Portsmouth, Va. - Vice Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr., commander of the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area here, has temporarily relieved the commanding officer of a Boston-based cutter citing a loss in confidence in the officer’s ability to command.
Cmdr. Howard R. Shaw, the commanding officer of the 270-foot medium endurance cutter Escanaba that is currently on patrol in the Caribbean, has been temporarily reassigned to the Coast Guard’s First District staff in Boston pending the final results of the administrative investigation.
Coast Guard Cutter Elderberry officer in charge relieved JUNEAU, Alaska - Rear Adm. Gene Brooks, Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District and Capt. Melissa Bert, Commander, Coast Guard Sector Juneau, temporarily relieved Senior Chief Petty Officer James Madsen Thursday from his duties as Officer in Charge of the Cutter Elderberry for loss of confidence in the ability to command. Final determination regarding a permanent removal or resumption of command is made by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in Washington, D.C.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Woodward, assigned as the Officer in Charge at Aids to Navigation Team Sitka, has assumed temporary command of the Cutter Elderberry.
Senior Chief Madsen has been temporarily reassigned to the Coast Guard in Ketchikan, Alaska.
The Cutter Elderberry a 65-foot inland buoy tender homeported in Petersburg, Alaska.
Never worked with the good Senior Chiefm but I always seen him as a solid leader and Officer in Charge. This should be interesting to hear the details of this.
Hate to see another OINC get thrown into the wirl-wind of allogations and B.S. Good luck Jim and keep your head up.
Thought that Sector Juneau just had a new 4 striper change of command about this time last year ? Looks like that Admiral didn't let the last one make it quite a year. Now a brand new CO showing up in town and making a statement ?? The new hatchet is in town for 8 days and already getting what seems like a popular senior officer "CYA" practice is in place. Maybe some of those top level management types aren't quite leading properly.
You have quite a agency to be employed in. Good Luck BMCS.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastersmate,
Unfortunately, if the CO is out to get him, he will.... This term "Loss of Confidence" paints with a big brush, and is not well defined.
When all is said and done, the CO can do an "administrative action" and attempt to have his OIC certifications removed. The problem here is far too often these things get "rubber stamped" at the HQ level.
I wish the BMCS well. Not knowing anything about this it is hard to comment on. I suspect he will comment those he wishes to share his info with. For others, they will just try to piece things together, rumors will run rampant.. and unfortunately they often get things wrong.
If the Gru/Sector CO is out to get the OIC, then his/her days are numbered. I would argue that every OIC out there is going to break some policy this week. Not any big ones, but then who gets to say what policies are big? The CO - the one who you hope isn't out to get you.
Rubber stamp? You betchya. The letter you get from the district commander's office says you can provide a statement, but don't disparage anyone. Oh....like you can't put in your statement anything about the Group Commander making repeated comments over the past six months to department heads about how one individual OIC should get fired. Nope, those would be disparaging and are not allowed.
Also completely right about the rumors. I doubt anybody knows what happened here except Jim. Rumors will fly, and there will be documentation of alleged facts, but that documentation will be so inherently biased that the truth will be missed.
You only forgot one point, and one which is arguably the most important for Jim right now. He is likely going through the hardest part of his entire life right now. I know I just about ate a large caliber bullet when I was RFCd. Thank GOD (and my wife) I didn't do that, because now, just a handful of years later, I know there is life after a RFC.
Jim - feel free to email me at Disinherited2006@yahoo.com
First off... there is nothing in or out of the CG that is worth doing harm to yourself or anyone else... I have seen a few GREAT people (Coasties) take their own life over things that could only be catagorized as trivial, in the big scheme of things and life... yes, they were big things in their mind, but not that big. If you harm someone else you will give up your freedom for a 10 x 10 prison cell... Neither of these are good alternatives in my book.
My mother was suicidal, and it was quite common for her to slice her wrists in front of my sister and I or hold a loaded 38 to her head and ask if we want to watch her pull the trigger. She was strange anyway.
I have had some bad times in the CG, and suicide never crossed my mind. I am way to stubborn for that. I would rather become the biggest pain in the @ss the command has ever seen should they cross me, and thats exactly what has happened a time or two.
I think the military in general trumps up its place as an employeer. They make it seem like hard work with low pay is all you have and there is nothing else out there for you. There are so many better paying jobs with just as much job satisfaction out there. I dont regret for a second getting out of the CG. I dont have the time for a bunch of nonsense and ignorance. As the old saying goes, "If you dont like it, leave" I didnt like it, so I left, and one Group Commander with **** poor leadership changed my mind on staying.
Wray, you are damn correct on the "out to get you" comment. They will find a way. The only difference in my case was that I came out of the corner towards the exit like a freight train and ensured I gave, just as well as I took with that CO.
I have known Jim for years (actually went to Boot Camp together). I find it hard to beleive that Jim made a mistake. If he did it was an honest one that any of us could have made too. An OIC position is the toughest job I have ever done in the CG and sometime we have to make the tough decisions and not everone agrees with it!!!
Originally posted by 98Ducati: I find it hard to beleive that Jim made a mistake. If he did it was an honest one that any of us could have made too.
Those that have never worked Aids to Navigation often do not understand the 'risks' that must be taken to get the job done. Unlike the 'white' cutters that avoid shallow areas, the black cutters are often looking for them so they can properly mark 'em.
Once again, I feel this term "loss of confidence" is definately overused.
Top four went down in one broad swoop. Dont know the names but from what I understand it was quite a mess. Can't say much, all I have is rumors, and ya know how that goes. I'm sure the details will be out soon. Dave
Originally posted by dduren: Top four went down in one broad swoop. Dont know the names but from what I understand it was quite a mess. Can't say much, all I have is rumors, and ya know how that goes. I'm sure the details will be out soon. Dave
My lord, to take out the entire command cadre, it tells me it involved one of two things. Either unit readiness, or finances.
All I can say is that I was TOTALLY suprised by the relief of BMCS!! He is a completely stand up guy and I would work under him any day of the week!! Keep your head up Senior!!
Readiness just seems a stretch to me. I'd bet 8H, money or 'Command Climate' stuff that was reportable by 'less culpable' folks who were relieved who should have reported up the chain and failed to do so. (Total guess, I know nothing but what is here)
Maybe some of those top level management types aren't quite leading properly. 
