The U.S. Navy this week relieved two commanders of their duty on Wednesday, citing a loss of confidence in their respective capacities to command.
Capt. Michael D. Nordeen, the commander of the amphibious transport Mesa Verde, and Cmdr. Alexa Jenkins, commanding officer of the USS Carney, were relieved, according to the Navy.
Capt. Gregory Baker will be assigned as the commander of the Mesa Verde until a permanent replacement is named, the Navy added.
The service added that Capt. Aaron Anderson, the deputy commodore of Naval Surface Squadron 14, will serve as the commanding officer until a permanent replacement is named.
Other Recent Incidents
Last year, the Navy said that it had fired five officers in the span of a few days, while in November, the service said it relieved Cmdr. Cassidi Reese, commanding officer of the VX-31, also due to a loss of confidence.“The loss of confidence is a result of actions leading to a Nov. 4, 2022 arrest and citation for driving while intoxicated at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California,” the Navy said at the time.
Vaccine Mandate Dropped
Earlier this month, the Navy, along with other branches of the military, officially dropped separating sailors who didn’t receive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a Jan. 11 message issued by Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman. The vaccine mandate was implemented in August 2021 after an order was handed down by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.The message tells commanders to “immediately discontinue administrative separation processing of Navy Service Members solely for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, including those with approved separation letters,“ Cheeseman said. The bulleting also stated that “all commands will immediately suspend” new punishments for refusing the vaccine.