Sailors complain of abuse from their commander, captain relieved of her command

Cox News ^ | 3-5-10 | PAULINE JELINEK, Associated Press Writer

[cajuncow]

WASHINGTON (Associated Press) -- A Navy captain was demoted because she berated and assaulted her crew, not because she led her guided missile cruiser on a drag-race with another U.S. warship in the Pacific, an investigation shows.

Capt. Holly Graf was relieved of her command of the cruiser USS Cowpens after an investigation substantiated crew allegations that she was abusive and used her position for personal gain, naval officials said Thursday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record.

[Disambiguator]

The perp:

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

and once throwing wadded up paper at another sailor

Sweet heavens! What have we become. The Nazis would have ripped through a military like this like they ripped through Belgium.

[bcsco]

Among allegations not substantiated was one that she endangered the ship while allowing a drag-race between the Cowpens and the destroyer USS John S. McCain in February 2009.

Huh. Did McCain lose another race...?

[Moose4]

I never served, so I can't comment much on the "drag race" or her "abuse" of juniors, but this entry stuck out at me:

The report also found she used her office for personal gain _ that is, asked junior officers to play piano at her private Christmas party and to walk her dogs.

That's pretty out of the ordinary, I'd assume?

}:-)4

[central_va]

Product of W.I.M.P. Women in the Military Program

[domenad]

Is she behind that dude in the photo?

[ALPAPilot]

Is she behind that dude in the photo?

No that photo is the reason she was sent to the "Cow pen."

[wita]

A Navy captain was demoted

A demotion to most military folks means just that. If you were a Captain, you no longer are. I see no evidence of demotion, anywhere in the article. She lost command of a ship. A demotion ought to be in order, but would take different action than the IG report could accomplish, although the report could be evidence in the case against her, should demotion be sought by the Navy.

[highnoon]

>>Is she behind that dude in the photo?<<

LOL....she looks just like a restaurant manager I had in my college days. We used to call her Jimmy...

[Pavegunner72]

My EYES!! Someone quickly get me a picture of Lauren Holly in “Down Periscope” to expunge that horrible image!!

[tgusa]

related thread, different details:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2464025/posts

[ClearCase_guy]

Capt. Holly Graf was relieved of her command

She may be lying to cover up some of the details, but her sister Polly may know the truth.

[central_va]

You boys going to walk the dog?

[central_va]

Is she behind that dude in the photo?

Possible post of the day....

[subterfuge]

Sweet heavens! What have we become. The Nazis would have ripped through a military like this like they ripped through Belgium.

No doubt. When I was in high school shop class back in the 70s my shop teacher threw a 2 x 4 at me. No one batted an eye...and I probably deserved it.

[FatherofFive]

Graf assaulted subordinates (pushing one, grabbing another and once throwing wadded up paper at another sailor) and that she regularly verbally abused subordinates by publicly berating them, belittling them and using profane language

This happens in "Beetle Bailey" almost every day. Sarge is in trouble.

[RGSpincich]

LOL

[mgstarr]

Don’t ask, don’t tell.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Sweet heavens! What have we become. The Nazis would have ripped through a military like this like they ripped through Belgium."

I disagree. There's a huge difference between a leader who is extremely demanding and one who is outright abusive. From everything I've read, this officer was the latter. We don't need commanders like this in any branch of the military.