Were NAVSEC Modly's comments to the crew of the USS Roosevelt appropriate? If not, what actions should be taken?

2020-04-07T09:21:06-04:00

Do these comments hurt or hinder the overall mission?

Full audio: https://soundcloud.com/user-31572041/thomas-modly-speech-on-theodore-roosevelt

UPDATE: Modly has offered his resignation to SECDEF

thomas-modly-speech-on-theodore-roosevelt

Response by TSgt David Holman made Apr 7 at 2020 9:31 AM

2020-04-07T09:31:49-04:00

That is an emphatic no. It shows all of the acting SECNAVs subordinates (which is technically two branches of the military) that he can't be trusted. He has now lost all credibility as a leader in their eyes since it shows that even if he does the right thing, he will gloat about it and throw them under the bus. It also destroys morale at a time when it is probably most crucial, specifically to those sailors. I am not going to defend the actions of the captain in question, nor am I going to say that a reasonable person in his position wouldn't take similar steps to take care of their people, however, I will say that a long hard look should be taken at the position of the acting SECNAV.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 7 at 2020 10:10 AM

2020-04-07T10:10:04-04:00

He was HIGHLY inappropriate... For a civilian political appointee to address a crowd of service members and shit talk a Commissioned Officer? It's low class at best.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2020 10:13 AM

2020-04-07T10:13:13-04:00

The irony is not lost upon me. First, he fires the Captain because the letter went outside "normal, secure" channels, and then Modly makes comments that are derogative and done outside "normal, secure" channels, and now his head is being asked for.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 7 at 2020 10:39 AM

2020-04-07T10:39:53-04:00

Several things went askew. The original communications outside the CoC, the unauthorized publicized video of the departure, and the awfully poor choice of words by SECNAV. The brutal truth is SECNAV was essentially correct. The problem is publically rubbing noses in it. Dirty laundry never airs nicely outside the fenceline. The loss of confidence was driven by a lapse in judgement and lack of understanding of the consequences. Seen it before. As the TR Skipper was passed over for Flag twice and had to be out within a year, it's anyone's guess if he went into martyr mode. Unfortunately, with my 42 years total rattling around the Navy (32 in uniform), the ability to work the public/internal interface has frequently been abysmal. I too had my fights with the Flags, but always kept it private.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2020 11:34 AM

2020-04-07T11:34:22-04:00

SSG Carlos Madden His choice of words was insulting and demeaning. By violating the cardinal leadership/management principle of "praise in public, criticize in private" he has had a severe negative impact on the credibility of the most senior management of the Navy. He needs to resign, or be quietly dismissed.
He needed to understand what the name Crozier means - a bishop's staff/symbol of authority derived from the shepherd's crook. The shepherd used the crook to protect his flock from marauders, which is what Capt Crozier did. Protect his flock from the invisible marauders, and from bureaucratic delay.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 7 at 2020 12:42 PM

2020-04-07T12:42:09-04:00

Look he is a civilian appointee, only the POTUS can fire him. Inappropriate for saying that a flippin CPT (COL) violated regulations, OPSEC and everything else that Intell lives for by sending a email to anyone who was not cleared for it or in his direct chain of command, plus didn't send it classified??? My God folks, if a Brigade Commander announced on the news that the Bde in A-stan, was 75% combat effective/sick.couldn't do its mission, just what the hell would the Taliban do- go home or hit us damn hard!. He wasn't fired for taking care of his people, but for voilating damn near every security regulation in the book, Yes he's fired, probably have to retire, but thats better than a COURTS MARTIAL which is the other choice.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 7 at 2020 1:16 PM

2020-04-07T13:16:22-04:00

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Apr 7 at 2020 2:41 PM

2020-04-07T14:41:52-04:00

No, they were not. Personally, I think Captain Crozier is the sort of officer who would likely fly his Hornet on one engine into the Valley of Death to drop ordnance and save lives... he's a good man. I still think what he did was technically wrong and worthy of censure, if not the firing he received. There are things you do, and things you don't do... and ways to fall on one's sword that minimize the collateral damage. What the acting SECNAV did after the fact may have been worse, however... much worse. The Sailors on the TR love Crozier for sticking his neck out for them... they should. There's not amount of "tough talk" that's likely to change that... nor should "Big Navy" try. Get the new Skipper on board, let him take the reigns, move on. Oh, and stand and deliver on the assistance that was indicated to be in the works at the time of the original incident. Do that, and the SECNAV "proves" the justification for Crozier's dismissal; do it not... and all you prove is that he may have had a point.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 7 at 2020 4:11 PM

2020-04-07T16:11:36-04:00

Good news!

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/07/politics/modly-resign-crozier-esper-trump/index.html?fbclid=IwAR0USHffA9iAA8DutSo2GOpLPWOjH2qQz1EX0NN_fz1xiWISq2eOL-nat9M

Acting secretary of the Navy resigns after calling ousted aircraft carrier captain 'stupid'

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned on Tuesday, a day after leaked audio revealed he called the ousted commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt "stupid" in an address to the ship's crew, according to a US official and a former senior military official.

Response by CPO Nate S. made Apr 7 at 2020 4:15 PM

2020-04-07T16:15:14-04:00

Fire him - the DAY BEFORE, THE DAY BEFORE - YESTERDAY!!!

SFC Michael Hasbun Oh! He quit. Hire him back for 30 minutes just long enough to catapult him off the TR strapped to Sparrow then launch his DA at a practice drone!

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 7 at 2020 8:26 PM

2020-04-07T20:26:44-04:00

While I disagree with CAPT Crozier's actions (transmissions of combat capabilities via unsecured channels to multiple recipients), what Modly did was low brow, unprofessional, and beneath the dignity of the position he was holding. Were I holding the office of POTUS, I would have bounced Modly by close of business the same day he made the comments.

Were I to be SECNAV, at first I said I would have removed Crozier. After more thought and reflection, I'd have probably pulled him in for a private conversation, given appropriate verbal chastisement, shook his hand, and sent him back to work. Depending on details not made public, MIGHT have quietly removed him without fanfare at a later inconspicuous manner.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Apr 8 at 2020 1:13 PM

2020-04-08T13:13:30-04:00

For a lot of reasons already provided I would say they were dumb. I'm not casting judgement on his decision to relive the CAPT of his command, I'm specifically talking about the 8000mi flight he took afterward to address the crew of the TR.

From what was reported and the CAPT's actions, my gut tells me the crew already felt abandoned by senior leaders of the Navy. I think flying out with the purpose of reassuring them of their mission and safety were paramount. Instead he did the opposite and probably did more damage to any remaining trust the TR crew had with their senior leadership.

He had to go.

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Apr 8 at 2020 1:51 PM

2020-04-08T13:51:00-04:00

I heard the words of an arrogant ex-junior officer acting out long held hostilities toward senior officers.
Covidiot Bone Spurs hired him. Another of those "best people" he favors so much.