Ouch .... just plain ouch

I don't know Larry - and I don't know the why - but I do know that he is not in a happy place right now.

The act is bad enough - but the timing ...... just ouch.

The executive officer of the destroyer Chafee was fired Friday, the same day he was supposed to move up and become that ship’s skipper, Navy officials said today.

Cmdr. Larry Gonzales was detached “for cause” after Capt. Richard Clemmons, who commands Hawaii-based Destroyer Squadron 31, “lost confidence in Commander Gonzales’ ability to lead the command,” said Agnes Tauyan, a spokeswoman for Navy Region Hawaii.

The decision “was based on findings from a DesRon 31 investigation,” Tauyan said, declining to specify what findings or events led to his firing. She said the commodore’s decision was not based on any operational, safety or security issues involving Gonzales or the ship.

Note his last job - he was on the fast track; now, notsomuch.

Gonzales graduated from the Naval Academy in 1992 and has served on several ships, including as engineering officer aboard the frigate Vandegrift and as XO aboard the cruiser Normandy. He served as a flag aide with 2nd Fleet in Norfolk, Va., before reporting to Chafee.

Well Larry - I do wish you the best going forward. This too shall soon pass.

Lesson to all; always, always have Plan B ... and Plan C .... and Plan D. Regardless of how well you think you have things set up - life will throw you inside curve balls; and on occasion kick you in the teeth.

Though it has nothing to do with this case, for the record - I do not like the Fleet-up program. It is hard for an XO to be an XO when he is to focused on being CO. $.02.