Can someone who was frocked be arbitrarily unfrocked because they don't get along with the leading Master Chief Petty Officer?

2023-12-18T23:54:35-05:00

Back in 1980
I was serving as an Air Traffic Controller at NAS Lemoore and had qualified in the control tower in all positions, including Control Tower Supervisor. This was quite a feat for a 20 yr old E-4. My training for these positions took over a year of OJT. I had about 13 months left of active duty, I was a newlywed, when all of a sudden I got orders to NAVSTA Adak, Alaska. I asked to be extended at Lemoore to finish out my enlistment. Even though my request had been approved all the way up through the chain of command, I still got orders to transfer. Unfortunately the new duty station had a one year waiting list for married housing, so my wife lived with my parents while I finished up my last 13 months. Adak is considered isolated duty, as its on the Aleutian Islands, 1200 miles west of Anchorage. Because of the circumstances, I was really disappointed in the Navy. I was now going to have to qualify again, this time in GCA (ground controlled approach) radar. The short-sightedness of the Navy really annoyed me. My bad attitude showed. Shortly after arriving in Adak, I was frocked from E-4 to E-5. Unfortunately the ACCM (E-9) in charge of our unit and I didn’t see eye-to-eye. He was mad that the Navy sent a tower controller to a duty station that primarily was a radar controlled airspace as opposed to Lemoore which was primarily a tower controlled air station. He took his frustrations out on me. He gave me meanial task to do, task that should have been assigned to an E-3 or E-4. Finally his frustrations with me involved a meeting in to CO’s office. After our meeting I was sent to personnel where my record of promotion was literally whited out. The personnel staff member kind of scratched his head and asked why I was being unfrocked. I couldn’t explain. A few months later my enlistment was coming to an end and I was shipped back to NAS Lemoore to do my exit paperwork. I had 30 days left. The personnel staff there was also confused as to how and why I was unfrocked. Again I wasn’t able to give any explanation. After my discharge I received my Honorable Discharge in the mail, and my DD-214. I didn’t show any disciplinary action, but the re-enlistment code was RE-4, (not recommended for re-enlistment). My ID card listed me as an E-5, but my discharge showed me as an E-4. My question is this: was my unfrocking legal and proper?

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Dec 19 at 2023 1:15 AM

2023-12-19T01:15:59-05:00

That would be a question that I would take to JAG at your earliest opportunity. I know personally that my Congressman would get a phone call. The big deal is not the frocking; it is the RE code.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 19 at 2023 5:51 AM

2023-12-19T05:51:29-05:00

The Navy does promotion weird compared to the rest of the services, but an E-9 does not have statutory authority to reduce anyone. If you weren't reduced by a Captain's Mast, somebody screwed up. Not that it makes a lot of difference now, but if I had all the paperwork, I would send it to the Board of Corrections just to get it fixed.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2023 7:08 AM

2023-12-19T07:08:59-05:00

You'd have dig into the Navy regulations of that Era to find that answer. But, I did find a Navy MILPERSMAN message from 2021 that stated pretty much when a person gets frocked, they sign a statement of understanding that with this Frocking, the Navy Giveth and the Navy can Taketh. In other words, the Frocking is not permanent. Plus, I would bet that the linked document is based on what the policy would have been back in the '80s.

https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Reference/MILPERSMAN/1000/1400Promotions/1420-060%20.pdf

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Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 19 at 2023 9:31 AM

2023-12-19T09:31:58-05:00

Two different things you are asking at the end of the epic tale. No idea what the regulations for enlisted frocking were in the Navy back in the 80s, but yes, it can be undone (legally) at the unit level according to current Navy regulations*.

Assuming there was no fundamental change from the 80s to today, the Master Chief doesn't have the authority to 'unfrock' you, but the commander absolutely does. It is well within a reasonable possibility that he influenced the commander to rescind your froking and he did so.

As for your discharge showing you as an E-4, that is correct. You were frocked as an E-5, but your permanent grade was an E-4.
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* https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Reference/MILPERSMAN/1000/1400Promotions/1420-060%20.pdf

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Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 19 at 2023 10:12 AM

2023-12-19T10:12:58-05:00

Being frocked is different than being promoted. It's definitely possible for you to have it re-pealed if the Commander signs off on it. Did the date of rank for E5 extend beyond your EAS? That could be the reason it was pulled back considering you didn't mention any bad paperwork that would be the result of negative paperwork or NJP.