Skipper of historic ship Constitution fired

Colleges & Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p><a href="http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/05/navyskipperfired_constitution_070510w/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/05/navyskipperfired_constitution_070510w/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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The captain of the USS Constitution was relieved of command Thursday morning.</p>

<p>Cmdr. Thomas A. Graves, 20-year veteran of the Navy was removed from command of the Navy’s floating historical relic. A specific reason for the relief was not provided by the Navy, attributing the action to an “administrative matter.”...

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<p>Oh, oh......</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/09/ap_constitution_070906/[/url]”>http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/09/ap_constitution_070906/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>When I was at my USNA welcome aboard for the Greater Boston Parents Club in May 2006, CDR Graves gave all the new appointees a tour of the ship. Scary. I actually met the man.</p>

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<p>So which is it, or was it both?</p>

<p>Journalism at its finest. :rolleyes:</p>

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<p>Reminds me of Patton…</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/09/navy_constitution_update_070907w/[/url]”>http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/09/navy_constitution_update_070907w/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>So the shoving of the papers at the Petty Officer, while extremely unprofessional, may or may not actually constitute “striking”. Guess that’s a matter of interpretation.</p>

<p>It’s the falsifying a record and making a false statement that is the real offense. BUT, having the PO change the record to reflect that the other sailor was late when he truly was late would not be “falsifying” a record", would it? Also, if the “striking” did not actually occur, then asking the PO to say it didn’t happen would not constitute “forcing him to make a false statement”. either.</p>

<p>How unfortunate if the CMDR loses retirement and/or incurrs punishment at this stage of his career over something that may not have even really happened. From the article it sounds like he was trying to run a tight ship and that was not received well by the crew. He’s already been relieved of his command - it will be interesting to see how this is resolved. </p>

<p>Hope the truth comes out - hate to see a career ruined over something that may or may not have really happened (i.e. “shoving papers” v. actually “striking” someone).</p>

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<p>Somehow, referring to one of his junior female sailors as his “trash b*tch” doesn’t quite sound like how we teach our graduates to lead. In addition, the entire crew of USS CONSTITUTION is hand-selected and screened, so the depiction of a lazy and incompetent crew isn’t quite accurate.</p>

<p>Please read more than one article before you decide.</p>

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<p>Additional sources:
<a href=“http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/09/08/captain_sought_a_tight_ship_lawyer_says/[/url]”>http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/09/08/captain_sought_a_tight_ship_lawyer_says/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/09/07/ironsides_crew_testifies_against_ex_leader/[/url]”>http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/09/07/ironsides_crew_testifies_against_ex_leader/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1029862[/url]”>http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1029862&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks Navy1974. I read the three that had been posted previously. None of them included the “vulgar name” specifically.</p>

<p>I agree the skipper’s conduct was certainly unprofessional, inappropriate & “unbecoming an officer”. I’m just saying that it is unfortunate to see a career ruined so close to retirement. Maybe the guy deserves it - hence my comment about hoping that truth comes out, especially if his retirement is at stake.</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_graves_constitution_071026w/[/url]”>http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_graves_constitution_071026w/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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