The Executive Officer of the amphibious transport dock USS NEW YORK (LPD-21) was fired on 21 December for having an “unduly familiar relationship” with a female member of the crew, the Navy announced Thursday.
Commander John Pethel was relieved by Captain Mark Scovill, commander of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8, and was given a punitive letter of reprimand for fraternization, according to a statement by Naval Surface Force Atlantic.
Commander Pethel has been temporarily reassigned to SURFLANT. Lieutenant Commander Ethan Mitchell has assumed responsibilities as Executive Officer.
Commander Pethel had been Executive Officer since January 2011. He almost survived a year. He was relieved as Executive Officer in November while under investigation and was awarded Nonjudicial Punishment in December.
His bio follows:
Commander John Pethel was born in Sumter, SC and joined the United States Navy upon graduating high school in Mount Pleasant, SC in 1986. Completed Naval Aircrew School and Aviation Rescue Swimmer school in 1987 with subsequent operational tours in Helantisubron Twelve in Atsugi, Japan (USS MIDWAY CV-41) and Helantisubron Eight in San Diego, California (USS INDEPENDENCE CV-62). Shore duty was served as an instructor at FASOTRAGRUPAC from 1992-1995. In 1995, was selected to attend Officer Candidate School with Division Officer tours in USS TAYLOR (FFG-50), and USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) from 1996-1999. Attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA and received a Master’s of Arts for National Security and Affairs in the summer of 2001. Surface Warfare Department tours were conducted in USS TORTUGA (LSD-46) from 2002-2003 and USS WASP (LHD-1) from 2003-2005, both as the First Lieutenant. Shore duty assignment was as the Deputy Director for a NATO program while attached to the US Joint Forces Command from 2005-2007, with follow-on orders to serve as the Amphibious Placement Officer in Millington, TN from 2007-2008. Volunteered for an Individual Augment while assigned to Millington and served 8 months in Kandahar, Afghanistan working with the Afghan National Army. Upon completion of the Afghanistan tour, served as the Assistant Personnel Officer on the Staff of Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic until reporting in USS NEW YORK (LPD-21) as the Executive Officer in January 2011.
CDR Pethel has received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal (3) and various unit awards and decorations.
CDR Pethel has received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal (3) and various unit awards and decorations.
10 comments:
When will they ever learn?
ANCHOR UP OFFICERS!
Each firing weakens and strengthens the Navy. It is a very interesting dichotomy.
I am sorry Anonymous of December 25, 2011 12:42 PM, it is not a dichotomy, it is really an insult to the integrity of the United States Navy. There is no way that it strengthens the honorable service of its members to our Navy or our Country.
Navyman834
By getting rid of theses bad actors, the Navy gets better.
Anonymous of December 25, 2011 12:42 PM, I track with your logic but to be a true dichotomy - and not be detrimental overall - there would have to be an equal weakening and strengthening.
In these cases that is never true because each time a leader is fired, his/her replacement (and others of similar stature) lose the trust of their subordinates. The sad truth is, the XO in place now takes the job with a little less trust and faith from the crew because of the actions of his predecessor. The end result is a weakened Navy in every case.
Previous USS NEW YORK CMC Stocklin was fired for same thing. People are posting current CMC also to be fired.
The new CMC needs to be fired. He is a horrible leader and bullies people to get his way.
And it appears he's still having a familiar relationship with the subordinate!
pethel has screwed over many people in the great USN. He is known for it. One of the biggest POS the Navy has ever seen. Always blowing his chest out and saying look at me!! Even in his days as a 3rd class, always sacking something he thinks will get him ahead. I have dealt with this pile for over 20 years. Nice to see what goes around comes around.
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