Capt Robert Tarrant walks to the hearing with his wife Tracy
Posted on 01/09/2006 9:16:40 PM PST by SmithL
A SUBMARINE captain berated his subordinates with such rage that his face became "gorged" with blood and his tirades made a lieutenant ill and reduced him to tears, a court martial heard yesterday.
The case, being heard at Portsmouth Naval Base, relates to Capt Robert Tarrant's period of command of the nuclear-powered Trafalgar-class submarine HMS Talent, based at Devonport.
Judge advocate Jack Bayliss ruled that a substantial part of the case is to be heard in secret because the evidence is likely to include information relevant to national security.
Commander Alison Towler, prosecuting, said Capt Tarrant's behaviour towards his subordinates could not be excused by the stress of being involved in top-secret missions.
Cmdr Towler said that Capt Tarrant would embark on a "ritual" of shouting and abuse, sometimes personal, which was disproportionate to the complaint and would often leave the crew member in tears and afraid of him.
She said: "The prosecution accepts a commanding officer has the right to admonish his subordinates and an operation may require forcible and immediate action which leaves no room for tact.
"However, the prosecution says Captain Tarrant's conduct was unwarranted and far beyond robust leadership and management."
Cmdr Towler said Capt Tarrant's conduct towards his crew would remain civil and appropriate while in dock, but within days of being at sea or on operation he would become increasingly abusive.
The first of five charges, which all date back to between February 1998 and July 1999, involves Lieutenant Ryan Ramsey, who claims the constant "tirades" made him physically sick when he had to begin his shift and led to his becoming withdrawn and losing weight.
Cmdr Towler said that Lt Ramsey claims Capt Tarrant would shout at him for up to 20 minutes with his face only 5cm away from his own.
She added: "Lt Ramsey felt scared of Captain Tarrant. His verbal abuse left him in tears. Lt Ramsey noticed his [Capt Tarrant's] face would gorge with blood during these shouting episodes.
"He considered himself to be abused, harassed and bullied by Captain Tarrant."
The second charge relates to Capt Tarrant's conduct towards Chief Petty Officer Cosxwain (Submarines) Neil Maitland, who claims he would be the subject of shouting and intimidating criticism for no reason.
Captain Tarrant, 44, denies four charges of ill-treating officers under his command through repeated, unjustified, verbal abuse, and a fifth charge against a rating.
The hearing continues.
You Brute,
You Brute,
You Viscious Brute!
Glad these pu$$ies aren't in our military.
The royal navy has come full circle
And this is the same Royal Navy that used to routinely abuse the daylights out of every midshipman they had? Hmm.
}:-)4
There's no crying in submarining! 
ah, bubbleheads :)
Abusing the troops under your command physically or mentally can and should get the CO relieved post haste.
L
Ah, for the grand old days of 50 lashes and a keelhauling!
Where is Captain Bligh when we need him?
Never spent any time with a USMC NCO, I see.
She's thinking..."but...but I like it when he does that!"
That's a myth.
These guys should be happy for a little shouting. They could have gotten the rum, lash and sodomy Royal Navy.
Conduct unbecoming of an officer, especially a naval Captain.
And it is counterproductive - disloyal troops don't win wars.
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