Capt. Brett Crozier, fired this week from command of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, joins a growing list of Navy officers who attempted to raise concerns about the safety of their ships and crew, only to pay with their jobs.
Crozier wrote a letter dated March 30 warning that an outbreak of the coronavirus on his ship was a threat to his crew of some 4,000 sailors unless they disembarked and quarantined.
“We are not at war, and therefore cannot allow a single sailor to perish as a result of this pandemic unnecessarily,” Crozier wrote. “Decisive action is required now.”
We do not know all the facts that prompted the letter. But we know that once it was published in the San Francisco Chronicle, the acting secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly, relieved Crozier of command. Crozier, 50, had been a rising star in the officer corps. He will remain in the Navy at his current rank, though his career future is uncertain. In viral videos, Crozier’s sailors can be seen cheering him loudly as he disembarks the Roosevelt, alone, before driving away.
Navy experts believe that the cumulative effects of the service’s decisions over the past several years to punish those who speak out will result in silencing sailors with legitimate concerns about their health and safety.
“This may have the effect of chilling the responses of other commanding officers because it will be perceived, fairly or not, as a shoot the messenger scenario,” said James Stavridis, a retired admiral and former head of the United States Naval Institute, who called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the dismissal.
The Navy’s top officer, Adm. Mike Gilday, initially praised Crozier’s attempt to warn his superiors. But the next day, Thursday, Modly, the Navy’s civilian boss, reversed course, telling reporters that he fired Crozier because he lost confidence in the officer for not using a secure email network to properly route his complaint.
Crozier’s unclassified email wound up with 20 or 30 other individuals and at some point was provided to the Chronicle reporters. Modly said the public airing of the complaint had unnecessarily alarmed sailors and provided enemies with information that exposed weaknesses on one of the country’s most important warships.
As part of our 2019 investigation into the incidents in the Navy’s 7th Fleet, its largest overseas presence, ProPublica found repeated instances of frontline commanders warning superiors of risks the fleet was facing — a lack of training, exhausted crews, deteriorating ships and equipment. Those warnings, all sent through the normal chain of command, were met with indifference.
Disaster in the fleet struck in June 2017, after the USS Fitzgerald, a destroyer, collided with a cargo ship in the Sea of Japan. Two months later, a second destroyer, the USS John S. McCain, collided with an oil tanker in the Singapore Strait. The two accidents cost the Navy 17 sailors — the biggest loss of life in maritime collisions in more than 40 years.
Navy investigations laid blame on nearly the entire chain of command in the 7th Fleet, punishing commanders and sailors for failing to properly train and equip its crews and ships.
Adm. Joseph Aucoin, the head of the 7th Fleet, was fired. Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden, who oversaw training, was forced from his job. Cmdr. Bryce Benson, captain of the Fitzgerald, was recommended for court-martial.
But ProPublica reported that all three men had repeatedly tried to warn higher-ups of dangerous safety issues in the vaunted fleet, based at Yokosuka, Japan. They argued to their superiors that the Navy was running ships in the 7th Fleet too hard, too fast. Their warnings were dismissed.
Some of the Navy’s criminal cases against the officers collapsed after court rulings found possible bias in the Navy’s prosecution.
Senior leaders “continue to under-resource ships at sea and are slow to respond to commanders’ pleas for assistance,” said Benson, who is now retired. “From one tragedy to the next, senior Navy leaders continue to break faith with the fleet.”
Dismissing Crozier, Benson said, “sends a clear message to commanders: The authority and responsibility that you enjoy is yours alone and an absolute liability even when under resourced and thinly supported.”
Modly emphasized that he did not intend his actions to discourage officers from coming forward to report their concerns through the chain of command.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Capt. Crozier did what he thought was in the best interests of the safety and well-being of his crew. Unfortunately, it did the opposite,” Modly said at a press conference.
But Crozier’s firing has raised alarm anew that the Navy is more interested in its public image than in fixing problems raised by its sailors. It did not go unnoticed by fellow officers that Crozier was dismissed within two days of his letter becoming public. Such haste is unusual, and raised questions about the due process afforded to Crozier.
Some now believe that the cumulative effects of the Navy’s decisions over the past several years to punish those who speak out will silence sailors who have legitimate concerns about their health and safety.
“His removal sends a really strong message that coming forward will end people’s careers,” said Mandy Smithberger, a military expert at the Project on Government Oversight. “Before this I’d say that risk was more so implied through both social and professional retaliation. This is much more explicit.”
Crozier’s firing comes amid increased concern that the Pentagon is not acting quickly enough to protect whistleblowers. Glenn Fine, the principal deputy inspector general for the Defense Department, testified that the agency has shown a reluctance to punish officials who take punitive action against whistleblowers.
“We have seen a disturbing trend in the DoD disagreeing with the results of our investigations or not taking disciplinary action in substantiated reprisal cases without adequate or persuasive explanations,” Fine testified in January to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. “Failure to take action sends a message to agency managers that reprisal will be tolerated and also to potential whistleblowers that the system will not protect them.”
Navy commanders may be fired at any time by their superiors. And the captains of Navy ships are uniquely responsible for any mishaps on their ships.
A study published earlier this year of more than 2,000 disciplinary cases found that Navy commanders were historically dismissed for “crimes of command” — such as a ship colliding with another vessel or running aground.
More lately, however, the study documented that it has become harder to tell if those punished are being disciplined less because of their performance and more because they had either internally or publicly called the Navy out for neglect.
“In the modern Navy,” wrote Capt. Michael Junge in the Naval War College Review, “a commander is most likely to be removed for personal misconduct or when the crime of command includes one or all of the following elements: death, press coverage, or significant damage to the Navy, whether materially or to its reputation.”
–T. Christian Miller and Megan Rose, ProPublica
Do you have access to information about how the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, or the Army is responding to the coronavirus that should be public? Email t.christian.miller@propublica.org or megan.rose@propublica.org or robert.raturechi@propublica.org. Here’s how tosend tips and documents securely.
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Jim says
Its not the message that he was fired for but the way he presented the message. If there is a fly on your forehead I will tell you. Some people feel they need to swat it off your head.
Jean MacAllister says
Sadly, someone who was concerned about his crew is terminated because of it. My great nephew is on this ship and still on because . He cant leave first round because he helps keep the nuclear reactor running. But Lord willing he will get to be replaced next round. His Mom writes “My goodness, here I worried about warfare. Never thought war with sickness. Thank you all!! The commander has gotten so much bad PR…another story..”.
I’m asking for prayer for all of our service men and women.
danm50 says
Navy, my ass . Boot lickers are not SEABEES! All hands on deck. Join the Coast Guard.
Concerned Citizen says
It is shameful of the US Government/Navy to fire an Admiral because of the “life threatening” to lives. Does the Navy not feel these men and women are valid human beings. Would they rather the virus spread unnecessarily to others – ignoring their Commander in Chief? Shouldn’t we put our service members number 1 as if not for them, our freedom would be in jeopardy. The Army should be ashamed of itself and I hope the President will do the right thing and give this honorable Admiral the respect he so deserves. It is bad enough that we treat our military members the way we do, no homes to go to when leaving service, no jobs, high amount of suicide, homelessness – really America – these military members gave up a lot to serve and protect them – isn’t it time the U.S. Government protect them!
Jane says
God bless you for telling the truth! God and Truth will always prevail.
Stanley Gruchawka says
Captain Crozier revealed sensitive information about the condition of a major Navel asset (an aircraft carrier) that affected national security by sending an unsecured email. A Senior officer should have better judgement than that. The Navy was correct in relieving him of command. ProPublica, funded by George Soros, is the last source that should be taken seriously in criticizing the the Navy’s action.
palmcoaster says
Typical of Totalitarian Regimes …keep the code of silence no matter how many die, or be dismissed and in some places sent to the firing squad or given a potion 99 for cocktail or snack. And the parade of the dismissed proceed!
USSN - Capt. Rick says
Although the Captain was correct in protecting his sailors, the leaking of the information was a problem. The Navy is held accountable for his actions. This was something that they felt was not up to their standards and although it was not right, in order to save “face”, they had to do.
EyesWideOpen says
Breaking the chain of command is a serious offense. Especially that high up in the chain. I am willing to bet there is WAY more to this decision. I wonder what was in his file prior to this- and if this was the straw that broke the camels back!?!?
I believe history has shown that the military has to adhere to a stringent protocol and diverging outside of the discipline can adversely affect the success of the military. Having an officer go outside the chain- is dangerous.
Also I read somewhere that this officer had placed his ship and men in harms way by disobeying a direct order. He stopped in a port in the beginning of the outbreak- and exposed his crew to the COVID virus. So he exposes them and then cries that enough wasn’t done?
Smh
Mark101 says
The letter Crozier wrote to Navy leaders pleading for additional help to combat the outbreak was leaked to the press and was sent over unsecured lines , unclassified email” and copying “a broad array of people,” instead of relaying his concerns directly to Modly. Modly indicated is was “poor judgment” by sending his letter by email to up to 30 people, but not to his immediate superior on the warship.That is what got this captain relieved of command, and most likely he will be reassigned, .. As a retired commander in the Navy this is just something you do not do, you do not send message over unsecured lines/email. .
Veteran says
As a Navy vet who served on 3 carriers I agree with the decision to relieve the captain. He should have sent a classified message to his superiors. What he did was tell our enemies that we have a nuclear carrier out of commission. It could be considered treason although I’m sure Crozier did not intend it that way.
Trumps Orange Peel says
*UPDATE* Capt. Brett Crozier has also tested positive for Coronavirus.
Mikey Eyes says
“Loose Lips Sink Ships”
Howard says
He was considered a hero. He knew he had it. Didnot want to infect his shipmates and knew that he couldnot perform his duties in a manner that would possibly endanger his crew and vessel. He chose to leave. And was replaced by a healthy person.
john c says
I like when civilian writers comment on military issues. Your Top Security Clearance is an oath! Loose lips sinks ships! Any sign of weakness, puts our entire Armed Forces at risk! Chain of Command is critic to mission success…we are not civilians! Everyone already knew troops are being infected…He didnt help anyone! I wouldnt gripe to a civilian…gripes go up, not down! Media is swamp low!
watermox says
Loose lips sink ships.
David says
I served but not in the Navy,but I know Chain of Command and this Captain deserved to be fired. He used an
unsecured e-mail and sent very critical information that was leaked and let the world know his ship couldn’t
meet it’s mission. He was supposed to maintain combat readiness and discipline, he essentially informed the Chinese Navy
that one of our most powerful ships in the Pacific was seriously impaired.
Now, why would Flagler live post this story but to somehow try to discredit the current Commander in Chief ?
Gee, I see a pattern here!
NortonSmitty says
Is it any surprise that the Administration pardoned a murdering SEAL Sailor who’s entire team testified against him and fired a Captain who got a standing ovation from 5.000 of his crew?
Fallon says
Chain.of.command!
palmcoaster says
One breaks the code of silence for anything : save lives or stop corruption and in like any totalitarian regime there is is a pay back! Voila! can we all of us see we live in a new il Duce state? Will get worse after November if the ones at the controls remain!
Ray says
If you know anything or about the military, then you know there is a chain of command and a way to properly expose any situation. Without it our military would be worthless. You don’t cause massive hysteria by going to the news media around your superiors. He deserves to be expelled.
CH says
Don’t you know that the reason he was fired was because he broke protocol, stopped in Vietnam and subsequently that stop allowed the Covid-19 virus to get on the ship. It was his poor judgment and lack of following protocol that got him fired.
Raymond Berdiner says
Being a former military service member, I can tell there is a chain of command and it is extremely important to follow . I agree with the disciplinary action. Think about the chaos that would be created if protocl is not followed.