From Strategy Page (courtesy of occasional reader Kevin):
In the last few years, there has been a sharp increase in navy commanders being relieved. It’s been running at over ten a year, up from 6-8 in the late 1990s, and a bit less than that in the 1980s. Only a small percentage of reliefs have to do with professional failings (a collision or serious accident, failing a major inspection or just continued poor performance.) Most reliefs were, and still are, for adultery, drunkenness or theft. With more women aboard warships, there have been more reliefs for, as sailors like to put it, “zipper failure.” There may have been more than are indicated, as sexual misconduct is often difficult to prove, and a commander who is having zipper control problems often has other shortcomings as well. Senior commanders traditionally act prudently and relieve a commander who demonstrates a pattern of minor problems and who they now “lack confidence in.”
They missed their calling, these guys: They should’ve run for office.
Somehow this reminds me of a tale I heard told about the Command Leadership Course in Newport, RI several years ago. A distinguished flag officer came to the classroom to speak to the newly selected, but not yet in officio commanding officers.
“Gentlemen,” he said, “congratulations on achieving the pinnacle of command at sea, a major milestone in your naval careers. Very shortly now you will stand on a podium in front of an apparently adoring crowd speaking these words: ‘I relieve you sir.’ At that moment you will be responsible for the lives and welfare of America’s finest sons and daughters, and of them you will forge a critical link in the defense of the republic.
“Very shortly thereafter you will be gratified to learn that your professional opinions have become infallible, that your sense of humor is outrageously entertaining and that you yourself are quite suddenly irresistably attractive. Shortly after that you will feel unassailable, bulletproof.
“If you learn nothing else at all from your time at this school, the most important thing to take away is that none of these things are true. You are no smarter, no funnier and no better looking then you ever were. And you are most decidedly not bulletproof.
“Enjoy your time in command. Does anyone have any questions?”
The way the story was told to me, no one did.
A propos of nothing at all, did I ever tell you about my time in Finland?
That is pretty much still the party line at the Shipdriver center of excellence, but I am STILL convinced that I was funnier and smarter when I wore the star on the right side.
Just kidding.
Lex, I received a better valedictory in 1992, to wit:
“Don’t crack it up.
“Don’t blow it up.
“Don’t f**K it up
Good luck gentlemen”.
Must have been good advice, 4 flags out off the class.
And Tailhook syndrome had yet to work its pernicious effects on our Navy.
Nowadays might be prudent to add “Don’t dip your pen in government ink.”
I ran a course for Army battalion and brigade commanders in Europe in the early 90?
I ran a course for Army battalion and brigade commanders in Europe in the early 90’s, and have seen more than one ex-commander go home early for “zipper failure”. I saw a brand new Col, (0-6) brigade commander pulled out of command after about three weeks because of “ZF”, and since he hadn’t held the rank long enough he retired as a LTC, (0-5). When it happens to General Officers it seams as though the black Chinooks come and get them in the middle of the night. Probably takes 7 to 10 days for their ass hole to catch up to them.
RLTW
Cap’n George – I’ve also heard it called the “Three Kisses” rule: Don’t kiss the ground, don’t kiss another ship, don’t kiss a shipmate.
Most reliefs were, and still are, for adultery, drunkenness or theft.
Last week I heard word of a local very senior enlisted arrested for shoplifting a pile of mundane items that added up to a rather non-mundane pile of dollar bills. To wreck a high-flying career for a cart full of groceries, a fling, or one too many drinks? I really don’t get it.
Senior commanders traditionally act prudently and relieve a commander who demonstrates a pattern of minor problems and who they now ?
Most reliefs were, and still are, for adultery, drunkenness or theft.
Last week I heard word of a local very senior enlisted arrested for shoplifting a pile of mundane items that added up to a rather non-mundane pile of dollar bills. To wreck a high-flying career for a cart full of groceries, a fling, or one too many drinks? I really don’t get it.
Senior commanders traditionally act prudently and relieve a commander who demonstrates a pattern of minor problems and who they now “lack confidence in.”
I’m reminded of (former BGEN) Janis Karpinski. She reportedly did some low-value shoplifting as a LTC (undiscovered until she was a brigadier general). At Abu Ghraib she demonstrated her poor leadership skills and is still showcasing her complete inability to take responsibility for her actions (or lack thereof).
I’ve always thought a causal factor was a chemical imbalance; the aphrodsiac effect resulting of the combination of Nomex and alcohol. The symptoms on both the wearer and viewer are often the same.
Kris in NE,
Re your, “Men – hmph!”
On more than one occasion I have seen female commanders fall prey to the same syndrome. Hey, it’s 2006, and were all the same don-cha-know!
Don’t you remember the Reba McEntire song, “When whoever’s in New England’s through with you”?
Hmmmm…. I have no problem with zippers. Perhaps you’re getting that arthur-itis my Grandma used to tell me about. Vaseline works wonders, you know.
OH. WAIT.
You need help getting it UP… now DOWN.
Well, that’s a whole ‘nuther story.
In all seriousness though, I think it’s a damn shame that officers are being relieved of duty for anything other than failure to perform their duties as an officer effectively. Yes, immoral conduct will get you a kick in the ass, but look at how many people still love Clinton after what he did as the leader of our entire country?
Where you, or your crew put your dipstick, is really none of my business or anyone elses- UNLESS it’s someone in your direct line of responsibility (up or down the line). That’s a no-no in the private sector as well.
Kris, recent events at the USNA prove that womyn/feemale mids can be far worse then the men they accuse. Alcohol, drug and sex abuse leads to bad karma, although we have yet to see consequences for their (the womyn’s) actions.
Misandrists Harumph! Just sayin, not accusin!
AFSister: i must beg to differ on your final point. specifically, because “dipstick putting” in most all forms other than the traditionally defined marriage act is a violation of UCMJ.
in the military, you can’t get a wink and a nod on any such things, or permit the appearance of such.
Well, Sis I guess you haven’t heard anything about what is prejudicial to good order and discipline. Zipper Failure killed the career of one of the best officers I had ever served with. I had learned more from that guy as a young company grade officer than any other single officer. As a G.O. he got stupid. What a waste.
We hold ourselves at a higher standard because everything a commander does impacts the organization. What goes on TDY doesn’t stay TDY. It is a statement of one’s character or lack thereof. If you want to let your hair down then retire or resign.
..When we were stationed at Langley AFB, VA in the mid to late 80s, a skipper getting relieved across the bay at Norfolk was always a big local story. In the space of 4 years:
USS Spruance lost her CO after she hit an uncharted sandbar at flank speed and tore the sonar dome off the bow,
USS Theodore Roosevelt’s skipper got it for allowing his corpsmen to throw medical waste over the side and having it wash up on Virginia Beach – still labeled with the name of the ship,
USS Nassau lost her CO after bumping into USS Nimitz while trying to leave port
USS Norfolk lost her skipper, XO, and Nav after running into USS San Diego while outbound past Cape Charles – on her Operational Readiness Inspection, no less, and
USS Dwight D Eisenhower’s skipper got it after a pilot ran her into an anchored freighter in Hampton Roads while returning from a deployment. I saw that one, our next door neighbor was an ordie aboard Ike and we had brought his family down to welcome him back.
Mike Kozlowski
I know, MajMike… but I disagree with that thought process in the military. I realize it’s a UCMJ violation, but I really don’t think it should be. The only time I think it should be considered a UCMJ violation is when the relationship involves people who report to each other- I don’t care if it’s a junior NCO or officer and a senior NCO or officer, or an enlisted and an officer. Just as in the private sector, having a sexual relationship with someone under your supervision should not be allowed.
I just think it’s none of brass’s business to get involved in a case of adultery. That’s between the husband and wife- not the military.
I know what I’m saying doesnt’ jibe with code, but that’s how I feel about it.
re comment 12: USS SPRUANCE ran onto a CHARTED reef at 18 knots. I pulled her off the reef at Andros Island.
Bomber Guy and CoRev – I stand corrected. Apologies for impugning men in general with my rather flip comment. I’ll admit, I hadn’t had much coffee at the time…
Given the dynamics involved, for both sexes, it really is a gross abuse of power and position. But that’s true in the private sector as well – having been a victim of sexual harrassment I speak from personal and unwanted experience. There isn’t a punishment grave enough for the damage these perverts cause. Dismissal should just be the start, not the only thing.
There, that sounded better than my original comment. Lex, can you delete #7 please? Please? It’s not up to snuff.
What Kris is saying about ZF involving a superior- a gross abuse of power and position- is very true. It may be concensual, but I’m guessing that the person of lower rank feels some sort of obligation to satisfy the person of higher rank- no matter if that satisfaction is with job performance or bedroom performance.
Shipmates,
Well, I’ve deliberatley held off from posting to this, but I might as well toss my helmet into the ring.
Adultery is inexcusable. Yeah, it happens. Has always happened. Will happen again. Still doesn’t excuse it.
The point about being relieved because of adultery, or being prosecuted under the UCMJ is because it violates a trust.
How is it possible for the Navy, or anyone you work with, to trust you to keep national secrets, to count on you when the chips are down, when you can’t keep one simple promise? Especially one sworn to before a magistrate and/or a cleric? And witnesses?
If you cannot control yourself well enough to “just say no”, then what’s going to happen when someone offers you a large chunck of cash for an updated Tac manual, or a NATOPS, or an advanced copy of the flight schedule? Can you be trusted to write accurate and fair evals and fitreps when the subject knows you’ve been sleeping with a shipmate’s spouse?
Add to that the marale problems inherant with the “deployment widows” (and widowers). I’ve personally witnessed them saying goodbye to their spouses and then hitting up the club for party time that night. Not saying folks can’t have a good time, but when Airman Rotorblade is deployed for 6 months, he’d like to be able to sleep peacefully about the homefront, and not have his job skills fall off because of rumuors from home about his/her spouse.
I care about adultery because I’ve seen firsthand how morale can be affected and how readiness can be impacted by it. Some chief finds out his wife is sleeping with an officer in his command, and he’s supposed to just divorce her, walk away and put it behind him? How’s he going to react when one of his Petty Officer’s gets caught with someone else?
Regardless of his professionalism, that experience WILL impact his judgement, no matter how much he tries to put it aside.
Now, I’m no prude, and I could care less about fraternization between the ranks as long as it’s outside the chain of command. What singles do is there own business, and while I’m at it, I could care less about whether the fellow next to me is straight or gay.
What I DO care about is being able to trust those around me, especially those I will be flying with, that I can count on them, trust them to do what’s right. It’s just not possible to be an effective leader when you yourself cannot follow the rules. Officers, both comissioned and non-comissioned have an obligation to lead by example. In fact, I would argue that that is their first responsibility. Set the example.
You cannot condone nor excuse adultery where leadership is involved.
That’s my 2-cent’s worth, anyway. Other’s mileage may vary
Respects,
Good points, Tim.
But the kind of trust it takes for you to safely fly me around in a combat zone has nothing to do with the fidelity promise you made to your wife.
I do see your argument about trust, but there are different levels of trust. For instance, my neighbor is a licensed plumber. I trust him to work on the plumbing in my house. But would I trust him with my life, or to keep my kids safe? No.
My brother tried to commit suicide and lost his security clearance to work on his plane (he’s a crew chief on the C-5). They didn’t trust his mind to be in the right place at work because of the depression… which is pushing him down even further. He LOVES that plane, and now the two things he loves the most have been taken from him- his wife and his plane.
I don’t know the right answer, but I do know that trust is a delicate thing, and once broken, it’s very hard to get back.
A newly appointed police chief (substitute command here as you wish) was taken aside by his predecessor and handed 3 envelopes with the instruction to open one whenever a major crisis occurs.
Some time passed, and sure enough, a major incident made the news. The chief opens the first envelope to find a note: “Blame the previous administration.”
So the chief assembles the media and blames the incident on his predecessor. The incident blows over and all is well again.
A couple years go by, and another major incident occurs. The chief opens the second envelope to find the advice “Take full responsibility”
At the press conference, the chief accepts the blame and vows to correct the situation. The powers that be are satisfied, and again the crisis passes.
After another couple of years, a third incident creates an uproar. The chief opens the last envelope, confident that the next solution lies within. He reads: “Make three envelopes…”
WAY OT –
As most of you know, this weekend is the Army/Navy game… No matter what your proclivity, please seek out a sports bar or restaurant that will be sponsoring military families and broadcasting this event. Most likely, they will be having an open buffet with a cash bar.
Here on Long Island, although many members of our military family attend the event, there are a few restaurants that will be hosting military families for the game. Their activities include open buffet and cash bar, as I already stated, as well as tree decorating competitions to fund various military charities. What a fantastic way to support our military charities!
As the Director of Military Outreach for Operation Gratitude, I am in full schemeing mode as to how I can win the tree competition! In addition, I will be there with tons of writing supplies so that the attendees, no matter what their stripe, will have an easy way to send a letter of gratitude to our men and women overseas…
So, if you are planning to watch the game this weekend, please consider doing it from a watering hole that supports our men and women. The charities will be there in good cheer! Our men and women will certainly appreciate it.
Regards,
Babs
It is about trust and AFSis is right – once it’s gone it’s nearly impossible to get it back. BUT when we are talking about a violation of trust from a leader, it takes on a whole new meaning.
From my experience, my boss sexually harrassed me to the point where I was afraid of him. (He was “connected & protected” and actually threatened to kill me, twice.) He was the #3 man and had a GREAT deal of power in the organization. I was terrified of him once he started to harrass me, because I figured if I said anything to anyone he’d just fire me. And I needed my job. So I didn’t tell anyone and the harrassment went on for 3 years, until I had enough and just quit.
His position of power and influence, and his abuse of that, caused a ripple effect throughout the organization – good people were leaving, the business became disorganized and out of touch.
When it’s a leader who does it – adultery with a fellow (insert appropriate terminology here), a consensual relationship or harrassment – it does have a deleterious effect on everyone around them, even if they don’t know exactly what is going on.
And when someone accepts that leadership role, they know they will be held to a higher standard than most. So the consequences of their actions should be held to that same high standard.
Man, I hate this subject. Always booze or flooze (non-specific gender floose of course) induced.
Thank God the commanders identified and the problem COs and pulled their stars. It’s like drugs I think. Earlier in their carees SOMEBODY else covered for ‘em and they still screened. IMO, bad character is usually on display for those who can identify it or care to… Good leadership begets good leadership- bad leadership begets bad leadership methinks.
B2
AW1 Tim and kris have expressed my sentiments about trust being violated. It affects the whole organization. That’s why President Clinton’s adultery was so harming to our country.
Any leaders, whether in the military, in private enterprise, clerics, elected and appointed officials, should be held to a higher standard.
If someone is willing to cheat on his spouse, he/she would be willing to cheat on anything.
Babs: where on Long Island?? i’ll be out there for my drill weekend, and stopping off somewhere would be preferable to listening to the game on my car radio (like i end up doing every year now, cuz we always schedule the drill weekends that way)
and by the way: BEAT NAVY
You could probably use this analogy with both sexes, but I don?
You could probably use this analogy with both sexes, but I don’t know how to say it for women.
“Men have two heads, but only enough blood to operate one at a time”.
RLTW
hey Maj Mike – The restaurant is in Freeport. Called Splash Cafe. Contact me…
mossholder@optonline.net. If you are on the road, you can find some company, a warm bed and a semi good meal here…
GO NAVY/OR ARMY IF NEED BE….
Babs
You could probably use this analogy with both sexes, but I don?
You could probably use this analogy with both sexes, but I don’t know how to say it for women.
“Men have two heads, but only enough blood to operate one at a time”.
Or then there’s the old joke:
God tells Adam, “I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is that I have two new organs to give you.”
“The first one will allow you to think amazing thoughts, eventually learn and understand the world around you, master the animals and create astonishing things.
The other organ is sensitive beyond description. It will respond to your thoughts, will allow you to feel the most wonderful and indescribable physical sensations you can imagine, and will bring great joy to you and Eve.”
Adam replies, “Those two organs sound wonderful! What’s the bad news?”
“You only have enough blood to operate one of them at a time.”
Re. item #12 and IKE – ’twasnt the pilot that ran IKE into an anchored Spanish freighter, it was a series of events that centered on a bridge team distracted by presence of VIPs during Sea & Anchor detail, a Navigator who failed his trade by recommending slowing below minimum steerage way, and a CO that let it happen on his watch, including leaving the bridge to see the VIPs off on a helo. That is an extremely digested account of a long and sad mishap report, especially for a ship and air wing returning from a deployment that was highlighted by 0 mishaps. CO was no slacker and genuinely liked for his leadership and record — was destined for greater things, but… This just proves that there is no margin for error in CVOPS and you can’t let your guard down until “Shift colors” is passed (and even then, only measuredly). Anyone who had even a passing acquaintance with ship ops while I was gator on IKE will testify that (1) this mishap report was mandatory reading and (2) the bridge was for watch personnel and VIPs watched from the Flag bridge. No ifs ands or buts. So what if I gained a new call sign (“Dr No”) in the process — the rules worked. There were others as well (not the least of which was the DR plot…) but point made.
- SJS
I’l echo SteelJaw and say that the CO of IKE right after the incident was assigned to be the CO of my ROTC unit at Wisconsin.
We got part of the story from him, and the rest when one of his wardroom came to talk Nuc stuff with us. SJS is right on. A great reputation, a phenomenal leader, and when I, ahem, fell a few credits short in my final semester, he cancelled a vacation to stay around and commission me “summer-cum-lately”. There are a scant few men I have served with that I would jump in front of a train for, be GLB was one of them.
Two observations:
–Recently, I’ve seen more CO’s (anecdotally-I could be wrong) fired for loss of pants casualties than for collisions or groundings. Submarine force has had its share.
–VADM Dave Oliver wrote a book (“Lead On”) that says somewhere that senior O-6s tend to fail spectacularly in a manner like this, and his theory was that people didn’t want to admit they couldn’t or wouldn’t advance, so their subconscious got to work on them. Dunno if it’s true or not, but it would cover those guys who got caught after their commands were over.
Interesting theory there, Chap. But is it a case of chicken and egg i.e.
Do the real fast-trackers just not get themselves into these situations either because a) they have the character to resist them and/or
b) they’re extremely focused etc and won’t jeopardise their futures?
And do the passed-overs start to think, albeit subconsciously a) “well I’m not going anywhere so hung for a sheep” etc; or
b) they are being passed over for general flaws that will often reveal themselves in cases of zipper failure?
In other words, do the instances of zipper failure happen
aaargh keyboard failure – to continue
Ergo, do the instances of Zipper failure happen MORE to those commanders who have effectively been passed over, as you are perhaps suggesting here?
OzWitch, Nope, ZF does not happen because someone’s career has plateau’d. I think it is ego. The system reinforces behaviors that have been successful in the past and egos get inflated. IMHO, and from my personal observations O-6 and above in jobs of great responsibility and power think they get better looking and more attractive with age. I think there is a certain level of narcissism that develops. As for your humble GreyEagle, it sure ain’t happenin’ when I look in the shaving mirror.
GEO6, I’d imagine that every O-6 with a fast track to flag rank has a sizeable ego, but not all of these get caught with their pants down.
Chap’s point, which I broke down very poorly it seems, was that those who know they are not destined for stars seem to invent unconscious excuses for their lack of promotability, which may manifest in inappropriate behaviors such as zipper failure, rather than admit that they have attained their level of competency.
At least I think that was what he was saying. But you do make a point in that ego probably plays a pretty big part in most cases of zipper failure. I just don’t think it’s the whole story.
Oz,
Perhaps you are right but the biggest offenders that I am most familiar with are the guys who “made it” to GO/Flag rank, not necessarily the old farts such as yours truly.
GreyEagle: that’s because “old farts” like you knew how to treat others with respect and dignity. It’s a generational thing.
Kris, Thanks. And thanks for overlooking my barnyard venacular. BTW, my sympathies for your unfortunate experience with that SOB and the sexual harrassment and hostile invironment you had to put up with. Yeah, I know the buzz words but I had a job working those types of issues for a couple of years and every one is ugly. That is the really really bad side of ZF syndrome. Sorry you had to experience that.
#37
***ding,ding,ding***
Kris wins the prize. If that is at the base of how we interact with those over whom we exercise command, as well as the greater world outside our pond, the number of ZF’s would significantly shrink (there’s always the 10% who don’t get the word though…).
-SJS
You when people decry ZF, and I’ve been around long enough to see it happen plenty, I always remind folks that maybe they should walk a mile in the other guys shoes-maybe his wife was making his life hell at home. I hope none of you ever have to live in the real hell a sexless marriage is.
The issue is never that a guy had an affair. its who you have the affair with. Don’t ever touch the hired help-and always leave yourself and out.
Wise advice from an old CO who was 10 times the leader than the man who wrote and gave the speech in Newport.
Skippy–lot of truth to that, sir.