Commander Joe Nosse, CO of USS KENTUCKY (SSBN 737 GOLD) was relieved for cause on 17 October 2011 by Captain Paul Skarpness, Commander Submarine Squadron SEVENTEEN.  Captain Skarpness lost confidence in Commander Nosse’s ability to command. Nosse is the 20th Commanding Officer fired in 2011. An official Navy spokesman said, “Commander Nosse exhibited inadequate leadership and oversight of the crew in the areas of operations and administration.”

Captain Sara “Clutch” Joyner, a native of Maryland, received her commission in 1989 graduating with merit from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography.  After graduation, she attended flight school and earned her Naval Aviator wings in July 1991 from VT-24 in Beeville, Texas. After completing flight training, Captain Joyner reported to VC-5, the “Checkertails,” in Cubi Point, Philippines to fly the A-4E Skyhawk. In May of 1992, due to the imminent closure of Cubi Point, she was assigned to VC-8, the “Redtails,” in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.

Captain Joyner reported to COMSTRKFIGHTWINGPAC in Lemoore, California in November of 1994 as Assistant Operations Officer. She subsequently received a transition to the F/A-18 Hornet and reported to VFA-125, the “Rough Raiders,” for training in October of 1996.

Upon completion of her training as a Hornet Pilot, she reported to VFA-147, the “Argonauts,” in May of 1997. Remaining with VFA-147 for both her Junior Officer and Department Head tours, she completed two Western Pacific Cruises to the Arabian Gulf aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) in September of 1997 and USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) in September of 1999 in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. In November of 2001, she again deployed with VFA-147 aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During her tour at VFA-147, she served in many capacities, including the Department Head in Maintenance, Operations, and Safety.  

In January 2002, she reported to United States Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia where she served in the Current Operations Branch as Force Deployment Officer for the NORTHCOM, EUCOM, and CENTCOM Areas of Responsibility in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. She reported to VFA-105 in November of 2006 as Executive Officer.   

In March 2007, Captain Joyner assumed command of VFA-105. On 2 November 2007, she led the Gunslingers on their combat cruise to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Under her leadership the squadron performed nearly 2,000 combat missions totaling over 4,900 flight hours and delivering 35,000 pounds of ordnance in support of coalition ground forces in Iraq.  

Captain Joyner recently completed her tour at OPNAV N88 as the Joint Strike Fighter Requirements officer responsible for bringing the next generation of carrier strike aircraft to the fleet.

She is currently serving as Deputy Commander, Air Wing THREE (“The Battle Axe”), homebased at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

Ranking # 15 (right in the middle of the 31 large government agencies) among the best government agencies to work for, Navy is ranked #1 among the Services by the The Best Places to Work rankings — the most comprehensive and authoritative rating of employee satisfaction and commitment in the federal government — are produced by the Partnership for Public Service.  You can see the list HERE.

From the Navy Times

CAPT Geisler, who relieved CAPT Hodge as CTF 53 at a change of command ceremony held at Commander, Sea Logistics Command Central Aviation Unit, Bahrain on January 9, 2011 was fired by VADM Mark Fox, Commander FIFTH Fleet.  Commodore Geisler had been in command for 10 months.  He is the 19th Navy Commanding Officer fired in 2011.

I ask that you continue to stress the importance of command to your wardrooms and to each other. Leadership remains one of our fundamental developmental building blocks (the other two being technical expertise and operational proficiency) and command is the ultimate embodiment of that building block.  There is no higher calling for a naval officer than to command others. 

 

Vice Admiral Michael S. Rogers

Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet

Captain Craig Eaton will retire on 28 October 2011 after 37 fun-filled years serving our great Nation and the Navy.  Beginning his service in 1974 as a Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT), he served in a number of ships and submarines around the world.  In 1984, he was selected for commissioning as an LDO Ensign.

He served as the Electronic Warfare Officer and as the OUTBOARD officer in USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9).  Subsequently, he served in USS RANGER (CV-61) as the carrier’s Cryptologist and Ships Signals Exploitation Space (SSES) division officer.  He was the assistant cryptologic officer and EWO in USS BELKNAP (CG-26). in 1994, he flew as the Senior EP-3E Special Mission Evaluator with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO while assigned to U.S. Naval Security Group Activity Rota, Spain.  He served as Commanding Officer twice – once as CO of Naval Security Group Activity Groton, Connecticut and as CO of U.S. Naval Security Group Activity Rota, Spain.  Most recently he served on the staff of Naval Network Warfare Command and U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet.

Fair Winds and Following Seas Captain !!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ELECTRONIC ATTACK SQUADRON ONE TWO NINE (VAQ-129), CARRIER STRIKE GROUP ELEVEN, AND TASK FORCE 1030 (NAVY INFORMATION OPERATIONS COMMANDS – NORFOLK, SAN DIEGO, AND WHIDBEY ISLAND), FOR THEIR SELECTION AS THE 2011 ASSOCIATION OF OLD CROWS OUTSTANDING NAVY UNIT AWARD WINNERS (AVIATION, SURFACE, AND SHORE).

Chief of Naval Operations 

Navy Times published an article recently which described problems with the PRT measurement and testing program.  Command Fitness Leaders have had enough and are calling out Chiefs and officers who have cheated and bullied their way to passing scores.

Having experienced this cheating and bullying first-hand in Japan, I am surprised to see how long it has taken for this story to surface.  Our CFL  (then CTM1 Holland/now CWO3CWO4) was responsible for CFL certification training for many of the other tenant command CLFs aboard Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan in the 1997-2000 timeframe.  He trained to the Navy standard.  Several CFAY Commanding Officers thought he was too tough in his training and fired their CFLs for being too strict.  Their “Holland” trained CFL had failed too many khaki test takers.  The CO appointed ‘untrained’ CFL passed them on the retest.  BTW, that CO’s failing score was changed to a “PASSED/Within Standards”.  Skipper – you know who you are.  Those aren’t the only standards you ignored. 

I am anxious to see the ‘rest of the story’.

Captain Gary Edwards will be relieved as Commanding Officer of CID Corry Station by Captain Susan K. Cerovsky at a ceremony at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida today, Friday the 14th of October.