USCG — UCMJ Proceedings

[BuoyJumper]

Looks that way to me too Gordy.  Even so the punishment seems on the surface to be light, as I understand it the reduction in rank to O3 and subsequent pay forfeiture is the max that could be handed out at an Admiral's Mast.  The way I heard it explained the reduction in rank to O3 is the rank that he achieved and performed competently.  Even though he was promoted beyond that to O4, O5 and O6 because of his behavior at those ranks his performance as an officer was deemed compromised. 

[Flynzy]

I'm thinking they should have gone with the CM and dismissed him from the service.

[EX-CG-GM]

I'm wondering if he will end updivorced.  If so it's a shame his wife will end up with less of his retirement.

[Flynzy]

She probably should have ****-canned him years ago.  I doubt this is new behavior.

[Zoomer]

"His retirement as a lieutenant in lieu of trial by a general court-martial is the result of a pretrial agreement and Hamilton’s unsatisfactory service in the grades of captain, commander, and lieutenant commander."

I guess he was satisfactory as an O-1, O-2 and O-3.  However if his performance was unsatisfactory as an O-4 and O-5...how the hell did he make O-6?

[JerryM]

"His retirement as a lieutenant in lieu of trial by a general court-martial is the result of a pretrial agreement and Hamilton’s unsatisfactory service in the grades of captain, commander, and lieutenant commander."

I guess he was satisfactory as an O-1, O-2 and O-3.  However if his performance was unsatisfactory as an O-4 and O-5...how the hell did he make O-6?

Apparently the only thing unsatisfactory in his O4 & O5 performance was his dishonorable conduct - which was not discovered until he was O6. It looks like he may have reached a point where he felt bullet-proof & quit even bothering with caution.

[Zoomer]

I guess the statute of limitations doesn't apply there

[cmypay]

I am wondering if the regulations covering spouse protection would apply here.  I'm not totally sure the CG even has that kind of regulation, but it is supposed to protect an innocent spouse from losing everything if a military member is convicted of criminal activity.  Wouldn't it be great if she got half of his retirement at the O6 level and he got half at the O3?  Doubt that would happen, but it just seems to me that his wife and children are being made to pay for his transgressions.

I also think he should have gone to court martial...but I guess his lawyer convinced him he would lose and lose big.

Pauli

[BuoyJumper]

News Release
Date: April 15, 2010
Contact: D13 Public Affairs

Sector Seattle commander
temporarily relieved of command


Captain Suzanne Englebert, Jan. 14, 2009 USCG photo

SEATTLE — Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, has temporarily relieved Capt. Suzanne E. Englebert of her duties as commander of Coast Guard Sector Seattle, citing a loss of confidence in the officer’s ability to command.

“The decision to relieve a commanding officer is never easy and is taken very seriously," said Blore. "Due to an unacceptable command climate this commander no longer had my confidence to command an effective unit.  I firmly believe this decision was made in the best interest of the unit and the Service.”

Pending a final determination by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in Washington, D.C., Capt. Scott Bornemann has been temporarily assigned to command Sector Seattle. The Sector is conducting normal operations.

Sector Seattle oversees the comprehensive maritime safety, security and marine environmental response operations throughout the Sector’s vast 3,500 square mile area of responsibility. Sector Seattle faces many challenges posed by the complexity of the Puget Sound area including numerous high risk, as well as economically and nationally significant maritime operations, including the nation’s largest ferry system, the third largest container port, 1.3 million recreational boaters, over 200 cruise ship arrivals annually, over 5,000 deep draft vessel transits annually, home to the Alaskan fishing fleet, the third largest strategic naval port and 15 billion gallons of oil products moved annually.

News Release

[cmypay]

I really don't like this "loss of confidence" thing.  If there is an issue, put it out there; otherwise, it sounds too much like the "just cause" is "just 'cause I don't like you."  I know it says pending investigation, but still.

Pauli

[BuoyJumper]

When I read the press release this morning Paulie my first thought was "I wonder who she pissed off?".  Too much politicing going on in the CG today.  I would never have made it and most of the officers I served with would not have survived today's CG.  They would have gotten RFC'd for one reason or another.

[Salba]

Buoy/Pauli:

I have no doubt - that the RFC'd has been on occassion used incorrectly - or as buoy said - for political reasons.  But an occassional misuse of the tool does not mean that all uses of the tool are incorrect. With out knowing facts - I have to rely the the upper level review of the action taken will determine whether or not the tool was used appropriately in this case or not.

As to the tool - relief for loss of confidence... in general...  I am in favor of having that tool available.  Obviously, in case of illegal behavior or wrong doing (hazarding the vessel for example) a loss of confidence relief is probably not necessary as a tool to be used... other tools are available (cause).  But nobody has a "right" to command; and even though there may be a selection/screening process... sometimes command is given to somebody who although doing no wrong, isn't a good fit for command position.  A CO that is too buddy with the crew; or the opposite, too hard, unforgiving of the crew.  A CO that can drive the ship or accomplish the mission, but can't do the administrative side, etc etc etc. 

I remember the case of the submarine skipper (if my memory serves me - Jacksonville area) relieved for lack of confidence when had the stripper aboard the vessel.  Technically no rule broke - but certainly displayed a lack of judgement and brought discredit upon the command.  Without the loss of confidence tool - what are you left with?  A poor OER?

Having said that - I do agree that sometimes "it appears" that the tool is being used too frequently OR that certain senior officers use it too frequently. But I don't want to see the ability taken away.

Hope that makes sense.
 Best Wishes

[EX-CG-GM]

I remember the case of the submarine skipper (if my memory serves me - Jacksonville area) relieved for lack of confidence when had the stripper aboard the vessel.

There was an issue?   

[JerryM]

I remember the case of the submarine skipper (if my memory serves me - Jacksonville area) relieved for lack of confidence when had the stripper aboard the vessel.

There was an issue?   

sheez! Some folks just have no sense of humor.           

[LTGunner]

...the case of the submarine skipper (if my memory serves me - Jacksonville area) relieved for lack of confidence when had the stripper aboard the vessel. 

Pictures or it never happened......

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