I considered writing about the Captain of the Enterprise scandal but blew it off until I read Andrew Marcas’ piece on Big Peace. I was shocked that someone who never served in the military would consider himself qualified to condone such an action. Then in the same article refer to those of us who find Captain Honors deed inappropriate “thin skinned wusses.”
Then to top it off Jim Hanson’s piece blamed Captain Honors misstep on being a fighter pilot and condoned his conduct using some “eloquent” language himself. He goes on to say, “So unfortunately a good officer loses his chance to command the Enterprise over something this lame…”
So before these guys convince the rest of you that the incident does not rise to the occasion of being “barely sordid” or would not classify it as a “scandal” let me set the record straight.
This is not about some independent video producer based in the Midwest like Andrew Marcus. It is about an officer in our military and a senior officer at that. The military is not a democracy; it does not and cannot conform to civilian society. Strict regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) govern the military. Violating any of those regulations results in some form of punishment.
This incident violates military regulations that are designed to promote exemplary behavior, professional growth, inspire subordinates, and exemplify Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Further Captain Honors has lost “respect” and cannot be taken seriously.
Consider any Admiral or General presently serving; none of them would have made it to the rank of Admiral or General if they committed such an act.
What Captain Honors did was not about leadership; it was not about being an officer and a gentleman. Anyone who has had a career in the military would understand that.
I searched for the Navy’s leadership manual online to offer just what “Military Leadership” in the Navy means. I was unable to find it. Certainly the Navy’s leadership doctrine cannot be much different than the Army’s. Since I have a copy of the Army’s “Military Leadership Manual” FM 22-100 I will use some of it to explain why leadership is so important to our Armed Forces. And why officers who do not act in accordance with being “an officer and a gentleman” will soon find themselves relieved of command and their careers ended.
The Army’s “Military Leadership Manual” FM 22-100 states, “actions are the essence of leadership. Leaders who talk about honor, loyalty, and selfless service but do not live these values – both on and off duty–send the wrong message, that this ‘values stuff’ is all just talk.” Leadership is defined as …”influencing people – by providing purpose, direction, and motivation – while operating to accomplish the mission and improving organization.”
Every Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) and Commissioned Officer in the military receives a yearly evaluation. In the Navy it is called a “fitrep” or fitness report, in the Army it is called an Evaluation Report. The “fitrep” can be found at the Navy Personnel Command Website. The “fitrep” is used as the “gold standard” for being promoted, along with ones photo in a class A dress uniform. All “fitreps” in ones career goes before a promotion board along with the personnel file. If your photo is not impeccable, that is, your ribbons don’t match what is in your records, your brass is not on according to regulations, your trousers are wrinkled, there is a speck of lint on your tie, or your shoes are not polished you are going to the bottom of the stack. The same goes for your “fitrep”, any rating below “Greatly Exceeds Standards” will most likely put your promotion off until the next promotion board.
There are also blocks on the “fitrep” for “Promotion Recommendation” so one could be rated with “Significant Problems, Progressing, Promotable, Must Promote, and Early Promote.” Ones chances of promotion are nil if even one “bad” fitrep is in ones records.
The Navy “fitrep” has seven areas of “Performance Traits” each of these has a rating from “Below Standards” to “Greatly Exceeds Standards”. In the case of Captain Honors his next “fitrep” is likely to earn “Below Standards” for “Military Bearing/Character” which includes “adherence to Navy Core Values” and in “Leadership” for “creates problems for subordinates.” If he does not resign his commission he is likely to never be promoted and then forced out of the Navy.
What he did was “a major incident and breach of good order and discipline.” Under Section 933 Article 133 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice titled “Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman,” Captain Honors could face punishment by court-martial.
Further Article 134 states:
Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court.
He could also be charged under Section 917 Article 117 “Provoking Speeches or Gestures” which states:
Any person subject to this chapter who uses provoking or reproachful words or gestures towards any other person subject to this chapter shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
This incident rises to the prejudice of good order and discipline and brings discredit to our military. It undermines Captain Honors standing with subordinates and encourages disrespect. This kind of incident only makes our military look stupid. While the punishment may seem harsh no one ever said being a military leader was easy. I can think of no other profession that demands its leaders live up to the letter of the law, in this case the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.