“He failed flights for what he says were viewed in the squadron as relatively minor mistakes, such as “safing” an ejection seat and forgetting to re-arm for takeoff.”
MINOR mistakes? Let’s see...I did 2500 hours in fighters, and never, ever made THAT mistake!
Partial Ejection from A-6 Aircraft
http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/ejection-seats/partial-ejection-from-a-6-aircraft/3002376928001
Seat Belt Error May Have Led to Pilot’s Ejection Death
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/11/15/seat-belt-error-may-have-led-pilots-ejection-death.html
“forgetting to re-arm for takeoff”
Yeah. That one is like a death wish.
Forgetting to safe is like sentencing the crew chief to death.