Acting SECNAV Thomas B. Modly fired Capt. Bret E. Crozier, commander of the Theodore Roosevelt, when his plea on behalf of his crew after a coronavirus outbreak on the carrier went public.

Adm. Michael M. Gilday, chief of naval operations, recommended giving Capt. Crozier his job back.

Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper declined to endorse that finding, saying he wants to review the Navy’s investigation into the matter first.

Acting SECNAV James E. McPherson, who replaced Modly, said in a statement:

“This investigation will build on the good work of the initial inquiry to provide a more fulsome [my bolding] understanding of the sequence of events, actions and decisions of the chain of command surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak aboard U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt,” Mr. McPherson said.

(Eric Schmitt and Helene Cooper, “Navy Secretary Orders Deeper Inquiry Into Virus-Stricken Ship,” NYTimes, 4-29-20)

McPherson’s need for greater fulsomeness is thought to integrate with Esper’s demand for a heads-up from American commanders around the world concerning any decisions made about protecting their personnel from the virus that might “run afoul of [acting POTUS’s] messaging.”

(c)heers 2020 JMN