Here’s the Fitzgerald CO’s side of the story

The Navy brass it seems often just have a find a scapegoat for anything that happens and that is seems is nothing new. Often the responsibility seems to largely res with them but no blame someone else. Lets see, the Captain is on deck 12 hours then need some res, of course You still have to sleep. Nothing like total lack of support and reasonable response for the people in Your chain of Command that the Admirals show over and over and over again. Once again they got caught with their own poor management from their office battle chairs !

It is a hard situation to be in. He cannot watch 100% of the crew 100% of the time. At some point as a leader you have to trust your people to do the right thing. My husband used to sail as a merchant marine licensed officer both before and after he was Navy and often commented on the differences between civilian and military navigation technique. I know we have some other merchant sailors on here too and I wonder what their views are on this.

I'm glad to see this. I know there will be some rancor, not only over the removal of criminal charges, but the CO's decision to offer rebuttal... but my personal opinion is that the "whole story" is owed on this one, and his response no less critical to preventing future incidents than the numerous reports already released.

We all know and understand that the risks of service aren't always in battle. Airborne soldiers risk their lives each time they jump, exercises involving heavy and complex machinery, inclimate weather, weapons... they all present the possibility of disaster. Operating a vessel at sea is nothing short of placing one's life at the hands of a complex system of both personnel and equipment in constant peril.

Naval officers also realize that mistakes, particularly those resulting in the loss of material, let alone lives, usually result in severe consequences... but a prison term, dishonor, and the condemnation of one's professional and personal character are not always punishments befitting the circumstances.