tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post521306623540946473..comments2024-01-03T05:18:54.650-05:00Comments on CDR Salamander: CDR Jackson, IGs, & Primary SourcesCDR Salamanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981221786954902349noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-81351359706208331332012-06-06T19:41:13.905-04:002012-06-06T19:41:13.905-04:00Damn auto correct...lol. " unless you want t...Damn auto correct...lol. " unless you want to lump all minority officers together..."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-56018044301794202572012-06-06T19:38:50.417-04:002012-06-06T19:38:50.417-04:00There was another minority officer at 135 who was ...There was another minority officer at 135 who was sent back to the FRS but not the LCDR you are referring to. Unless you want to lump allow protien together, you should make sure your data is correct.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-5696397638873040302012-06-06T19:35:07.104-04:002012-06-06T19:35:07.104-04:00I know the LCDR you are referring to and your fact...I know the LCDR you are referring to and your facts here are absolutely incorrect. I would bet you can't get a single JO from the weapon school to agree with your statement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-50966702194911394252012-06-05T23:52:05.142-04:002012-06-05T23:52:05.142-04:00You definitely have your facts wrong on this one.You definitely have your facts wrong on this one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-15297206384818880862012-06-05T23:43:56.121-04:002012-06-05T23:43:56.121-04:00That officer in question was never sent back to th...That officer in question was never sent back to the FRS for refresher training. I think you have your facts mixed up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-87120314844494825732012-02-12T01:18:35.999-05:002012-02-12T01:18:35.999-05:00Still very interesting his former boss, CVWP, didn...Still very interesting his former boss, CVWP, didn't go to bat for him. Six months and a small community gets three skippers fired. All three had similar personalities. All three were brought up in the same era. All three lost their job. <br /><br />3/14 skippers in one year. This is staggering. At a minimum, it indicates a flaw in how these officers were trained to act and behave in social settings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-60767429770274795822012-02-11T21:22:24.964-05:002012-02-11T21:22:24.964-05:00After the sedition of his DH tour, you can change ...After the sedition of his DH tour, you can change the "is" in your comment to "Was". marginalized himself by his acts and torpedoed himself on his own accord. Had a great future even without a #1 ticket until he decided it was his job to think for "big Navy" about CO's "crossing the line". No one person is bigger than the group and that wasnt his job or decision to make. The unsubstantiated EO complaint should have clued him in.<br /><br />If he had spent more time focusing on combat readiness, health and welfare of his troops, and performance in the aircraft instead of following the CO around with a quote log and trying to walk JO's through IG processes, maybe he would have gotten the #1 fitrep. T_S_D / m d / etcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-15940444001407679922012-02-10T23:39:32.558-05:002012-02-10T23:39:32.558-05:00I know him. I thought he was a nice guy, but a po...I know him. I thought he was a nice guy, but a poor instructor. Without a doubt he was in the bottom third of the talent pool there. And about 40 percent of his year group are patch wearers. Some good guys get selected to be Training Officers, some guys roll into the job for timing. And a strong enough write up can even make a turd sandwich sound good. The concensus at the Rock from former squadronmates was that he was a decent guy who was average on a good day in the jet and fairly lazy.Shortnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-65958700123397895192012-02-10T21:55:24.257-05:002012-02-10T21:55:24.257-05:00I wish I could sympathize with Spaulding. It seems...I wish I could sympathize with Spaulding. It seems there was a love/hate relationship in the ready room. Many of the actions made may seem little to many but a commanding officer should set himself to higher standard. Clearly squadrons will always have some struggling aviators. In many cases, there are reasons behind it. If the lt felt ousted, she may have lost the will to continue and felt she had other choice. Out of 20 aircrew, one was fneab'd a year ago, another was on the road to a fneab, a dh fealt he was being treated poorly, two IGs filed, a mishap, a skipper having two AOMs to influence the opinions (my unit didn't have a AOM when the other two VAQ CO's got fired), aircrew opting out of admins because of the alcohol and behavior, another Cvw JO commenting about Spauldings behavior, and even the endorsements were littered with comments about a divided squadron. It's a mess. <br /><br />Spaulding had a responsibility to fix it, not bully officers around because of his rank and position.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-77454298358448686092012-02-10T21:55:05.227-05:002012-02-10T21:55:05.227-05:00...or the time he nearly ran a jet out of gas in I......or the time he nearly ran a jet out of gas in Iraq. Or the word of anyone who ever had to hear him lecture at the Weapons School. Or any of the other JOs who picked up the work load while he picked up the credit. Other than that, stellar rep.Shortnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-40918122174147528152012-02-10T15:18:42.575-05:002012-02-10T15:18:42.575-05:00@CDR S, Well, I guess that I was wrong about the &...@CDR S, Well, I guess that I was wrong about the "fail to screen" O-6s. Just when you think that things couldn't be any worse...C-dore 14noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-30789250119876041122012-02-10T15:00:41.723-05:002012-02-10T15:00:41.723-05:00C-14. Look at the last page of the IG. Look for t...C-14. Look at the last page of the IG. Look for the rank of the two people signing it. Wait ....cdrsalamandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-46977303058441681352012-02-10T14:54:08.449-05:002012-02-10T14:54:08.449-05:00@MS, You tend to have more faith in the IG than I ...@MS, You tend to have more faith in the IG than I do. Maybe things are different now but in my experience these guys tended to not to be lawyers but O-6 line officers who had failed to screen for major command (with the baggage that entails). 3 of the 4 IG investigation that I was associated with (fortunately not as a "principal") during my last 5 years in the service seemed more focused on finding someone to hang rather than getting to the truth in an accusation.<br /><br />As for the CSG commander, this investigation hit his desk about a month into the assignment.C-dore 14noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-29118473276119308902012-02-10T14:53:56.047-05:002012-02-10T14:53:56.047-05:00You're right. He had a farly decent reputatio...You're right. He had a farly decent reputation in the community. except for that one time he got sent back to the FRS for refresher training due "marginal performance" during his first fleet tour.<br /><br />But perhaps his competition had a better reputation? At any rate, perhaps he still had a shot at command? he wouldnt have been the first DH ever to not get a #1 fitrep. life is tough...<br /><br />Even if he did have a decent reputation, he became instantly marginal with the aforementioned shenanigans. Maybe his best punishment should be a shot at command with someone below him trying to torpedo him. my definition of "sedition" looks a lot like what I have read from the IG report. <br /><br />do you really want to continue this? I dont...T_S_D / m d / etcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-2405704247999772082012-02-10T14:16:42.271-05:002012-02-10T14:16:42.271-05:00Gents, do any of you even know this DH???? He is n...Gents, do any of you even know this DH???? He is not mediocre, he is not marginal, he is not average. He was selected to become a patch wearer, taught at the school house, and was selected to be one of a very small group to be a training officer. We was awarded multiple awards at the annual Prowler awards dinners. These awards are extremely hard to achieve and only the best of the community receive them.<br /><br />I don't agree with everything that happened, but calling this guy less that stellar is completely wrong.NAVYnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-85811334144849433712012-02-10T14:07:57.938-05:002012-02-10T14:07:57.938-05:00The 'mariginal' DH was awarded multiple aw...The 'mariginal' DH was awarded multiple awards in the Prowler community over the years. He is hardly 'marginal'.TSDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-46327724341947114522012-02-10T13:07:36.429-05:002012-02-10T13:07:36.429-05:00There is a difference between Administrative Contr...There is a difference between Administrative Control and ISIC. That is a fact that even a Shoddy department head should know. <br /><br />You talk about "crossing the line" like you know more than has been revealed here, or is it just the case that you are surprised in the lack of support for the 2 marginal players making the accusations. If you have any more information, feel free to share.<br /><br />And where do you get to judge about "honor, courage, commitment"? It doesnt sound like you have experience in Command to make that distinction. maybe if you had, you would think differently.<br /><br />I tihnk most of this group is in agreement that the Navy works best when people value the organization over the individual. This is not a support group. There is a mission here. For the "individuals in question?" They would have fell on their sword sooner or later. Lets hope they will be prevented from doing any more damage in the future. Who knows what they have done in the past.<br /><br />The real tragedy here is the distraction to the mission of supporting troops on the ground right now, which is what VAQ-134 should be focused on doing. If you want to talk about Honor, Courage, Commitment, then focus on the mission T_S_Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-37382996910080699702012-02-10T12:57:57.539-05:002012-02-10T12:57:57.539-05:00Lots of folks in the JO Jungle have the required a...Lots of folks in the JO Jungle have the required ammo up here. unfortunately "up here" connotes a seperation between air bases and Flags who come trolling through making themselves available. Also connotes that said JO's will not be on deployment. More of a rarity these days. Great points, and certainly there might be time for some hard hitting questions come flag panel at the Tailhook Convention. FInding a 3 star willing to take the shots might be the long pole.x Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-66556331797984325372012-02-10T12:21:32.340-05:002012-02-10T12:21:32.340-05:00"Such is the life of CO’s and CAG’s who are f..."Such is the life of CO’s and CAG’s who are forced to accept tired iron."<br />No truer words - been there as Maint Div O, MO and CO...it ain't fun and every day I thanked God for the troops I had working for me keeping these things flying.<br /><br />w/r, SJSsteeljawscribenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-3087607399357572842012-02-10T07:43:56.977-05:002012-02-10T07:43:56.977-05:00<p>xT,
</p><p>Here is what you d...<p>xT,<br /></p><p>Here is what you do. At every Captains call, every Commodore's call, every Admiral's call - bring it up. Ask the hard questions. Be calm, be respectful, be full of facts. As nothing can really be done by anyone having less than 3 stars - then perhaps it is best to leave the Captains and Commodores alone. Find out when the CNO is coming next. He almost always asks for questions. Get in front of him. Ditto for CPF - hold him accountable for his IG. How many degrees of separation are you from someone in the media? Get in touch with them. Do you or someone you know have a college acquaintance in journalism? They are always looking for projects that have a mix of government incompetence, botched investigations, and good people caught in a Kafkaesque situation.<br /></p>cdrsalamandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-66472933830073581142012-02-10T07:33:45.326-05:002012-02-10T07:33:45.326-05:00MS,
You assume you know a lot about what his fello...MS,<br />You assume you know a lot about what his fellow COs think. You don't. cdrsalamandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-71331764378285118662012-02-10T04:40:05.054-05:002012-02-10T04:40:05.054-05:00So where is the outrage from the Prowler Commodore...So where is the outrage from the Prowler Commodore? How about fellow CO's in the Air Wing? Surely if the course of action taken by the Admiral was so outragious their honor, courage, and commitment would have them fallen on their sword for this "great CO". Or perhaps they know he did indeed crossed the line with his actions. From the accounts in the blog people claim that at best, both the DH (and I am assuming he is a minority) and the female LT were average players. Their motivation and performance has been attacked as a distractor to the real issue of the CO being held to account for acting like a frat boy when he should be upholding the highest of standards.<br /><br />In my opinion the CO was let down. He was let down by his XO and CMC if they did not try to reign him in. He was let down by is CAG if he knew of his behavior and turned a blind eye. He was let down by his peers (fellow CO's) if they ever saw him or heard of him going over te top and not pulling him aside and saying, "Dude ... this does not look good."<br /><br />That being said I am sure those that loved this guy will bend over backwards now to ensure the LT and LCDR now go thru hell for some form of twisted justice. I hope not but history shows otherwise. Finally, we will never know all the facts but I will have faith that an experienced IG will not make things up and that a well seasoned Battle Group Admiral is wise enough to see a flawed investigation before making a final call.Minority Sailornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-49050394898428784662012-02-10T03:49:41.739-05:002012-02-10T03:49:41.739-05:00This is the result of Balkanizing the US Navy. Th...This is the result of Balkanizing the US Navy. This is what diversity, protection has given us. I say again. Set in clear language what the goal is. Hold ALL to that standard, help those that are trying but need it. Failure to reach the standard means you are out and others get promoted. By standard, I mean operational and professional capability, not the PC standard. We have entered the second decade of the 21st century. We are coming up on 50 yrs since we had segregation. We have leveled, then tilted the playing field the other direction over that time. It is time now to let people succeed and/or fail on their own merits. Yes, sometimes there will be issues, but let's not make it institutionally driven. Remember, the younger sailors have largely been working/playing in a multi culti environment for most of their lives. Do not play favorites, recruit the best you can from all over, bring them in, traing them, give them a mission to be proud of and support, train and equip them to perform that mission. Let all succeed w/o prejudice, protection or favoritism and the Navy will be good to go. This silliness is not a postive thing. If your IG is not honestly looking at issues, then you have lost one of your checks to the system. LT Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-26908634450932785912012-02-10T02:14:39.592-05:002012-02-10T02:14:39.592-05:00kind of justifies CDR Jackson's decision to no...kind of justifies CDR Jackson's decision to not give the LCDR the #1, doesnt it? Makes you wonder what the good LCDR would have done with his 2.5 year "quote log" if he had gotten the #1 ticket?<br /><br />At what point does using your DH status to recruit others into IG investigations become "an act of sedition". There were other JO's who didnt take the bait, methinks.<br /><br />Too bad that more people do not know that the football was deflated when it was handed to CDR Jackson. I think that in spite of the DH in question, he was able to resurrect the squadron. Must say a lot about the DH's abilities as MO that when all was said and done, the troops showed more support for the departed Skipper. Football sure looks deflated now, though. The Admiral brought them full circle. x Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-3365638862533681322012-02-10T01:03:51.336-05:002012-02-10T01:03:51.336-05:00I'm writing another comment because I want thi...I'm writing another comment because I want this travesty to stay on our radars, and I don't know how I can help make that happen. The impact of relieving CDR Jackson based on a flawed investigation and in clear violation of the IG's own operating proceedings goes far beyond the Garuda's hangar. This case has disabused a large number of officers of the idea that loyalty in the Navy is a two way street, and has many wondering whether or not command is a worthy goal if it can be lost based on rumor and conjecture. LTs and LCDRs don't "revolt"; they just decide to leave, and we are losing a number of talented officers, who having completed multiple combat deployments are unwilling to deal with the backbiting and mickey mouse pc bullshit that seems to be integral to life in the Navy.<br /><br />Whidbey is a small base, and VAQ a relatively small community. The identity of the DH who orchestrated this sham was known by most of his peers shortly after CDR Jackson was relieved of command. Most guys who are described as being mediocre in the jet and having a shitty work ethic would be happy to grab a #2. Timing and self-promotion reportedly got him as far as his DH tour, but at least he won't be going any further...or at least the last ounce of faith I have in the Navy is telling me he won't screen for command.Shortnoreply@blogger.com