Senior members of the House Armed Services Committee called the firing of USS Theodore Roosevelt Capt. Brett Crozier on Thursday an “overreaction” by Navy leadership that would endanger service members, hurt the fleet’s ability to fight, and discourage other service members from speaking out on critical safety issues.[Stands]
“[W]e are very concerned about the chilling effect this dismissal will have on commanders throughout the Department of Defense,” wrote committee Democrats, including Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Subcommittee Chairs Joe Courtney (D-CT), John Garamendi (D-CA), and Jackie Speier (D-CA) in a press release.
“Dismissing a commanding officer for speaking out on issues critical to the safety of those under their command discourages others from raising similar concerns,” they said.
...
“While Captain Crozier clearly went outside the chain of command, his dismissal at this critical moment – as the Sailors aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt are confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic – is a destabilizing move that will likely put our service members at greater risk."
[Clap] [Clap] [Clap]
When the Chairman of the Armed Forces Committee is publicly rebuking the Acting SECNAV, it's time for him to make up two new envelopes. Oh, and other House Democrats are sore, too:
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) also blasted Navy leadership for the decision to fire Crozier.This. A Million times this.
“I learned on my first day in the Marines that having the courage to speak truth to power is grounds for respect not grounds for relief,” Moulton tweeted on Thursday. “This is far from the first time in the last several years that Congress is going to have a lot of questions for Navy leadership—on leadership.”
BZ to the House Democrats. I don't think I've said that before.
On a personal note, I've watched this unfold over the last week because my Son-In-Law is on that ship. The families of the crew had been receiving daily emails from the Captain explaining what was happening and what he was doing. Every day.
That is the kind of transparency earns respect. That's leading from the front. Acting SECNAV Modly is not leading from the front. On the contrary, he appears to be nothing but a stuffed shirt desk jockey.
Make up two new envelopes, matey.
Hat tip to The Queen Of The World, who's about ready to keel haul the SECNAV.
7 comments:
Modly is unfit to shine the boots of CAPT Crozier.
CAPT Crozier should never have to buy a drink for the rest of his life.
Endorsed, on both points.
I think that Trump should fire Modly, fire CINCPAC, and personally assign Crozier back to command of the TR. And then send a memo to every Star at Pentagon asking if anyone had anything to say about it.
I just found this...https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112537&fbclid=IwAR2RxQTUtS9tI5htKkGhshMhiADSHK4SIzFdgHZJC4gctBQpHky0td6inVs#.XodZwtsU21s.facebook
AS a former sailor, this seems a fitting answer to my questions...if the CO was unable to be heard any other way, then being removed seems an appropriate response. I respect his decision, but I cannot support his action in spreading the news so widely. If he had resigned at the same time as releasing the email, I would look at this differently...
may your son in law and his shipmates recover and continuing serving this great nation.
I do agree about the two envelopes, as well,,,this is a failure of more than just one man...
How is your son? Okay?
So what is Trump to do when the Captains of USNS Comfort or USNS Mercy decide their crew safety is at risk and pull out? Captain Crozier now decides navy policy just like LTC VIndman and the man whose name Chief Justice Roberts wouldn't allow to be spoken at the impeachment trial decided Ukraine policy?
BP, as a 10-year Navy veteran who saw more politically-generated crap and demotions than anyone should ever see, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment.
I'd go one step further: a full outside review of every high-ranking military officer in the Pentagon. A house-cleaning is long due.
And yes, return the CO to his command, fire those who ignored his previous emails (I'm sure there were several), and make it all very public. The military's sole job is to maintain readiness, and any officer who believes otherwise for any reason should be immediately removed.
Antibubba, my Son-In-Law is in quarantine (3 or 4 of his reports tested positive) but does not have the virus.
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