Posted on 04/06/2020 4:51:49 AM PDT by knighthawk
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said he “had no discussions with anyone at the White House prior to making the decision” to relieve Capt. Brett Crozier, according to a report on Sunday.
Navy sources had said that Modly told a colleague President Trump wanted Crozier fired. Modly told the Washington Post that he wanted to make the move before Trump ordered the captain out.
“I didn’t want to get into a decision where the president would feel that he had to intervene because the Navy couldn’t be decisive,” Modly said, according to the paper.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The man put the security of an entire US carrier fleet in jeopardy. Hoisted the white flag from one of our aircraft carrier to tell our enemies that we are sick and lame and cant help ourselves even though we have a fully staffed trauma center open 24/7 right here on the ship.
The man deserves to be in Leavenworth.
Relieving him was an absolute no-brainer. I personally think he should be given a court-martial, but I doubt that will happen.
“It’s like the difference between General McClellan and General Grant. One dithered and complained. The other just got stuff done.”
Meaningful analogy.
His career was ending and he got his resume out to the public just in time. Im sure some defense contractor will pick him up in short order.
Sure it is; it’s about confidence in one’s subordinates; as examples, read up on Washington, Lincoln, Eisenhower.
Hopefully this is an indication that unauthorized use of unsecured email is actually a thing.
I am sure that you are correct - he knew that he’d be relieved. Hard to find leaders that committed anymore. Hope he and the men with him who have that disease recover well.
We don’t need to know any more than the Captain endangered the ship by telling the world that it was not combat ready, a huge act of stupidity.
As far as I know he did not send his letter to the press, but sent it to about 20 people on a unsecured outside the chain of command.
His direct line of command was actually on his ship at the time....
Once that letter appeared in the Sacramento Bee, he was done.
He spoke openly to media about a possibly disabled carrier. China and Russia are grateful and can plan accordingly.
I’ve relayed similar sentiments elsewhere, but I think the whole story has yet to be told.
The publicly leaked memo was almost certainly written knowing it would end his command of the ship. Either it was an admission that he was out of his league, or that the people he tried to get to respond effectively (the strike group ADM was just one of probably a half dozen people involved in that decision-making process) decided to dither.
When you hit the Pentagon, the only thing that matters as a military officer is getting a good evaluation so you can keep advancing your career. That means you either make the guy or gal you report to happy at all costs, or you decide your lifelong goal of getting into the Admiral/General club isn’t going to happen.
The Capt could still be the bad guy in this, but the praise he got in the announcement of his removal from command doesn’t look like it.
If it was an enlisted man that did this, captains mast, loss of rank, fine and brig time would be given.
Junior officers usually just disappear (transferred or asked to resign the commission).
Senior officers would end up behind a desk counting erasers.
These are just the minimums.
This guy not only disclosed ships movement, but also combat readiness.
We will never hear from him again.
GEEBUS CAN’T THESE MILITARY KEEP THEIR MOUTHS SHUT???
Imagine this guy in a combat situation. Can’t handle pressure or make logical decisions. Big deal if he was a fighter pilot, probably the first to get shot down. He is a total worm. As said before he didn’t “fight his ship!”
I’m former enlisted Navy. FTG2
Until the SECNAV stepped in, no one from the admiral in command of the battle group to the CNO has even made a peep about it. They were wanting it to be a political hit against the administration.
“I wish President Trump would intervene to reinstate Capt. Crozier as he did for the that Navy SEAL - and fire that “acting” Navy Secretary.”
I thought the Secretary’s letter about the episode explained it well and action taken appropriate.
He was relieved from command of the carrier. He is still in the Navy and still a Captain, although in quarantine after testing positive.
There is another story going around is that the Navy didn’t want to make a decision. Knowing of the current Navy leadership, I can believe it. Remember it’s never a Navy Admiral’s fault, it’s always the Captain that takes the fall. For example, the two Destroyers that ran into tankers a couple of years ago.
That’ what it looks like to me. Another case of military brass punting to civilian leadership in the Age of Trump. I don’t believe this will harm the Captain’s career at all.
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