[April 7, 2020] Last Thursday, April 2, U.S. Navy Captain Brett Crozier was relieved of his command of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, an aircraft carrier conducting operations in the Pacific. Capt. Crozier was relieved by Navy Acting Secretary Thomas Modly because he had lost trust and confidence in Crozier. The decision by Modly was the right thing to do and for the right reasons.
On Monday 30 March 2020, Capt Crozier sent a 4-page official Navy letter detailing the status of the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. He sent it via an unsecured email to at least 20 people. A copy is in a San Francisco Chronicle article (link here). No one disputes the contents of the letter or its authenticity. Capt Crozier describes the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the impact on the ship’s operational readiness, and how, in his opinion, the Navy should act and when.
Capt Crozier’s letter urged Navy leaders to get nearly all the ship’s sailors off amid the COVID-19 virus outbreak and remove the ship from operational status. He wrote that living conditions on board were not in compliance with CDC or Naval guidance for social distancing and quarantining. Unusually, the letter was not addressed to anyone but written on U.S. Navy letterhead.
Here is why Capt Crozier was relieved of his command.
First, Crozier went outside his chain of command. He failed to speak with his direct supervisor, Carrier Strike Group Commander Rear Admiral Stuart Baker, about his concerns. Adm Baker was on the ship living within only a few feet of Crozier. Nor did Crozier speak with or write to anyone in his Navy chain of command about his recommended course of action. Failure to keep one’s chain of command informed of one’s decisions on important issues is a problem. In the military, there is a chain of command, and it means something.
Second, Capt Crozier publicly exposed the operational status of a U.S. aircraft carrier which is a strategic military asset (classified at the Top Secret level). The Navy was aware of the virus outbreak on board the USS Roosevelt and had begun taking action. Navy leaders had decided to strike a balance between managing the spread of the virus among sailors and keeping the ship operational. This decision ran counter to the public airing of Capt Crozier’s recommendation to remove the ship from operational status.
Third, a public airing of the letter was unnecessary and counterproductive in the middle of a crisis. By doing so, Crozier created a political firestorm, sowed doubts about the Navy’s fleet combat effectiveness, undermined the chain of command’s efforts, created panic, and generated concern among the families about the health of their sailors. Crozier also acted recklessly when he sent the letter over unsecured channels and to many people, ensuring its release to the public.
Fourth, Capt Crozier failed to follow Navy tradition and regulations. There is a tradition in the U.S. military, especially strong in the Navy that we train as we fight. This tradition is also codified into military regulations and acts as a cultural restraint. Leaders conduct themselves in such a way that best supports the mission as directed by those officers who have the authority for decision making. Different courses of action and disagreements are encouraged and debated internally to ensure the best solutions. Capt Crozier did not follow this tradition or Navy regulations.
Senior U.S. military officers are held to a high standard of behavior. Capt Crozier is a senior officer. He is also highly qualified, and by being assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Crozier had to show tremendous leadership capabilities. Why he would write this letter and send it out openly, knowing full well it would become public, is up to debate. But the fact that he took this action was what led the Navy to lose confidence in him. The only right decision, regardless of what politicians say,1 was someone in the Navy chain of command to relieve him. It was the right firing for the right reasons.
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- Several politicians have jumped in to oppose or support the Navy’s decision to relieve Capt Crozier. It is the job of the Navy, not politicians, to make these decisions, and such decisions are not taken recklessly or without proper analysis and serious due diligence. When politicians interfere with military decision-making, bad things can happen. We’ve often study the Vietnam War as an example where daily political interference unnecessarily cost the lives of our military personnel in that war. President Trump, when asked about Modly’s decision, said Crozier’s letter “was terrible,” but “it’s a Navy decision [to relieve Crozier].” Presidential candidate Joe Biden said the decision was “close to criminal.” Trump should not have said it was a terrible behavior by Crozier, but Trump is right that it was a Navy decision. Biden’s comment shows a lack of understanding of how our military operates. Yesterday, April 6, during his Coronavirus Task Force Briefing, President Trump was again asked about Capt Crozier. Trump said he would be looking into the firing because he “doesn’t want to ruin the career of a good officer.” At this point, both Trump, Biden, and other politicians need to stay out of it. If politicians don’t like the decisions made, they can replace senior naval personnel. Micromanaging decisions by military officers are a terrible idea, and the main reason Vietnam is a communist nation today.
Missed this article earlier since I was one of the few people working in the trucking industry. Thanks and I have to say I fully agree with your conclusions, Gen. Satterfield. We need more articles like this one.
Another excellent article. Well written, logical, and to the point.
Yep, that is why so many of us read this blog daily. It gives us a dose of common sense, a good look at reality, and what it takes to be on top of our leadership game. Oh, it’s also a bit entertaining.
I see that the Acting Sec of the Navy, Modly, resigned yesterday over the conflict caused by him relieving this Capt Crozier. Too bad about Mr. Modly. I will agree with him that Capt C was stupid in writing that letter. The decision should still stand.
Yes, Wavy Girl, and I agree that the decision should stand. But has been overlooked by everyone and maybe on purpose is that an aircraft carrier is what we call a “strategic asset” and its movement and operational status is classified TOP SECRET. A no brainer that it should be. Capt Crozier, in making his letter public (and don’t suggest he didn’t want it public) meant he was in violation of letter info out about this top secret issue. He should have been and still should be kicked out of the Navy.
Sad ending to Mr. Modly but he did do the right thing. And to comment on what Tracey just wrote, what Crozier did was make public secret military information. He should the thrown into the brig.
Someone should be kicking Crozier’s butt. He did a great disservice to the nation. Crozier’s past accomplishments doesn’t give him a pass.
Great article, Gen. Satterfield. If possible, I would like to see a follow-up blog post in a few weeks to update us on what happened. Thanks.
I agree with you Bryan. This is not over. We should be studying this action like any other important issue. There are many lessons learned.
We can all express our opinions until the cows come home but it won’t make a hill of a difference (puns?). Anyway, the Navy should handle it, ’nuff said. Either our politicians stay out of it (ignorant ones like Biden should keep his mouth shut) or we politicize the military like the FBI has been made under past-Pres Obama. And we see where that got us.
KenF, well said. We should stay out of it, But the purposes of this leader blog, I believe it important for us to discuss. Why? Simple, this is where others can learn about the thinking process of leaders. Unless we discuss, that will not happen and we all will be less educated for it.
Right! ????
I disagree with most folks here. I think he should have been punished but in a way that didn’t ruin his career.
Maybe a Flag Officer Letter of Reprimand would work better. But my friends in the military say that will also destroy one’s career.
Yes, not being relieved of duty so quickly. The navy should have taken more time to sort this out.
While I agree with the idea he should not be fired, I do believe most leaders here don’t think so. I don’t have a lot of experience as a leader (Team Lead) but I can see the navy’s side of it too. Gen. Satterfield laid out the reasons well.
I disagree and while many here have laid out a good case for him to be fired, it is not our job to make uninformed judgments about it. Talk with a navy sailor and get the low down before pushing out opinions that have no basis in reality.
Even a trained Boy Scout knows better. “Be prepared” is their motto. Capt Crozier was not prepared either for his solution to be rejected or for exposing the situation and getting relieved of duty. It’s not a liberal/leftist world in the military.
The US Navy is not a kiddie daycare camp. You don’t get to have your way, even if you are a Captain of a bigass ship. You have a mission and just because we are not a war with someone at the moment doesn’t mean you can pull back and take offline a major offensive asset like a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Captain Crozier was wrong, pure and simple. His punishment is up to the Navy and everyone else should butt out.
I agree especially that politicians should not get directly involved. They can express their opinions but to say they are having an “investigation” of the decision is not a good idea because it drives a wedge between levels of the chain of command. If our political leaders don’t like decisions anywhere in the Navy, they can simply fire the senior people and hire someone different.
Good comment by your Nancy. That is the way it’s supposed to be. I’m most disappointed in Joe Biden. He is nuts to call this “criminal.” Of course, slow joe is on the dementia train to la-la land anyway.
Good point, brutally made. Thanks Tom.
Gen. Satterfield, great article. Informative. BTW, folks the footnote adds a lot of info you should read.
Looks like to me that USS Roosevelt Captain Crozier didn’t like what the Navy planned to do so he sent the letter to force a change. This is a runaround to get his way. He should have been fired.
I agree Wilson and Capt Crozier was not in position that long but he did have command experience. Being really really smart doesn’t make you a god. You actually have a boss and should pay attention to them and also keep them informed.
My boss once told me it’s a good idea to pay attention to what he says. Maybe Captain Crozier should have been a little more careful.
I don’t think personally Crozier should have been fired from his job for exposing the coronavirus on his ship. Isn’t it the job of the commander to protect his men and women?
For those of us in the military, we all know it is the job of the commander to ensure the mission is accomplished. That comes first because we are protecting the people of the United States. Certainly, the troops are to be taken care of but their welfare can run counter to the mission.
Jane, we have a lot of folks without much knowledge about the military and fewer that understand senior military leadership. They expect that when a major decision is made, that it is carried out immediately. Any issues are to be brought up before the decision. Capt Crozier had his chance but is whining about the fact he didn’t get his way. Smart man but acted stupidly by exposing the Navy.
… and exposing Navy secrets, you can go to jail. How come no one is talking about that?
A very interesting look at the relief of US Navy Captain Crozier. I agree with most of what you’ve written but also add that the Captain appeared to go to great lengths to get the Navy to conform to his recommended course of action. Apparently, Crozier did not like the Navy’s solution and wanted it exposed and ultimately changed. That runs counter to how the military works.
That in itself is a problem that few are talking about. But I can give my opinion but who cares because I don’t have military experience. But I do have medical experience and while I know in my heart that Crozier is right, I also know in my head that he is wrong.
Thanks Max for your quick and concise summary of what should have happened, did in fact happen. Crozier was relieved and this is how things work. Everyone in the military has a commander. Even the 4-star flag officers have a commander (the US President). Most folks don’t know how the military works but it does work and works well. Interference from the public and politicians put their internal issues at risk of destroying the command relationships long established.
Well said, ARay. My mother used to tell me to not interfere in situations where I didn’t have extensive knowledge.
Good comments. Glad I read all the way to the bottom. I agree, Capt Crozier deserved to be relieved. Doesn’t mean he is not smart but this big bone-headed decision of his needs to be crushed.
I say it needs to be “crushed” hard and fast. This is not what you want in a military officer that exposes secret info.