Two top Navy officers fired over $70 million carrier blaze

The Navy cant fix all your children of the what I call Generation X-box. Too Lazy to have worked a real job before the Navy, so they cant appreciate how good they have it in the Navy. I agree that, It is the Navy fault for advancing so many knuckleheads, The evaluation system is so far out of whack, you can be a total dirtbag, but if you can run a good PRT you will be an E-6 in four years, what kind of leadership skills can you develop in 4 years after high school....

I was out of commission all day yesterday having chemotherapy.
My response about "don't ask, don't tell" was due to an earlier, off-the-cuff comment, mixing "don't ask, don't tell" and the GW fire.
I interpret all of this in a more orthodox way. The CO and XO know that they played the game and they became a casualty. You have to trust 5000 men and women before you get in your rack at night and . . . unfortunately, some one or two folks weren't trustworthy. It happens, and it does not take away from the otherwise glorious careers of these two men, nor does it take away their pension. Somewhere there are a few smokers on that ship who will always wonder if it was their cigarette! I hope their conscience plagues them. Cheers, MGM

this is coming from a spouse who has a husband DIRECTLY involved in the fire on board the GW. I have had the honor of meeting both of these men who have given their "everything" for the US NAVY. To hear people say and post negative statements about them is completely uncalled for and disgusting in my point of view. These are two men that have given there all for their command and for the US Navy! I respect all that they did during this crisis and I think what has been done to them is unquestionable. I understand the whole chain of command thing.. I grew up in the navy and my husband is a dedicated naval officer. For anyone to say anything negative about these two men is uncalled for and I think "you" need to re-think your "standards". I and my husband will follow these two men to where ever they may go and I know that my husband is HONORED to have been able to serve under their command and I am honored to have been able to stand by their side for the brief time that I did! I am proud that my husband has been able to serve under their command!!!!!

A wide range of discussion is here but I'll comment on two issues. If a ship runs aground while the CO is in his at-sea cabin sleeping, he is responsible. There is no difference here. Like others have said, more info will follow and a better picture will be painted. Also, I can't see how Sailors (current or former) are so quick to bash others who are getting the job done. Let us face it, things have changed! Drawdowns, "Smart ships", and the war in Iraq have to be supported. Commands are operating with reduced numbers due to Individual Augmentees (aka I.A.s) but the job typically gets done safely. Couple that with a homeport shift and it is actually amazing that no Sailors were killed in this fire. With less people aboard than ever before they (the same Sailors being called everything but patriots) saved the ship from one of the most difficult types of fires to combat. I've been in over 26 years and know the 10% rule has always applied. The majority of Sailors out there are doing it right with less tax dollars and a rapidly changing world. Those who feel differently should visit a ship and see for themselves. If you are lucky enough to be on a ship and disagree, Shipmat

Reading all the varied comments, ideas, justifications, etc. in these posts, I ask only one question........who, in the chain of command (if indeed it exists) has the overall responsibility and is accountable for the performance, readiness, and safety of the ship and crew?
It has always been, and hopefully always will be, the C A P T A I N. The ship and crew display his demeanor, attitude, professionalism, and share in his successes and failures.
But why listen to me, I'm just an old retired Master Chief Petty Officer who sees tradition eroding in the Navy every day. Instead of a salute and an "aye aye Sir" and a "Carry on", I see a "but......but.....Sir, I can explain, I have an excuse, I have a reason". My wife she, my dog it, my car it, my part time job it, my other life it,. Come on Chiefs, get back to running the Navy, knowing what your jobs are, what is right and standing up for it, even if it means you must fight for what you believe is right for your ship and your men everyday. You don't have to be popular to earn a paycheck. If your CO is any kind of a professional, he will do his job and let you do yours. Just make sure you know what is right.
And one more thi

trying this in the public. It's a US Navy matter being delt with by the US Navy.

It's obvious that there are people that are commenting here that know what they are talking about (either from having known the two Captains themselves or from having served in the military) and those just babbling on without anything constructive to say or add.

Having suffered through a "media driven public witch hunt" earlier this year in my non-military public safety job-I have to say that I feel for these two fine military officers. They had what it took to get to where they were (meaning CO/XO of the carrier). It's a sad ending to thier careers, but life will go on. I salute them both and thank them for their service to this country.

People constantly complain about the poor quality of recruits in the service, including poor quality of officer leadership, however, the system, if used correctly, is designed to maximize efficiency by using a well trained chain of command - The X.O.'s task and the C.O.'s responsibility. I.E. enlisted leadership, from junior P.O.'s to Chief's should have noticed or realized something was wrong with the storage problem. Division Officers and responsible Department Heads should have been aware of what was in their spaces. Internal daily walk-thru's by all levels of leadership could/would/should have detected a potential problem. Had the X.O. been aware of what was going on by making his daily inspections/zone inspections, he should have seen/noticed problems before they became serious and mandated corrections. Lastly, the C.O., being ultimately responsible should have, at some time during the time the ship left port and the time of the fire, noticed irregularities in stowage problems. So, since no-one aboard seen a problem brewing, yes the C.O. and X.O. need to be held responsible. Yes, to be sure, others will be named at fault, especially those in the chain of command for th

Veteran for 22years. The problem began when we remove thre word "TRADITION" from our core value. The Admirals and our useless MCPON felt that being politcally correct and the new core values "Honor, Courage and Commitment" (what does that really mean?), and ability to resite the "Sailor's Creed" would bring loyalty and a better sailor. You reap what you sew! We as a military in a whole are letting more felons in, we have lowed the ASVAB scores to get in, and we give out huge bonuses to bring non-graduates into the service, not to mention the sorry Perform to Serve crap the gets rid of good sailors. Give some of that signing bonus to those that already serve loyal and honorably that money.

Get back to the TRADITIONS of the military and stop worrying about hurting this new generation of soldiers/sailors feelings.

It is within the privileges of Commander to the Pacific Fleet, to determine who commands his ships, but before we ruin the reputations of two fine officers:

I feel that a formal Naval Board of Inquiry be performed, due to the gravity of the damages, and monetary costs for repairs, and possible loss of confidence of Japanese civilian authorities to presume a "nuclear powered" ship is safe to be permanently stationed in Japan

Several writers have discussed, there could have been sufficient motivation to set up hazardous conditions and start a fire, for personal privilege. In a previous incident a USN cruiser was severely damaged by a wrench left in the main reduction gear due to a sailor who didn't want to leave.

It is strange that a large number of flammable containers were stored near a heat/flammable source, that weekly zone inspections failed to find, note or correct the defect, and that simple smoking started such a severe fire.

I await the preliminary investigation, and think that each Captain should formally request a formal mast and investigation.

VSS

If you were the CEO of a company and loss $70 million, you head would probably roll also.

Get a clue your post....

"My dad saw this coming years ago. Many who join the military w/in the last 20 or some years [especially the last 5-6] do it for the paycheck. They're insolent, arrogant, have no respect for their Commanding Officers...so now we have good officers being sacrificed because of this newer breed of ingrates. I understand the start-at-the top concept but those who will never have respect for others will not care one iota what their CO is trying to do or orders and they will have no remorse for being the one who caused a good man's military career to go in the dumper."

Is nothing but someones opinion. Some people as I said in my post, resepct their superiors and look up to them. I did. Be it there are some kids that join for the money but I didn't. I was proud to serve my country and my husband still is doing now. You are arrogant, for thinking that you know any better about this situation.

No one posting here can know exactly what happened, both with the fire and events leading up to it. True, zone inspections done properly would’ve found the improperly stored flammables. True, the sailor(s) suspected of smoking that may have started the fire were wrong. But that’s about all we know. The CO has the ultimate responsibility. Since the XO is also the ship’s Damage Control Officer, he’s responsible for the training and competency of those fighting the fire and minimizing damage and injury. Was the fire fought in accordance with proper training and regulations? We won’t know that for a long time to come. Will other GW sailors be disciplined? Count on it. Be thankful no one was seriously hurt or killed.

Having spent 30 years military and retired now I saw a trend where the "good ol boy network" feared and shunned negative leadership comments in fitness reports, a certain "kiss of death" in promotions. All to often the truth in fitness reports was held back in order to allow a "groomed" officer to make it to command. This "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" concept among the officer corps has allowed officers to reach senior rank while all along covering up shortcomings and laxes in strong leadership. Think about this: Each and every senior officer receives an "end of tour" award for just doing what he was put in the job to do in the first place. This automatic accumulation of awards, inflated fitness reports and fellowship in the "good ol boy network" has placed all to many senior officers in positions where they ultimately "Fell on their sword" and were relieved as appears the case with the CO and XO of the Washington. Sadly, military politics plays more of a role in promotions than competence. Was I glad to retire ? Certainly, I had enough of inflated leadership and good ol boy concepts.

lets get her fixed and get back out there :)

My dad saw this coming years ago. Many who join the military w/in the last 20 or some years [especially the last 5-6] do it for the paycheck. They're insolent, arrogant, have no respect for their Commanding Officers...so now we have good officers being sacrificed because of this newer breed of ingrates. I understand the start-at-the top concept but those who will never have respect for others will not care one iota what their CO is trying to do or orders and they will have no remorse for being the one who caused a good man's military career to go in the dumper.

Poster johnringo hit the point.
He called it diversity. I call it political correctness. Which generally boils down to personal responsibility. Few are held to responsible because it would interfere with being politically correct. It is a vicious circle with little accountability or responsibility.
China and Korea could care less what we call it.
Unquestioned acceptance of diversity lives in the vicious circle already mentioned. Once granted, it appears near impossible too regain order.
There is only power in numbers if everyone is doing the same thing the same way for the same reason, knowing that your colleagues are doing it exactly the same instills trust.
There is a time and place for diversity. Shipboard and the military in general is not it.

they should be seeting the mood for the environment of the command. One that is proactive and instills fear into the most junior sailor that if he/she gets caught, they will face severe punishment. Not to mention the fact that most ships hold many zone inspections that should have caught the unsafe storage of flammable materials, it wasn't a tin can of JP-5 that went up, it should have been evident...

But again, hind sight is 20/20

The burden of command

It is not necessary to weep for the fallen,an aircraft carrier is a national asset,those that take command do so with the full knowledge that they assume total responsibility for that asset. It makes no difference that Captain Dave Dykhoff was not the one smoking in a restricted area nor does it matter that the whole chain of command down to the seaman that was smoking was not disciplined.

Captain Dykhoff like all humans is not perfect,he was also unlucky in that this happened on his watch it could have happened to any commander with the same results.

It is simply the risk one takes in excepting the burden of command of a national asset with 5000 crew any one of which can end your career with a stupid act.

Captain Dave Dykhoff was responsible for the training and discipline of the crew,that training and discipline was shown to be lacking in one crew member. This makes it his responsibility if not his fault.

With great responsibility comes great risk. Captain Dave Dykhoff was cognizant of this and accepted it. As do all Commanding Officers.

I don't think you know every sailor that went into the Navy the last 10-15 years do you? Did you know that onboard the GW at quarters they are all responsible to receit (sp?) the Sailor's Creed? I was on that ship for 4 years and I can tell you that not every "squid" is trying to get the job done fast and "run to the beach". I joined the Navy in 99 and so did my husband. We both are very proud of serving our country and looked up to our superiors.(PS Thanks to Warrent Officer Streeter for always helping me a better sailor) I have never skated out of work and I can tell you that my husband is the go to guy in any command he goes to. A very hard working sailor. So please don't lump every single sailor that joined in the last 10-15 years together because if we didn't really care what we were doing than there wouldn't be Chief's and first classes right now, they had to start somewhere right? There will be more repercussions than just the CO and XO, it just won't be as important (to the Pilot) to put in the news as this.

i served on board the george washington for almost three years. i was there for the fire and i fought it from start to finish. i find it hard to believe that if the first call was on the 02 level that it started in a void where the hazmat was. how does a fire that was called away on the 02 level start all the way down onthe 7th deck. beats me somebody needs to look farther into the circumstances. i am going to school to be a arson investigator and they taught me that white smoke that was reported (and i saw first on the 02 level)is a wood fire black smoke is a fuel fire. i was on the 6th deck in the shop and when they called away the at sea fire party there was no smoke in the area where the fire was suppose to be started. as far as the CO/XO getting fired. i dont agree with that. they cant be in 500 places at once. how was they to know that even if someone was smoking where and when they were doing it. i have alot of friends on there and i dont want to see anyone go down for this but something else could have happen other than firing the two top people. come on think about what you are doing.

I was stationed onboard the GW and storage/usage of Hazardous Materials was always a problem. The daily hassle of the complex process of checking out materials and checking them in afterwards for basic tasks didn't make the Engineering/Reactor Khaki happy at all. To them it took way to long, wasn’t enough for the job at hand, so on and so forth. They told us to do one thing and made us do another all the time for one reason or another (not enough money or personal). This also is what happens when you put Airedales in charge of engineering at a command level onboard a boat this size. The ship is so big and they don’t know what goes on below decks other then what they were told. I can see a brown shoe Officer going down a seven deck ladder to the shaft alley to check for improper stored material; Yeah OK!!!! I can say personally that this was bound to happen eventually because of all the pressure to keep this ship in top notch shape above the other carriers in the fleet. Looks like 3 steps forward and 100 steps back to me.

True, someone has to fall or be disciplined, but it’s unfortunate that the experience gained by this mistake has been removed from service. I believe the $70 million price tag made the decision who would take the fall. I’m a merchant marine officer with prior enlisted service in the Navy. When there is a mistake on a merchant vessel, discipline is conducted by the US Coast Guard and the company. I’ve only seen Masters removed due to their own direct mistakes. Were these officers incompetent? The Captain is overall responsible for the ship and crew, but with thousands of crew members he depends on the lower leadership to keep discipline. Where were the Jr. Officers and Chief Officers in charge of the spaces? What happened to the routine inspections or the security rounds to ensure the spaces didn’t have unauthorized hazardous materials or smokers? The Captain can’t do it all by himself. I would say he is at fault for not keeping a thumb on his lower leadership. “Those directly involved in starting the fire could be subject to administrative action?” I will be interested to see what the outcome is.

...who is already in Japan waiting for the ship to arrive, I am relieved that some sort of action has been taken. And although the entire crew should be looking out for violations that could have negative effects, when it comes down to it, the ship is ultimately the Captain's responsibility. Let's just get the repairs finished so our sailors can get on with it!

go ahead and axe away all of that good experience at the top because some 3rd class tried to sneak a smoke. Way to go Navy. Keep up that tradition, so the next poor bums at the top can get axed too when something happens. You know....If you leave your top people in command, they might just become better commanders after incidents like this. But noooooo.... let's just cut off our noses to make our faces look even uglier. One poster said we should run city and state governments this way....yeah right....bring on the chaos.

Do you read every line of an article or just the words you understand? Other people were responsible such as the "Chief" and have already been to mast and disciplined. Do you really think they would just hold the XO and CO accountable?

And as someone already said - the reason Officers have a bigger paycheck is because when the crap hits the fan, they are the ones who take the punishment as well as the enlisted who are/were responsible.

And yes, Laura, if other parts of gov't were run this way, everything would be much easier!

I am proud to say my husband serves aboard the GW and has been "stuck" in CA but it has given him the chance to come home 3 times which is a blessing. Kind of ironic how a tradegy can work out in some regard for others... but they aren't too miserable going to Padres games and sports bars and the Zoo and other fun stuff - don't let the article fool ya. They are just sick of walking around everywhere!

Is the common drivel spoted off by todays junior disgruntled sailor. There is no pride in service anymore, no respect for the leadership and most importantly no adherence to the core values. The core values and the sailors creed are more jokes to the squids that have entered the Navy in the last 10-15 years. Getting the job done right takes a back seat to getting it done as quickly as possible then skating out the door to the beach.
The only way to fix the navy is to get rid of the touchy feely softness and go back to a time when uniformity was key and the chain of command was something to be feared so much that you would actually think before you did something stupid like this.

laura eichbaum wrote:

that we don't run the city and state governments like this!

Many countries have tried this; two of the most famous were Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

For all its faults, I'll take our republic over a dictatorship any day...

frankly I find it refreshing that the Navy's finally chopping heads a bit further up the CoC. I'm sure the PO & Chiefs involved or with oversight responsibility will be disciplined or have letters put in their files or both.

"This is an all too common case here in the Navy. Don't ask and Don't Tell? Yes Sir Sir! And your promoted"

What kind of nonsense is this?????

Did I miss something? Where did the "don't ask, don't tell" get brought up in this piece? If I missed it, my apologies.