A SECNAV's Imminent Dilemma

UPDATED (Friday 3 Dec 2010)

Without providing actual service dates, his US Navy Biography states, "...[he] served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock." The Surface Warfare Pin was first proposed in 1972 and, the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) Qualification Program was not introduced until 1975. Lt(jg) Ray Mabus's naval service was from 1970 to 1972. (This is not a criticism of the SECNAV as much as example of embellishing his bio). Does Mabus's SWO claim cheapen the qualification not only of SWOs but of qualified submariners whose dolphins the SWO 'qualification' was designed to mimic?
.
The last thing Navy Secretary Mabus wants to do before assigning women officers to subs late next year is to draw any more attention to female officer disciplinary problems this year. Which will attract more adverse publicity for the navy, allowing Capt. Graf to continue her Navy service, or discharging her like Capt. Lisa Nowak 2 months ago?
.
Ray Mabus has already insulted male sailors of the 60s-70s era with his now infamous quote about his navy experience. He said, we never left port without leaving a couple of guys behind in jail.

.

It is difficult to guess which "greater good" will inform lawyer Mabus's final decision on Holly Graf.

.

The board of inquiry reconvened today at the Washington Navy Yard to hear the remainder of Capt. Graf’s attorneys’ witnesses. The panel is expected to make its recommendation on Graf's future by week's end, but it won't become official until Navy Secretary Ray Mabus accepts or rejects it. UPDATE: Panel Reccomends general discharge ( Friday 3 Dec 2010 ).

.

If Mabus keeps Capt. Graf in the navy over the board's recommendation, he becomes toxic for sailor morale. Can the panel be influenced by legal loophole to recommend retention of Graf? The health of Mabus's carefully hyped women on subs program could be harmed. The oucome is going to be momentous, perhaps even career-ending, for SECNAV Mabus. Could this be what Nostradamus had predicted? Time will soon tell.

.

Fortunately for everyone involved, Capt. Graf could not have been assigned to a submarine.

.

Submarines are always silent and strange.