Sunday, January 02, 2011

Inspector Renault confronts the Big XO

And so, the clueless salie forth with the hypocrites to assail that which they do not understand and smear those who make them hold their manhood cheap from their career ashore.

Speak 'ye hypocrite!
Navy spokesman Cmdr. Chris Sims said in a statement sent to The Associated Press that the videos "were not acceptable then and are not acceptable in today's Navy."

Executive officers and other leaders "are charged to lead by example and are held accountable for setting the proper tone and upholding the standards of honor, courage and commitment that we expect sailors to exemplify," he said.
Follow the links here and here. Then come back here and see the video below and judge for yourself.

A couple of things to keep in mind. CAPT Honors was Big XO on one of my old ships - the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65). That was roughly four years ago when these videos were seen - by thousands.

Now, almost a half decade later - people who have seen and probably done much worse things on deployment are calling for their Yeoman to bring them smelling salts.

Don't forget that he is now the Commanding Officer of "The Big E." Make what theory you want to why it is showing up now.
At the time (2006-7), Honors was the carrier's executive officer, or XO, the commanding officer's deputy. He took command of the ship in May.

In the videos, Honors indicates that he's trying to entertain the crew. They were shown roughly once a week on closed-circuit shipwide television, according to a handful of sailors who were assigned to the Enterprise at the time. The sailors requested anonymity for fear of retribution.

One of them said he mailed a complaint about the videos to the Navy Inspector General this week.
One of the hardest jobs in the Navy right now is the Commanding Officer of the Big E. This floating museum built by the same people who build ships in WWII and pushes itself around with eight museum quality A2W reactors. Much of the equipment is tagged out because they stopped being usable decades ago due to their archaic nature. Four generations of some families have been on this ship.

She was an old beat-up girl when I was on her over a decade ago. To keep her up and doing the taxpayer's business is something only the best can do. The best can be quirky. The best warfighters even more so. Shouldn't we give some a little running room?

The Navy's initial reaction was sound;
The Navy released a written statement late Friday in response to The Pilot's inquiries.

"The videos created onboard USS Enterprise in 2006-2007 were not created with the intent to offend anyone," the statement said. "The videos were intended to be humorous skits focusing the crew's attention on specific issues such as port visits, traffic safety, water conservation, ship cleanliness, etc."
I think though - based upon the PAO's more recent statement - the usual suspects will take it from here - and in the finest traditions of throwing leaders under the bus instead of defending them - well - you know the path this takes.

This sounds cliche - but if you have not been "there" - you really don't know what is going on. The videographer who was interviewed provides a clue;
"In his defense, I'll say that sometimes, when you've been out to sea for a while, cut off from everything, you start to think things that you would never normally do are actually a good idea," he said. "You do stupid stuff to stay sane."
Anyway, watch.



Lex put it well and about captures my mood,
Carrier CO, Navy captain, fighter guy, TOPGUN grad, graduate of the Power School, veteran commanding officer: Now being finger wagged by an O-5 public affairs officer, who knows what is, and is not acceptable in today’s Navy.

It will no longer do, old shoe.
Like I stated earlier - the cluelessness and hypocrisy of it all just wears me down.

In a just world - someone will make the right sounds, but CAPT Honors will be allowed to continue.

Regardless what happens, it is all sad; and I'm not just saying that because he looks like my brother.

I think I'm going to get a beer and think about ordering Adam Carolla's new book.
UPDATE: Galrahn has some thoughts as well - I especially like his point about what we do and do not find outrage in with our leaders. Style vs. substance. Nice angle.
UPDATE II - Electric Boogaloo: If you want to know what "mainstream" civilian opinion - as defined by Minnesota Public Radio - is wondering, then you might find this interview done this morning with Naval Academy Professor Bruce Fleming of interest.


UPDATE III: .... and so we will make it worse and more dangerous for all.
The Navy officer who aired lewd videos for crew of an aircraft carrier will be temporarily relieved of his command as early as Tuesday, Navy sources told NBC News on Monday.

Capt. Owen Honors commands the USS Enterprise and produced the videos while second in command aboard the aircraft carrier.

He is to be relieved while the Navy investigates the incident.
If he is a problem - then we have a problem. Time for me to work a new post on this. I'll let you know if I do.
UPDATE IV: If he is a problem; then we have a problem. WIth the prospect of CAPT Honors' removal, I'm discussing the larger issue over at USNIBlog. Come join me.