He was fired for his neglect in forwarding the letter to a large number of people, ensuring it’s leak to the media. Additionally, the memo included information that disclosed actual or proposed reductions in the ship’s combat readiness, and should have been classified. Where was his concern when his ship was scheduled for a port visit in Vietnam during an outbreak of a dangerous infectious disease?
The letter was fine. The leak was a fireable offense, and the actual leaker should be court martialed.
"7. Conclusion. Decisive action is required. Removing the majority of personnel from a deployed US. nuclear aircraft carrier and isolating them for two weeks may seem like an extraordinary measure. A portion of the crew (approximately 10%) would have to stay aboard to run the reactor plant, sanitize the ship, ensure security, and provide for contingency response to emergencies. This is a necessary risk. It will enable the carrier and air wing to get back underway as quickly as possible while ensuring the health and safety of our Sailors. Keeping over 4,000 young men and women on board the TR is an unnecessary risk and breaks faith with those Sailors entrusted to our care... This will require a political solution but it is the right thing to do. We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die. If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset our Sailors. Request all available resources to find NAVADMIN and CDC compliant quarantine rooms for my entire crew as soon as possible."
One might suspect perhaps he saw the spread of COVID-19 rapidly in other test template environments...on the Diamond Princess here berthed in Japan (one big clusterf with I think 10 now dead and hundreds infected), the Grand Princess in California, etc etc. Who knows, maybe he ran the numbers from the DP as a simulation, and correctly noted in such a cramped naval situation, the ship's CV-19 outbreak had a basic reproduction number of 14.8; much higher than the usual 2–4.
Perfect explanation
I’ve been reading this item and agree with President Trump.
He wrote a 5 page letter and sent copies to 20 people?
With his next in command right on the ship with him?
He should be fired.
What an idiot.