osoab
3rd March 2011, 07:13 PM
Virginia: Ship Commander Fired (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/us/03brfs-SHIPCOMMANDE_BRF.html?_r=1)
The Navy fired a destroyer commander and a top aide and removed eight sailors from their Norfolk-based ship after misbehavior by the crew in overseas ports that included drunk and disorderly conduct. Cmdr. Nathan Borchers was relieved from the destroyer Stout in the Mediterranean on Tuesday. He had taken command in December. The Navy said it had lost confidence in his ability to address what it called a pattern of unprofessional behavior by his crew that included fraternization, orders violations and disregard for naval standards. Master Chief Susan Bruce-Ross, the highest ranking enlisted sailor aboard the ship, was also removed. The officers and the sailors were being reassigned to jobs in Norfolk.
CO, CMC of USS Stout relieved (http://www.wavy.com/dpp/military/Commanding-Officer-Command-Master-Chief-of-USS-Stout-relieved)
Eight others removed from the ship
Updated: Wednesday, 02 Mar 2011, 4:28 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 01 Mar 2011, 3:36 PM EST
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Navy says both the Commanding Officer and the Command Master Chief of the Norfolk-based USS Stout (DDG 55) were relieved of their duties on Tuesday. Eight other crew members were also removed from the ship.
Cmdr. Nathan Borchers, the CO of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was relieved due to what the Navy termed a "loss of confidence" in his ability to command.
The Navy says Master Chief Susan Bruce-Ross was also relieved from her CMC role due to "loss of confidence" in her ability to "effectively lead and serve as command master chief aboard Stout."
According to the Navy, the relief of Borchers occurred due to a loss of confidence in his ability to address a pervasive pattern of unprofessional behavior in overseas ports and a substandard command climate on board following an investigation into multiple allegations of crew misconduct.
"We hold our leaders to a high standard. Our Nation expects no less and our Sailors deserve no less," said Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet.
Stout is currently commanded by Capt. Dan Shaffer, Commander, Task Force 65, who will serve until the next commanding officer, Cmdr. Sylvester Steele, reports to the ship. U.S. 6th Fleet's command master chief, Master Chief Jay Wood, has taken over the duties as Stout's command master chief until his relief, Command Master Chief Anthony Cole, arrives on board.
Additionally, one officer, five chiefs and one petty officer were removed from the Stout following Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings for misconduct during incidents that occurred while on liberty ashore. Offenses included fraternization, orders violations and disregard for naval standards of conduct and behavior which contributed to poor crew morale and a hostile command climate.
Another chief was removed from the ship for further legal proceedings.
Borchers, Bruce-Ross and the other unidentified sailors were being reassigned to jobs in Norfolk.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the firings and discipline came after misbehavior by the crew in overseas ports that included drunk and disorderly conduct.
The port calls involved liberty leave for the sailors in Haifa in Israel, in Palermo and Augusta Bay in Sicily, Italy, and Souda Bay in the Greek Island of Crete, said Lt. Nate Curtis, a fleet spokesman.
The Navy did not identify what misbehavior may have occurred in a specific port. None of the misbehavior led to complaints by host nations, Curtis said.
Curtis declined to specify which orders involving port call were violated, but indicated one possibility was ignoring orders to go out with a "liberty buddy" for safety and security reasons, and instead going out alone.
The Navy said Cmdr. Steele was scheduled to board a plane Wednesday to begin preparations to command the Stout. Steele was most recently the executive officer of the destroyer USS Ramage.
Lt. Cmdr. Bill Urban, spokesman for Naval Surface Force Atlantic, said Steele was chosen for "his experience, stellar record and readiness to assume command."
CMC Cole most recently served at Naval Surface Force Atlantic headquarters in Norfolk.
The Stout is currently deployed in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
The Navy fired a destroyer commander and a top aide and removed eight sailors from their Norfolk-based ship after misbehavior by the crew in overseas ports that included drunk and disorderly conduct. Cmdr. Nathan Borchers was relieved from the destroyer Stout in the Mediterranean on Tuesday. He had taken command in December. The Navy said it had lost confidence in his ability to address what it called a pattern of unprofessional behavior by his crew that included fraternization, orders violations and disregard for naval standards. Master Chief Susan Bruce-Ross, the highest ranking enlisted sailor aboard the ship, was also removed. The officers and the sailors were being reassigned to jobs in Norfolk.
CO, CMC of USS Stout relieved (http://www.wavy.com/dpp/military/Commanding-Officer-Command-Master-Chief-of-USS-Stout-relieved)
Eight others removed from the ship
Updated: Wednesday, 02 Mar 2011, 4:28 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 01 Mar 2011, 3:36 PM EST
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Navy says both the Commanding Officer and the Command Master Chief of the Norfolk-based USS Stout (DDG 55) were relieved of their duties on Tuesday. Eight other crew members were also removed from the ship.
Cmdr. Nathan Borchers, the CO of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was relieved due to what the Navy termed a "loss of confidence" in his ability to command.
The Navy says Master Chief Susan Bruce-Ross was also relieved from her CMC role due to "loss of confidence" in her ability to "effectively lead and serve as command master chief aboard Stout."
According to the Navy, the relief of Borchers occurred due to a loss of confidence in his ability to address a pervasive pattern of unprofessional behavior in overseas ports and a substandard command climate on board following an investigation into multiple allegations of crew misconduct.
"We hold our leaders to a high standard. Our Nation expects no less and our Sailors deserve no less," said Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet.
Stout is currently commanded by Capt. Dan Shaffer, Commander, Task Force 65, who will serve until the next commanding officer, Cmdr. Sylvester Steele, reports to the ship. U.S. 6th Fleet's command master chief, Master Chief Jay Wood, has taken over the duties as Stout's command master chief until his relief, Command Master Chief Anthony Cole, arrives on board.
Additionally, one officer, five chiefs and one petty officer were removed from the Stout following Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings for misconduct during incidents that occurred while on liberty ashore. Offenses included fraternization, orders violations and disregard for naval standards of conduct and behavior which contributed to poor crew morale and a hostile command climate.
Another chief was removed from the ship for further legal proceedings.
Borchers, Bruce-Ross and the other unidentified sailors were being reassigned to jobs in Norfolk.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the firings and discipline came after misbehavior by the crew in overseas ports that included drunk and disorderly conduct.
The port calls involved liberty leave for the sailors in Haifa in Israel, in Palermo and Augusta Bay in Sicily, Italy, and Souda Bay in the Greek Island of Crete, said Lt. Nate Curtis, a fleet spokesman.
The Navy did not identify what misbehavior may have occurred in a specific port. None of the misbehavior led to complaints by host nations, Curtis said.
Curtis declined to specify which orders involving port call were violated, but indicated one possibility was ignoring orders to go out with a "liberty buddy" for safety and security reasons, and instead going out alone.
The Navy said Cmdr. Steele was scheduled to board a plane Wednesday to begin preparations to command the Stout. Steele was most recently the executive officer of the destroyer USS Ramage.
Lt. Cmdr. Bill Urban, spokesman for Naval Surface Force Atlantic, said Steele was chosen for "his experience, stellar record and readiness to assume command."
CMC Cole most recently served at Naval Surface Force Atlantic headquarters in Norfolk.
The Stout is currently deployed in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.