Sources: USS San Francisco skipper faces admiral's mast in sub grounding

Stars & Stripes ^ | 2/11/5 | Jon R. Anderson

[American in Israel]

This is a shame. The man dedicated his life to the Navy and this nation.

So also did the man that died under his command. The guy may have been nothing but a cook, but cooking was his job, the Captains job is to not let the boat be run into the rocks. Every sailor on the ship is trusting the Captain, the Captain failed, the Captain paid, that is the way it works. Fault is not the issue, boat hit rock, that is the issue in the Navy. If the President himself ordered the Captain to run the ship into the rocks the Captain should and can say NO. That is the Captains job.

Responsibility comes before fault and cause in the Military. There is no excuses when dealing with nuclear weapons and the such, and the military is constructed with that in mind. To a civilian mind, that is unfair, but then, if you want life to be fair, don't join the military, it is not made fair, it is made military.

Hope that cleared the issue up.

[amigatec]

Instead of making JFK a hero for being in a war zone and shutting off his ships engines and then getting run over by a Jap destroyer. He should have been court martial.

I hadn't heard that, is there some place to check out this story?

[American in Israel]

Then how was he to have known it was there?

The problem was he did not know it was not there. One does not fly a thermonuclear submarine in the blind.

[doug from upland]

I understand the issue completely. God rest the soul of the sailor who died and may those injured heal okay. I still have compassion for a man who has served his nation for years. This is so tragic. Perhaps there might be some policy changes about running silent in certain areas.

[American in Israel]

Just damn... That boy did not hit the mountain, he plowed it. He is lucky not to have a boot print branded on his posterior as he left the mast. Poorly charted waters does not mean flank speed!

[killjoy]

That picture isn't going to save you Mister. Just remember when you go to sleep tonight and sleep calmly and soundly who made it possible for you to do that.

Lighten up, Francis.

[amigatec]

Al-thou I haven't seen it discussed here, but the Army Cpt that lead his troop into the ambush in Iraq, the one where we had POW's captured.

While it was very sad those troops were killed, I feel especially sad for that Cpt. Those troops were under his command, he was responsible for them losing their lives.

That is something he will live with for the rest of his live.

Cmd Mooney will also have to live with the fact that under his command that a Sailor died, that memory of that loss may be more than he can handle.

[Moonman62]

This is a shame. The man dedicated his life to the Navy and this nation.

It is, but the Navy doesn't want you if you've been unlucky.

[American in Israel]

Well with the Re-up rate being higher than any other ship in the Navy, you can tell this was one heck of a captain. A great loss to the Navy. Meant no disrespect to you, it is just the way it is.

[Getsmart64]

I watch JAG. Harm and Mac would have sent it to Court Martial, but not until they had finished investigating. Hmmmm, something is wrong here.

You watch TV. Maybe I should watch West Wing and think that is really how my government works.

[Getsmart64]

Now that was funny...lol

[Getsmart64]

Perhaps for the same reason fighter aircraft do not generally use their onboard radar systems unless they are actively engaged with a enemy or prospective enemy.

Uh...that is not a true statement...

[taxesareforever]

It's virtually a rule that if the captain runs his ship aground, he's finished. They don't generally accept excuses or mitigating factors. They expect perfection.

That is something the Marine Commandant does not subscribe to. He admits that we are human and humans are prone to err. He justs wants errors kept to a minimum. If you expect perfection no one will make the grade.

[Goodgirlinred]

Well, they are going to charge him now. So television is not so far from reality. I just heard on FOX this morning that he has been relieved of command and that they are going to charge him in relation to the mishap.

Your sarcasm was duly noted. I hate West Wing. They are a bunch of left wing liberals.

[Brilliant]

The Navy apparently doesn't agree with you:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1341774/posts

[Goodgirlinred]

Well, tell me what he should have done then.

[Goodgirlinred]

I admire all branches of the military. I am not putting them down. I just don't understand this situation. So, am I to understand that the Navy way is be perfect or else?

[Goodgirlinred]

Exactly. He said it in jest. I responded in kind. I am not that much of a dingbat.

[Goodgirlinred]

Well, then, how could he have known it was there?