My former CO, RADM Ned Deets, now Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command, relieved Commander Mary Ann L. Giese, commanding officer of U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) Bahrain Aug. 21 due to loss of confidence in her ability to command. According to Navy sources, “a preliminary investigation into allegations that she had been involved in inappropriate relationships with other Navy personnel,” according to a statement from 10th Fleet. “The investigation results call into question Giese’s ability to continue to effectively lead in her command.”SHE WAS FIRED FIVE DAYS BEFORE HER SCHEDULED CHANGE OF COMMAND. HER ISIC MUST HAVE BEEN VERY INTENT ON MAKING A POINT OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF HER ACTIONS AND MAKING A VERY PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION OF HIS DISCONTENT WITH HER PERFORMANCE. OUCH! And, she was destined for much bigger and better things. Captain is no longer in her future.
Stars and Stripes is reporting that the XO has temporarily assumed command pending arrival of her permanent replacement. Seems like her relief would already be in place and conducting turnover with Commander Giese if the change of command was scheduled for 26 August 2010. Something doesn't quite fit in this story.
Commander Mary Ann Giese is a 1992 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science.
Her first duty station was Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Jacksonville where she served in a variety of positions; Administrative Division Officer, Total Quality Leadership Officer, Public Affairs Officer and Wide Area/Local Area Network Manager. DIVOFF TOUR
In 1995, she reported to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Pacific where she served as Fleet Telecommunications Operations Center Watch Officer, Pacific Region Network Operations Center Division Officer and Assistant N3 Department Head. From 1998 to 2000, she attended Naval Postgraduate School earning a Master of Science Degree in Space Systems Operations. DIVOFF and Asst DH and Education Tours
Upon completion of studies, she reported to the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick AFB, Florida as an instructor and Chief of Curriculum. In 2003, she was assigned to Joint Analysis Center, Molesworth, United Kingdom where she served as Operations Officer for the Intelligence Technology Directorate and the Navy Element Commander. (OPS and Command Tours) While serving on Commander, Carrier Strike Group Twelve as the Deputy N6 and Knowledge Manager from 2005 to 2007, she completed a seven-month deployment to four AORs supporting Maritime Security Operations, Theater Security Cooperation, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and other Global War on Terror initiatives. (SEA tour) In 2007 she transferred to Naval Network Warfare Command where she served as Battle Watch Captain and a staff officer in the Command Information Office (CIO) Directorate. (STAFF Tour) During this tour, she attended Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JPMEII) at Joint Forces Staff College. (Education)
Commander Giese’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star, and various service and campaign awards.
Argghh, I knew here when I was over there. Very friendly lady. . .
ReplyDeleteHer biography has already been removed from the command's website, so thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteChief of Equal Opportunity curriculum? Hmmmm. Seems like she would know NNWC's expectations since she was a Battle Watch Captain.
ReplyDelete"Inappropriate relationships" is a bit vague.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was the Commanding Officer of NSGA Yokosuka Japan, the NSG IG received a complaint from one of our Sailors that the XO and I had an inappropriate relationship. The Sailor thought that the XO and I spent too much time together and as a result of that relationship, somehow my XO was able to gain a promotion from LTjg to LT in just two years!!!
Since the CNO is wants people to track the metrics on diversity, what is the percentage of female commanding officers fired this year?
ReplyDeleteThe first of USNA 1992 to be fired. Class is not doing too bad.
ReplyDeleteThe Navy’s 5th Fleet Staff Judge Advocate office, based in Bahrain, conducted the investigation after receiving a complaint, Mavica said.
ReplyDeleteThe relationships were “more than just platonic,” he said. There were “several inappropriate relationships … of varying degrees, not all the same,” he said.
I am trying hard to find the leadership tours that prepared her for command. Anyone see anything that suggests she had that training? It struck me that she had staff, followed by staff, followed by staff, followed by staff, and then command. Is this another woman that we wanted to succeed so bad that we set her up for failure? (I don't see any warfare qualification either.)
ReplyDeleteI had a great divoff tour aboard ship and DH tour at a major shore command before my current tour as XO. My CO was similarly trained and had also served as XO.
No Divo, DH, XO tours? No time at sea; no warfare device? Talk about set up for failure! Sounds like another CNO "lister"
ReplyDeleteXO NCTS somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteShe had DH tours and was the Navy Element commander in Molesworth. Look a little closer at her bio. She had the expected progressive growth tours for an IP. Jobs are not specifically titled DIVOFF, DH, etc. leadership tours. She had the expected career progression for an IP and should have been well-prepared for command. She must have passed muster at the IP Commander Command screening board.
Ooops, there is no IP CO Screen Board, but the good news is it starts this year! Take a look at the resume of any IP CO and tell us what the criteria might be. Same could be said for the other IDC communities, but they have not of late enjoyed a public failure (though more than a few have in the eyes o their Sailors).
ReplyDeleteNo CO/XO training or afloat tours are required to know that having "inappropriate relationships" that are "more than just platonic" with people in your command is wrong...period. In my opinion, she knew it was wrong, but figured the perks were worth the possible consequences.
ReplyDeleteOnce again the privilege of command wasted by immoral behavior.
ReplyDeleteI would be curious to see how man of the 13 CO's fired this year committed similar crimes...
To "Captain of NSGA Yokosuka",
ReplyDeleteAiring your “commands” dirty laundry to make a point is reprehensible. Further, it seems rather "funny" that a JG is an XO in that community, and even funnier that you claim that making LT is an achievement beyond putting the few years in it takes to make O-3; all you have to do is keep your nose clean and it is automatic. Applause for the JG that made LT…good job; you managed to join the 100’s (borderline 1,000’s) of other 0-2’s to not f’up and make 0-3.
To Anonymous 10:00PM
ReplyDeleteI think you missed the point entirely. I was pointing out that there are any number of complaints made to the IG that don't have merit. Of course the XO and I spent most of our time together, of course the XO made LT and so forth. The Sailor thought the XO got promoted because we hung out together.
As it was pointed out in a previous comment - "no warfare device" - that's just part of the problem with the IP community. One of their requirements for acceptance into the IP community is a warfare qual unless you were grandfathered in.
ReplyDeleteBut this lack of qual does not apparently affect advancement' nor does the difference in demographics between big Navy and the IP community. The majority of the IP community was made up of primarily females.
One of the reasons to add warfare qual as a prerequisite to entry into the community was an attempt to establish some credibility so that when they started going after shipboard assignments, the Surface Warfare guys would not completely dismiss them.
This would also accomplish getting more males into the community so that the demographics were more inline with the rest of the Navy. The problem with this is that there were still a majority of females in the more senior positions and they made sure that the other senior females continued to get promoted at a rate well above the rest of the Navy.
If you were to look at promotion rates for females to O-5 and O-6 you'd see about a 40% female to 60%male rate of promotion. This is definitely not in line with big Navy numbers. And this rate of promotion only continues to keep non-warfare females at the senior levels of the community.
This is not to say you need to be warfare qual'd to be effective. But when the IP community was formed, they realized that the warfare qual was important enough to make it a requirement. Just not for those that estiblished the community.
I think it was best summed up when it was pointed out that there isn't a board that selects CO's. That's because leadership is not even in the IP community's top 10 characteristics of what makes a good IP.
There is a board however that selects IPs to go to "At Sea" billets. This ensure that those without any sea time or warfare qual at least can say they have been on a ship.
Someone should take a real close look at this community.
Bahrain is a temping place and many officers, all the way from the top, leave their morals somewhere else. Just like the Saudi's do when they come accross the King's Causway-- "Bahrain is the land that Alah does not see."
ReplyDelete"As it was pointed out in a previous comment - "no warfare device" - that's just part of the problem with the IP community. One of their requirements for acceptance into the IP community is a warfare qual unless you were grandfathered in."
ReplyDeleteHow is this any different than IW or Intel? The three communities do not have their own warfare pin, but that doesn't mean these Officers are ignorant and useless. Besides, they'll have their own pin in a month.
The book is still being written on CDR G. It's not a happy story. Unfortunately, female infidelity and moral bankruptcy is just as ugly as the male version. My only hope is that she is not allowed to retire as a Commander. And it really pisses me off that the CO is the person that reflects poorly on our command after all her B.S. Its not right.
ReplyDeleteThe 5th Fleet Staff Judge Advocate's office should investigate the rest of the “inappropriate relationships.” If they are going to toss the CO then its only fitting they continue to clean house. The Chief’s Mess could use a good field day.
ReplyDeleteThey are still doing it
ReplyDelete