Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

2413

Abstract

020/04/03/826920834/after-outcry-over-the-navy-captain-relieved-of-command-assurances-he-wont-be-expelled">… the Navy sent a chilling message to the rest of the fleet about speaking truth to power.”</a>Members of Congress have been equally harsh. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., said that Congress would have lots of questions to the Navy leadership — on leadership. A joint statement from other members on the House Armed Service panel said, in part, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/03/826920834/after-outcry-over-navy-captain-relieved-of-command-assurances-he-wont-be-expelled">“Dismissing a commanding officer for speaking out on issues critical to the safety of those under their command discourages others from raising similar concerns.”</a>This outrage forced Mr. Modly to backtrack — a little. Not only was Acting Secretary Modly planning on relieving Captain Crozier of command, but there was a little ‘palace coup’ action going on. Mr. Modly was planning on dismissing the good Captain from the Navy. A dismissal over being concerned over the lives of his crew? Again, are you kidding me, Mr. Modly?Given the recent reluctance of the Department of Defense to share the real picture of how COVID-19 is affecting our troops, Captain Crozier must have known the Navy was not going to be pleased with his letter. But the Captain had a health and safety crisis on his hands, with several members of his crew having been tested positive with COVID-19. Unlike the Diamond Princess outbreak, where the passengers could be isolated in separate quarters, the close living quarters aboard the USS Roosevelt created a ‘super-spreader’ environment. Captain Cozier knew that and was willing to take bold leadership actions to contain the spread of the virus on the ship.The Captain must have already received strong internal resistance within the Navy for his concerns. As a formal military officer myself, writing such a persuasive letter up the chain of command is never the first step. It’s often your last step when you have exhausted all other informal avenues to resolve the issue. Captain Crozier was more than just another military officer; he was a Navy ship Captain. Not just any Captain. He was the Captain of a nuclear-powered Navy aircraft carrier. Those positions only go to military officers with the

Options

potential to become Admirals. Captain Crozier was not just your average Naval officer. He was a rising leader with great potential.Now, he was being relieved for “poor judgment” for sending this letter to 30 people, but not his immediate supervisor? Really?From where I sit, when Captain Crozier sent out this letter, I’m sure he thought he had no other choice. He had a life-threatening situation on his hands, and for reasons unknown, his direct supervisor was probably stonewalling him. He had to take action. Courageous action. Noble action.That’s precisely what he did. I’m not sure he intended his letter to be leaked to the press (which is how this whole story got out), but he must have known that there was a good chance of that based on the number of people who initially received this letter. He must have also known that there might have been a chance that he would be relieved of his command for his bold actions. The military bureaucracy hates people who are willing to circumvent poor leadership.But he felt he had no choice. The lives of the people in his charge, his Sailors, were at stake. Acting as a noble leader, he was willing to their lives, their health, their safety above any thoughts of continued promotion.It cost him his career. Even if he is not dismissed from the Navy, he has lost any chance of being promoted to Rear-Admiral. From my exposure to the military, Captain Crozier will be put into some “basement” job at the Pentagon, where he will be allowed to retire (probably as soon as possible).Captain Crozier is an authentic leader. He has answered the noble calling of leadership. In an earlier article, I wrote:Authentic leaders are those who are consumed by a noble calling. This noble calling will guide their lives — often at significant personal cost to themselves — and it will shape the lives of all they come in contact with, even those who do not willingly choose to follow them.Captain Crozier answered the call of authentic leadership. I can think of no better example in recent days of the practice of this extraordinary, authentic leadership. In the dark days ahead, we can all learn from the courageous, noble actions of Captain Brett Crozier.You, sir, are a true American hero.</article></body>

These Photos by Unknown Authors are licensed under CC-BY-NC and CC-BY-ND

Answering the Call of Authentic Leadership: Navy Captain Brett Crozier

The Captain of the USS Roosevelt displayed truly noble leadership to protect his sailors from COVID-19. The Secretary of the Navy’s response was appalling.

On Sunday, March 30th, 2020, the Captain of the USS Roosevelt wrote this at the beginning of a letter to the Navy leadership:

If required, the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT would embark all assigned Sailors, set sail, and be ready to fight and beat any adversary that dares challenge the US or our allies. The virus would certainly have and impact, but in combat we are willing to take certain risks that are not acceptable in peacetime. However, we are not at war, and therefore cannot allow a single Sailor to perish as a result of this pandemic unnecessarily. Decisive action is now required to comply with CDC and NAVADMIN 083/20 guidance to prevent tragic outcomes.

The response of the Acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly, to this letter? He relieved Captain Crozier of his command.

Relieved him of his command?! What? When I read this, I couldn’t believe it!

It’s true. It’s been all over the Internet. The story has gone viral and is being covered by all the mainstream media.

The reaction of the American people? Like me, they’re outraged as they should be.

Captain Cozier’s alleged misdeed? According to acting Secretary Modly, Captian Crozier didn’t send the letter up properly up the chain of command.

Are you kidding me, Mr. Modly? Do you think the American people are really going to buy that?

Fortunately, that sense of outrage brought wide condemnation from the highest levels of our Government. Sen. Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate, complained that the “..Acting Navy Secretary shot the messenger — a commanding officer who … rightly focused attention on a broader concern about how to maintain military readiness during this pandemic.” He went on to say, “… the Navy sent a chilling message to the rest of the fleet about speaking truth to power.”

Members of Congress have been equally harsh. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., said that Congress would have lots of questions to the Navy leadership — on leadership. A joint statement from other members on the House Armed Service panel said, in part, “Dismissing a commanding officer for speaking out on issues critical to the safety of those under their command discourages others from raising similar concerns.”

This outrage forced Mr. Modly to backtrack — a little. Not only was Acting Secretary Modly planning on relieving Captain Crozier of command, but there was a little ‘palace coup’ action going on. Mr. Modly was planning on dismissing the good Captain from the Navy. A dismissal over being concerned over the lives of his crew? Again, are you kidding me, Mr. Modly?

Given the recent reluctance of the Department of Defense to share the real picture of how COVID-19 is affecting our troops, Captain Crozier must have known the Navy was not going to be pleased with his letter. But the Captain had a health and safety crisis on his hands, with several members of his crew having been tested positive with COVID-19. Unlike the Diamond Princess outbreak, where the passengers could be isolated in separate quarters, the close living quarters aboard the USS Roosevelt created a ‘super-spreader’ environment. Captain Cozier knew that and was willing to take bold leadership actions to contain the spread of the virus on the ship.

The Captain must have already received strong internal resistance within the Navy for his concerns. As a formal military officer myself, writing such a persuasive letter up the chain of command is never the first step. It’s often your last step when you have exhausted all other informal avenues to resolve the issue. Captain Crozier was more than just another military officer; he was a Navy ship Captain. Not just any Captain. He was the Captain of a nuclear-powered Navy aircraft carrier. Those positions only go to military officers with the potential to become Admirals. Captain Crozier was not just your average Naval officer. He was a rising leader with great potential.

Now, he was being relieved for “poor judgment” for sending this letter to 30 people, but not his immediate supervisor? Really?

From where I sit, when Captain Crozier sent out this letter, I’m sure he thought he had no other choice. He had a life-threatening situation on his hands, and for reasons unknown, his direct supervisor was probably stonewalling him. He had to take action. Courageous action. Noble action.

That’s precisely what he did. I’m not sure he intended his letter to be leaked to the press (which is how this whole story got out), but he must have known that there was a good chance of that based on the number of people who initially received this letter. He must have also known that there might have been a chance that he would be relieved of his command for his bold actions. The military bureaucracy hates people who are willing to circumvent poor leadership.

But he felt he had no choice. The lives of the people in his charge, his Sailors, were at stake. Acting as a noble leader, he was willing to their lives, their health, their safety above any thoughts of continued promotion.

It cost him his career. Even if he is not dismissed from the Navy, he has lost any chance of being promoted to Rear-Admiral. From my exposure to the military, Captain Crozier will be put into some “basement” job at the Pentagon, where he will be allowed to retire (probably as soon as possible).

Captain Crozier is an authentic leader. He has answered the noble calling of leadership. In an earlier article, I wrote:

Authentic leaders are those who are consumed by a noble calling. This noble calling will guide their lives — often at significant personal cost to themselves — and it will shape the lives of all they come in contact with, even those who do not willingly choose to follow them.

Captain Crozier answered the call of authentic leadership. I can think of no better example in recent days of the practice of this extraordinary, authentic leadership. In the dark days ahead, we can all learn from the courageous, noble actions of Captain Brett Crozier.

You, sir, are a true American hero.