21: For real this time

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The 21st Navy skipper
of the year was fired, for "poor personnel management." (As I noted the other day, that guy down in Norfolk actually had been counted by Navy Times as fired back in the spring, so he wasn't no. 21.) This time it was
the CO of the minesweeper Fearless.

Also, the skipper of the USS Momsen,
who had been charged with rape, etc., pleaded guilty and was sentenced
to 10 years behind bars, with the understanding as part of the plea that he
would serve 42 months.

Retired Navy
Capt. John Byron comments:

In the scheme of things, this is a pretty tough
sentence. 42 months incarceration, probation for the rest of the ten years, maybe
registered sex offender, loss of some benefits and retirement, professional
disgrace, doubtless fallout in his family life. There are many other ways this
could have been handled, from start to finish. That it was seen as an egregious
felony is credit to the Navy system and this person's chain of command.

The plea deal kept the two women off the
witness stand. Would guess that was a major consideration for the prosecution.

The message this sends to the fleet is inescapable: we meant what we said.

I'm
proud of my Navy.

(2 HTs to RD)