Guidance for Slow Learners: Captain Makes 9th Commander in 2011

April 27, 2011 (AP) / SAN DIEGO — The Washington Post [bold added] Commander of San Diego-based Navy destroyer squadron removed from post in Arabian Sea

The language used by the Navy is somewhat unusual in this case. Typically, the Navy relieves an officer of command after an investigation into wrongdoing. This time, the action is being called a removal from command while an investigation is performed. The Navy has experienced a run of commander firings, starting last year. At least 17 commanding officers were relieved of their positions in 2010. Prior to Hornbeck, the count for 2011 was eight, the Navy Times reported. source

According to his now deleted USN biography, Capt. Hornbeck, who had assumed Command of DESRON ONE 23 November 2010, graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree (Physics) in 1982. Following his initial sea tour, Hornbeck elected to remain an Unrestricted Line Officer.

One thing should be crystal clear to all navy observers. The policy that underlies the spate of rapid firings that began in 2010 is ZERO TOLERANCE for COs. Not only does this clear the decks for better promotional opportunities, particularly for female USNA grads, it underscores an entirely new atomsphere on submarines "the last male bastion".

When the message to COs is ZERO TOLERANCE, it must now be clearl to Dept Heads, JOs, the COB, CPOs, and even to the most junior enlisteds that ZERO TOLERANCE now applies to their behavior as well.

Thank you for your service, Capt Hornbeck. And to all active duty Navy personnel, be very, very careful in the new, ZERO TOLERANCE Global Force for Good!

Submarines are always silent and strange.