EOD Group 2 commander fired

[CommunityEditor]

The commander of Explosives Ordnance Disposal Group 2 was fired Friday for “loss of confidence in [his] ability to command,” according to a Navy news release.

Capt. Thomas Sitsch was dismissed by Rear Adm. Carol Pottenger, commander of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, the release said.

“It was personal in nature,” said Lt. Cmdr. Susan Henson, spokeswoman for NECC. “It was not due to any operational problem with EOD Group 2.”

Henson would not provide further details about events leading up to his dismissal.

“He is not facing any charges of wrongdoing or criminal action under the [Uniform Code of Military Justice] at this time,” she said.

EOD Group 2, based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, oversees three East Coast-based mobile units, a mobile unit based in Italy, Training and Evaluation Unit 2, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, and two support units. There are 950 active-duty enlisted and 140 active-duty officers assigned to EOD Group 2.

Sitsch had been commander since July 2008, and he previously served as deputy commander of Combined Joint Task Force Troy, which was set up to counter the improvised explosive device threat in Iraq.

Cmdr. Leonard Lyon, the group’s chief staff officer, was named as temporary commander.


Article: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/03/navy_group2_cofired_031309/

[smarg]

“It was personal in nature,” said Lt. Cmdr. Susan Henson, spokeswoman for NECC. “It was not due to any operational problem with EOD Group 2.”

Codeword for an integrity issue, probably skanking on an enlisted sailor.

[forcedj]

Codeword for an integrity issue, probably skanking on an enlisted sailor.

Wrong.





“He is not facing any charges of wrongdoing or criminal action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice at this time,” she said.



Maybe the Captain has an EFM or health issue that prevents him from giving the command his full attention.

[smarg]

Wrong.

Maybe the Captain has an EFM or health issue that prevents him from giving the command his full attention.

YOU sir, are fascinating. Let's read this line together, shall we?

fired Friday for “loss of confidence in [his] ability to command,”

This means he was fired for cause. I take it you used to work for him.:confused:

[Battleshort]

Someone disestablished smarges ROTC unit for "lack of confidence".

[forcedj]

smarg, your inexperience is hanging out. Yes, we’ll read that line together and I’ll school you on what it really means. Yes, it was something that caused his boss to loose confidence in his ability to command. So, he was fired. But that’s the standard line used anytime a CO is relieved regardless of what prompted his removal. It could be anything in a vast array things: from something that he had absolutely no control over; to something he knowingly and intentionally did that negatively affected the command. Sometimes the specific reason is advertised. Frequently it is not. I have known Commanding Officers relieved because their ship ran aground. And I knew of one that was relieved because he acquired a terminal illness. In both cases they were relieved because their superior “lost confidence in their ability to command.” In the announcement of the former, nothing was said about his illness. Only that it was “personal.” I have no idea why this person was relieved of his command beyond what the article says. But you are quite often one that immediately jumps to conclusion hoping for a tabloid story.

[Gulftriton1]

Smarg-
I did serve under him and he was one of the finest no-BS taking officers I have ever had the pleasure of serving with & under. He is a warrior, an A** kicker & a name taker.
The problem with EOD is that it now falls under NECC where you have a jelousy factor you cannot comprehend. Administrators telling warriors what to do.
I challenge you to go to the NECC website & look up the Admirals bio & then do some research & look up Tom Sitsch. You likely won't fiind much because he's been an operator not a pencil pusher. He was a EOD Chief Petty Officer when she was an admin ensign.
If I know Tom , "Lack of confidence" translates to "Get out of the way woman & let me & my troops do the job we're paid to do"............Persoality issue-----You bet yer A**!!!!!!

R.A. Hunter Jr. BMC (SW/AW/DV) Ret.

P.S.
Capt. if you read this...... Hooyah Sir! I'll still work for you anytime!

[no name please]

Does anyone think it is strange that so many CO's are being fired for "loss of confidance"? The reason they do this is so they can't appeal it. If a CO is being fired then the Navy should state exactly why. The Navy doesn't want to do this because many times these CO's shouldn't be fired but the Navy is taking the easier road. I've seen more and more careers ruined lately. How can it be that someone has a stellar career and then all of a sudden there is no confidance in their ability to lead. I think the Navy needs to have an investigation into these firings. There is something smelly here. I know one guy that got fired and the Admiral who did it had had 3 conversations with him in 6 months- nothing saying he was doing a bad job, all good comments and all of a sudden he gets pulled in and fired. It is a pity that the military is becoming a touchy feely organization. It is really quite sad that someone can ruin a career just because they don't like you. People used to hate their CO's but you stood behind them unless they did something wrong, now people file IG's against them because the CO looked at them funny or wasn't making them feel good about themselves. Waaaa!!!! It truly is a pity and part of the downfall of America.