The U.S. Navys official news service recently reported that Vice Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, Director Navy Staff, relieved Cmdr. Thomas C. Graves of command of the USS Constitution because of a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to command.
Now a loss of trust and confidence is a euphemism for any number of things the Navy (or any organization worried about its reputation) would rather not have in the public eye. Sometimes it actually has something to do with a commanders warfighting ability, but in this case its safe to assume its ahem something else. Besides a ceremonial spin around Boston Harbor in 1997, the over two centurys old Constitution has been welded to the pier since 1934. The frigates cannons were last fired in anger in 1815 1854.
So lets just say one has to do something pretty stupid to lose a superiors trust and confidence when ones command is a tourist attraction. Wed hate to prejudge, of course, but for some reason the expression Friggin in the riggin comes to mind.
(Updated, 140 EDT, May 17) — Navy Times reports that sources familiar with the incident said that Graves allegedly struck an enlisted member of his crew with a stack of paperwork.
Which, of course, is different that what we previously insinuated in terms of what he used to “strike” a member of his crew.
(Gouge: ED)
– Ward
“Friggin
“But for some reason the expression.…“
Has Nick Denton purchased Defenselink? ‘Cause that sounds like libel-skirting reportage of a rumor someone picked up over lunch somewhere.
So seriously — when do we get the story, as opposed to the insinuation?
Why is this even news on DT? Are you going to report anytime the military demotes anyone completely unrelated to either actual Defense or new Tech?
I wonder if this firing is related to the recent call in a USNI publication (Naval History?) for allowing the USS Constitution to cruise again? (To both benefit recruiting, the USS Constitution itself, and, well, toss in some general Navy PR bennies to boot)…
As for appropriateness of the post? Understanding the legacy systems upon which our present tech is based is the basis for better weaponry. Period.
I’ve been a critic about some posts. But this was a fine, informative post…frankly, it is kinda weird to boot a commander of a tourist site. And if you ask me, there’ve been an interesting uptick in command firings of late. (A destroyer CO punched out within weeks of the Consitution business, if I recall…) And there never is a reason attached to the dismissals, so it’s darn hard to push these stories along. And you know, who knows?…ultimately tech might be behind the removal…
Oh, and it does sail, by the way. Twice, three times a year, USS Constitution gets hauled out, taken out to the Harbor entrance for a cannon salute, and redocked.
Must say that I’ve been on it underway (And its a real treat to be on deck when the vessel starts firing salutes!). Pretty neat stuff, even if the poor vessel’s being pushed about by a tug. Hope to see it sailing under it’s own power someday soon.
Jacques: no. It’s an alliterative euphemism for fornication aboard ship.
Now
I have a picture of OLD IRONSIDE from Radio Picture Frame Co. Inc. 104 So. 4th St. Brooklyn N.y. # are L42163 7379/2 It looks really old and I’d like to know if you know anything about this.
The reason he got “relieved” of duty was that he was a very strick captain, and the crew is very lazy (most of them are around 19–21). So since he was strict they got angry and 3 or so decided to file a complaint while they over exadurated every thing that happend. I know him personally and he wouldn’t do any of the stuff he was accused of…