Posted on 01/29/2024 9:27:10 PM PST by 11th_VA
Navy captain’s yelling and public “humiliation” of her officers and crew was so severe and frequent — once for the mistake of pointing out dolphins swimming nearby the ship’s bridge — that sailors were afraid to bring bad news to her attention. That “fear culture” aboard the USS Lake Erie, a scathing Navy investigation found, could have created “a higher risk of having a safety or operational mishap” and an “unsafe command environment where sailors do not … exercise sound judgment.”
…
As the commander of the Lake Erie, the report found, DeFant grabbed or struck her officers while they were on duty on the ship’s bridge, alienated the ship’s senior enlisted crew known as the Chief’s Mess, overreacted to minor transgressions like pointing out the dolphins, and in a briefing to an admiral failed to mention abysmal feedback she had received from the crew.
The admiral who eventually fired DeFant wondered if she had “deliberately whitewashed” the crew’s comments.
At least twice, investigators found, DeFant grabbed or hit an officer on the ship’s bridge, while they were on duty as the ship’s Conning Officer, the watch position directly responsible for the heading, speeding and steering of the ship, who is said to “have the conn.” …
The investigation of DeFant was first reported by KPBS in San Diego, which received the report via a Freedom of Information Act request.
DeFant was relieved of command of Lake Erie by Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, on October 12. Alexander, the commander of Carrier Strike Group Nine, endorsed the findings of the investigation on October 5.
DeFant was the captain of the Lake Erie for almost two years. The investigation was launched, the final report says, about 14 months into her command, after three anonymous complaints of “toxic command climate and sexual discrimination.” …
(Excerpt) Read more at taskandpurpose.com ...
Yes. Not making this up. The XO of my ship (mid 1970’s) was the same way during mooring exercises - any exercise that involved two ships in close proximity, he was totally in charge, trusted no one. Problem is, he starts barking orders and you kinda freak out over his emotional outbursts.
It was said that she got physical. I was wondering if
anyone had seen that.
You need your people sharp, and barking overly critical
orders will make some of them freeze up.
I think it’s a poor way to go. Evidently he was not sure
of himself, and this training or expectations of his men.
That’s kind of on him after a while.
Thank you...
But you do realize, if a ship has an accident, the CO and sometimes XO careers are over. Like my XO, she trusted no one.
I do, and I’m not saying he shouldn’t go after someone who
wasn’t using proper procedures. Of course he should keep
the crew in line. I just think it’s better to correct them
in the moment, and then read them the riot act later.
But I bet your old XO wasn’t a chick.
>> I just think it’s better to correct them
in the moment, and then read them the riot act later.
... and maybe avoid that riot-act-reading stuff right before your PERIOD.
At least she didn’t grab anybody by the P...
Smile...
Well, if it helps beat the fear of screwing up into them,
it might be okay at times. Ha!
Just wait until the Jihadis start producing micro-aggressions.
Two years of this crap? That’s long enough.
No, my XO wasn’t a chick - that didn’t hit the fleet til I was gone from active duty.
A Queeg-ette.
Those bull dykes can be mean. I suppose that’s why lesbian couples have such a high rate of abuse.
Being a b1tch (or an a$$hole guy) is not “leadership”. Many think it is.
I gotta say, this sounds a little "snowflakeish". If everyone involved were male, it would be no big deal. The junior officer would take his lumps and not screw up next time. When I was on watch and gave direction, I demanded people pay attention. Lollygag on watch and you might just get a little "old navy"...
An eyepatch and scraggly beard and she could pass for a congressman from Texas. Hint hint.
I wonder who took her strawberries.
EC
How does a bad actor like that even make Captain? Should have been passed over at Lt. Commander.
hehhehehe
Those....EARS....
my goodness...
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