He forgot the old adage "Loose Lips Sink Ships." That captain would have court-martialed any under his command that went over HIS head with a complaint about the readiness of his battleship. Guaranteed!!!!!

Anonymous said...

That SMART-ASS Assit Sec of Defense JUST GOT HIS TODAY !! LOL

RESIGNED ( Forced to, or be Fired ) on Fox News today !!! Love it !!!

His arrogant stupid self flew all the way to Guam to the carrier to run his
mouth on the Loudspeaker , bad mouthing the Captain !!! DUMB !!!

Anonymous said...

Trump should Re-ins-state the Captain !!!

Anonymous said...

You are NOT FREE in the military > they own YOU (slave) Lock /Stock / &
Barrell , it is ALL in the Fine Print !! FACT

Anonymous said...

Capt got the Last Laugh today !! Assist Sec of Defense FIRED (of course
they just say Forced to Resign ) !!! LOL LOL

So, WHO was STUPID ???

Anonymous said...

To be such a brilliant person and to have behaved in such an ignorant manner is inexcusable. He violated the very basic tenets required in maintaining the chain of command and leadership principles known and exercised by every sailor from lowest rank to the highest.

Anonymous said...

You are funny

Military protects the Government
We serve the Government

Got it?

Anonymous said...

surprised he (capt) made it to that level of incompetence without getting fired earlier!

Anonymous said...

He TORPEDOED his Boss !!! LOL LOL Tube # 1 Away !!!

Anonymous said...

I have a question.. If Capt Crozier did nothing and waited for the
navy to take its time regarding the virus, and the entire crew became infected and usefulness of the ship became untenable.. Would He still have been subject to an enquiry fired??