Have some commanders think nothing of this? Relationship, fistfight costs TRF XO his job.

2015-09-07T19:19:30-04:00

I think the wife was just as much responsible for this incident, but , the commander decided to roll the dice and lost. I hate to see these things happening. It ruins so many lives and puts a smug mark on our military.

An executive officer was left hospitalized by an angry husband and, to add salt to the wounds, fired Aug. 24 for flouting a military protective order issued by his skipper.

Cmdr. Vinny Wood, the XO of Trident Refit Facility, Kings Bay, Georgia, was removed from his post by Capt. Gunter Braun, the TRF’s commanding officer, the TRF announced Aug. 31.

Wood is being investigated for an alleged affair with a married civilian employee; he has been reassigned to Submarine Group 10 at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

The events that led to Wood’s firing started when the skipper learned that his XO was involved in an unduly familiar relationship. Braun “thought it prudent, based on existing information,” to issue a Military Protective Order on Aug. 21, said Mark Turney, TRF spokesman. The order specified that Wood was to have no contact with the protected individual.

But Wood was with the married woman in the early morning hours of Aug. 23, according to a police report obtained by Navy Times. Her husband soon arrived; he referenced the protective order and taunts from both sides quickly turned physical. The fight left Wood in the hospital for at least 24 hours.

The fisticuffs left him with “a large contusion to his left eye, several knots on his head, an abrasion to the bridge of his nose, a small cut under his nose, and abrasions to both knees,” according to the report. A beer bottle also was thrown through the rear window of Wood’s car.

The sheriff’s deputy reported that he made contact with Braun from the hospital. The skipper confirmed that Wood had been issued a military protective order, adding that “the military would take appropriate measures in reference to the violation,” according to the report.

The command said it would be inappropriate to discuss specifics of the case while the investigation remains open, but said a primary goal is to determine the nature of the relationship. Wood did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.

While military protection orders are typically issued to protect a victim of domestic abuse or child abuse and to control the behavior of the alleged abuser, commanders also use such orders to prevent unduly familiar relationships deemed prejudicial to good order and discipline. In the case of a field grade officer, this includes any inappropriate relationship or fraternization with an enlisted sailor, subordinate or married individual, among others. A military protection order remains in effect until terminated by the commander. Violation can result in disciplinary action to include nonjudicial punishment or court-martial.

Though he was named XO in April, Wood has been assigned to TRF since May 2012. He is a limited duty officer who enlisted in 1988 and rose to the rank of machinist mate first class before being commissioned. He was promoted to commander on Feb. 1. He has received surface warfare officer, submarine service and diver qualifications, and has served on six ships and submarines. His decorations include two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and seven Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

The Navy typically discloses the removal of command level positions — flag officers, CO, XO and CMC — within a day or two. When asked why it took seven days to disclose the action, Turney said the TRF “takes this action very seriously and reacted quickly to the situation. The press release was made immediately once the final decision and all subsequent chain of command notifications were completed.”

A senior and qualified officer within TRF has been tasked to fill the XO’s seat until the investigation is complete.

Wood is the second submariner fired this year. Cmdr. Tory Swanson, skipper of the attack submarine Mississippi, was fired Feb. 27 due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command. The decision was related to Swanson’s on-the-job performance and operational decision-making, officials said.

Staff writer Mark D. Faram contributed to this report.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2015 7:28 PM

2015-09-07T19:28:02-04:00

He was already ordered to stay away from her and didn't. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
I find his situation hilarious on a personal level, and embarrassing professionally.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 7 at 2015 7:41 PM

2015-09-07T19:41:38-04:00

He had all the information he needed to make the right choices. He chose wrongly. He wasn't blindsided. He willfully threw away his career. Over a woman. Who more than likely will now have nothing to do with him going forward. What a waste.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 7 at 2015 8:56 PM

2015-09-07T20:56:24-04:00

Oh how the mighty fall...

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Sep 8 at 2015 12:22 AM

2015-09-08T00:22:26-04:00

An individual who is charged with the care & disposition of National Assets should probably be relieved for such an absence of judgment. By the way, can someone cut & paste this article into the recent, heated Fraternization discussion?

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Sep 8 at 2015 12:49 AM

2015-09-08T00:49:54-04:00

Moral incompetency strikes again.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Sep 8 at 2015 3:56 AM

2015-09-08T03:56:40-04:00

That's just dumb. The wake up call came with the protective order but he didn't listen and paid the price. I agree it takes two to tango but apparently she isn't in the military and isn't bound by UCMJ.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Sep 8 at 2015 6:12 AM

2015-09-08T06:12:44-04:00

You don't shit where you eat. Leadership is all about trust and judgement. I guess he'll retire a LCDR.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 8 at 2015 12:52 PM

2015-09-08T12:52:20-04:00

I think the husband should be put in for a BS with valor attached. He tried to make his marriage work with this fool interfering and stayed as long as he could. He ended up whooping this dudes ass for messing with his wife and upsetting his family unit. This commander got his just deserts in two different ways. Now what is the Navy going to do to put him out? He doesn't deserve retirement IMO. I wonder if the husband was Army or Marine and that combatives program was put to good use?

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Sep 8 at 2015 6:43 PM

2015-09-08T18:43:13-04:00

Simple stupidity...kill a career over a fling. Its hard enough to climb the enlisted ranks and get selected for LDO; then to climb the ranks once again to commander. There are enough examples of stupidity that killed careers, one would think, but here's another.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 10 at 2015 5:47 AM

2015-09-10T05:47:12-04:00

I hope he gets charged with Conduct unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman.

Response by CW2 Carl Swanson made Sep 17 at 2015 6:56 PM

2015-09-17T18:56:53-04:00

Adultery, Conduct Unbecoming, Willfull disobedience of a Direct Order......did I miss anything?