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Government
The commander of this Navy warship walked off the job
2016-11-25
[Navy Times] The commanding officer of a dock landing ship called it quits Monday.

She walked off her job leading the roughly 420-person crew of the dock landing ship Rushmore, Navy Times has learned, an option that isn't available to most other service members without serious repercussions.

Cmdr. Sarah DeGroot told the head of Amphibious Squadron 3, Capt. Homer Denius, on Monday that she was resigning as the Rushmore's CO. Three sources were unable to immediately specify why she'd taken this highly unusual and likely career-ending move.

While the Navy relieves commanding officers for substandard performance or misconduct several times per year, it is highly unusual for a CO to resign voluntarily. Reached for comment by phone, DeGroot declined to comment.

"I don't think I have anything to say at this time," DeGroot said.

A spokesperson for Naval Surface Force Pacific confirmed that DeGroot was no longer in command of the San Diego-based ship and that Cmdr. DeWayne Sanders has assumed temporary command of the ship. There are no administrative or disciplinary actions against DeGroot pending at the moment, Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca Haggard said.
Posted by:Besoeker

#13  If you're going to resign command, better to do so before the ship goes back into operational status than after.
Posted by: Zebulon and Tenille2425   2016-11-25 20:34  

#12  There are no administrative or disciplinary actions against DeGroot pending at the moment

and

The [Rushmore] went into maintenance in San Diego in March and is expected to resume crew training early next year before rejoining the fleet on active service.

Odd combination. Again, it could be for many reasons.
Posted by: Pappy   2016-11-25 17:18  

#11  I suspect we all know the 'likely' motivation, or am I being fomohebic ?
Posted by: Besoeker   2016-11-25 16:19  

#10  #9 Alright, how then is the Navy Times subject line to be handled? Misstatement? Exaggeration ?

Nothing about this appears routine.

...Concur. The problem with a 'out-of-her-control' explanation (illness, family/personal problem) is that there wouldn't have even been an official peep about this because it was a personal matter. Professional ability (and/or a lack of faith thereof on CINCPAC's part) is going to be at the heart of this. Book it.

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski   2016-11-25 16:15  

#9  Alright, how then is the Navy Times subject line to be handled? Misstatement? Exaggeration ?

Nothing about this appears routine.
Posted by: Besoeker   2016-11-25 14:40  

#8  Could be for any number of reasons. As far as fitreps are concerned, those will be handled as if there was a regular change of command.
Posted by: Pappy   2016-11-25 13:29  

#7  Fall out from social engineering of officer ranks?
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom   2016-11-25 12:41  

#6  Don't let the door hit ya on the azz on the way out. There are other deserving leaders willing to fight for the opportunity to lead our young Sailors.
Posted by: Tennessee   2016-11-25 11:41  

#5  Couldn't work for Trump as CIC.
Posted by: Skidmark   2016-11-25 10:03  

#4  At that rank, she can retire nicely. We are not aware that she did anything illegal or immoral. If she has decided not to carry the responsibilities of the rank, it's her choice.

If you want to speculate, try - the probability of AA promotions just died on election day. She wasn't going to make Rear Admiral. Need to stay around?
Going to stay around? The longer you delay, the longer its going to be to transition to another employment on the outside. Looking at the political spectrum, there are a lot of progressive business out there for the next few months to years looking to signal their virtue by hiring a individual with her resume whether its a good fit or not. I'd say a very lucrative job market at this time.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2016-11-25 09:43  

#3  Cmdr.Sarah DeGroot told the head of Amphibious Squadron 3, Capt. Homer Denius, on Monday that she was resigning as the Rushmore's CO.

She 'TELLS' her boss she's leaving ?

Certainly didn't use to work that way. Unless she's dying of cancer within the next 48 hours, why the rush? What about FITREPS for subordinates (unrated time? Inspections and inventories, and other close-out administrative matters ?

Needs a looking into. TELLS her CO, unreal. If this type of declaration or conduct is permitted, perhaps her CO needs to leave the service as well.
Posted by: Besoeker   2016-11-25 08:17  

#2  ...She's not AWOL - she self-selected out of her slot, and that decision was accepted by her superiors. They know where she is, she's either reporting for some sort of duty or is on leave until they figure out what the heck to do with her.

Now the question is, why? Her career is over, and there's got to be a damned good reason for it. My guess is that whatever is about to come down the pike on this would have led to far worse than simple relief for LOC once it gets here. She's already pulled the plug; I suspect the USN will chastise her severely but short of an overtly criminal act she'll be allowed to walk away.

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski   2016-11-25 08:12  

#1  Should be treated like any other AWOL, but I doubt it will.
Posted by: Besoeker   2016-11-25 07:53  

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