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The full text of the Navy's statement regarding the relief from command of Enterprise commanding officer Capt. Owen Honors.
NORFOLK, Va. – Adm. John C. Harvey Jr., Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), has permanently relieved Capt. Owen Honors of his duties as commanding officer of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) for demonstrating poor judgment while serving as executive officer of that ship.
“The responsibility of the Commanding Officer for his or her command is absolute. While Capt. Honors’ performance as commanding officer of USS Enterprise has been without incident, his profound lack of good judgment and professionalism while previously serving as executive officer on Enterprise calls into question his character and completely undermines his credibility to continue to serve effectively in command.
The foundation of our success in the Navy lies in our ability to gain and hold the trust of our Sailors, including through personal example. This responsibility is so important that it is written into Navy Regulations. When confidence and trust are lost in those who lead, we fail. After personally reviewing the videos created while serving as executive officer, I have lost confidence in Capt. Honors’ ability to lead effectively, and he is being held accountable for poor judgment and the inappropriate actions demonstrated in the videos that were created while he served as executive officer on Enterprise,” said Harvey.
“It is fact that as naval officers we are held to a higher standard. Those in command must exemplify the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment which we expect our Sailors to follow. Our leaders must be above reproach and our Sailors deserve nothing less,” said Harvey.
Capt. Dee Mewbourne will be permanently assigned as the commanding officer of Enterprise. Captain Mewbourne most recently commanded USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and while in command he completed two successful combat deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Capt. Mewbourne is currently serving as the Chief of Staff for Navy Cyber Forces and will assume command of USS Enterprise this afternoon.
“We will support and work with Capt. Mewbourne and the crew of Enterprise to keep them forward focused on their upcoming combat deployment. This is a difficult situation but the men and women of Enterprise are outstanding Sailors who have completed a very challenging and comprehensive predeployment work-up period in a thoroughly professional manner. They are well-trained and I have full confidence in their readiness to execute all missions during their deployment,” said Harvey.
The relief of Capt. Honors occurs as the investigation continues into the inappropriate videos that Honors made while serving as Enterprise's executive officer from 2006-2007. The nvestigation will continue to look at all aspects of the production of the videos, to include the actions of other senior officers who knew of the videos and the actions they took in response.
Capt. Honors has been reassigned to administrative duties at Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.
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polical correctness
This guy was doing nothing other than trying to entertain and lift the moral of his sailors. The fleet leadership who made this boneheaded decision should be relieved of command for being gutless, politically correct wogs.
J Scott Bembry, M.D.
PC run amok
“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.” George Orwell
The military is a fraternity, an elite band of brothers (men) that has a sworn duty to defend the country. Each must be able to absolutely trust that the man behind him is covering his back, not sizing up his backside. It doesn't matter whether his backside is being sized up or not. It only takes a speck of doubt to turn absolute trust to vapor.
I cannot find a single world class military made up entirely of gays. Nor one made up entirely of women. But I see our military failing because it has become a social laboratory of political correctness. I fear for America.
Arm Twist
It's pretty bad when we have to twist the arm of the Navy leadership to do the right thing.
maybe not the best decision
I just watched the videos on Pilotonline and my opinion is that while some are probably poor judgement, the words used, and suggestive subjects and pictures are no worse than you see on youtube or hear in a comedy club or entertainer on cable TV. When you get around a bunch of guys you are going to hear colorful words to say the least. I am not sure this warrants removal of his post, perhaps a reprimand is in order.
Seems like a little to PC. When sailors are on board a ship you need distractions and have some fun. Maybe he should have used better judgement. By the way I never served in the Navy, just some comments from the civilian side of things.
Sad times indeed
Its a shame that they always need a fall guy. This happened in 2006-2007. I am sure the Chain knew about these videos...They promoted this man and now because we as Americans have become so soft towards how things are precieved that they fire a good military man..These videos were not bad especially when compared to whats on normal everyday TV..So if this Skipper gets canned over these videos who's to say anyone else who posts a funny skit on youtube or break that someone out there might take offense..When do we draw the line..We as Americans give more repsect and credit to athletes who cheat,abuse drugs and other serious moral and criminal offenses than we do to our men and women who are serving thier country.
Excellent!!!
Surprise surprise! Apparently someone in the navy does have a brain after all!
What were you really hoping to accomplish?
That question goes to the writer, editor, and the person I will no longer refer to as a "Sailor" that gave the story to the Pilot. It's funny that the rules for posting comments say no personal attacks and the story of CAPT O. Honors was nothing but. Today the crew of USS Enterprise was informed that they lost the best Commanding Officer some have ever had. The moral of the crew went from it's highest to lowest thanks to the unnecessary divulged videos. Those who have made comments having never served aboard a Naval Vessel have no right to judge the Navy or our actions. So if destroying crew moral our CO (moral booster) created and finding us one that has the reputation of a moral buster vice booster, congratulations! Mission accomplished!
I agree
Your right. The Pilot and the “Leaker” has accomplished nothing good! It’s none of the publics business how Sailors and Officers conduct themselves at sea, or how discipline is enforced when Service Members mess up. The jobs getting done isn’t it? Are we not the best trained and greatest Naval power in the world? I don’t know what stings more for me, the fact that someone in the chain of command made these affairs public, or that big Navy pulled Honors because they can’t handle pressure from public opinion. This definitely sends a message to our military to shape up, watch what you do, and don’t count on your leadership to support you no matter how impeccable your career or performance. They’re watching they’re own backs, too
Sneak Attackers
Writer and editor-BRAVO ZULU! What’s in your “hearts” after destroying the stellar career of an exemplary Naval Officer. Are you peopling really that clever? Where were you ardent, justice seekers in 2008? Works of real “injustice” by “evil doers?” such as American workers at Halliburton/KBR, who drugged, then “gang raped” Jamie Lee Jones, a young American woman after four days there. District Judge, Gray Miller, wrote in his order; "whether it is wise to send this type of claim to arbitration is not a question for this court to decide," and "Sadly," wrote, "sexual harassment, up to and including sexual assault, is a reality in today's workplace" (ABC’s 20/20). Do you all feel that the “statute-of-limitations” is a probl