Another One Bites The Dust ... Again
NavyTimes.com is reporting that CDR Laredo Bell, has been relieved of command from Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs, NY following an August 20th bust for DUI. The official Navy reasoning is "lack of confidence in his ability to command", which loosely translates to you f*cked up, got caught, and are now officially toast.
To make humiliation complete, the photo circulating (and shown here) is a grainy copy of the CDR likely in his official command photo.
This is number 17 for the year 2011 ... I believe the highest in history? Certainly in my memory/history with the service. Here's the complete list of CO's, XO's, and CMC (Command Master Chief) that have bit the dust this year alone. If you read the offenses, I understand every one ...
What I don't understand ... what the heck is going on? Are our standards to high or is the caliber of our command candidates slipping? Maybe our screening procedures are failing. In any case, I wonder if this banner year might be cause for concern deep w/in the Pentagon.
