Captain Honors Relieved of Command

As a result of the videos he produced while XO, the Navy has relieved CAPT Owen “Opie” Honors of his command of the aircraft carrier USS EnterpriseSaid ADM John Harvey:

While Capt. Honors’ performance as commanding officer of USS Enterprise has been without incident, his profound lack of good judgment and professionalism while previously serving as executive officer on Enterprise calls into question his character and completely undermines his credibility to continue to serve effectively in command.

The Admiral did not explain how the videos from 2007 would undermine Honors’ command of the Enterprise in 2011, but did not undermine his command of the USS Mount Whitney in the intervening years, as when he delivered aid to Georgia after its war with Russia.  (Some groups are claiming earlier ‘inaction’ on the Navy’s part may be a negative indicator of the institution’s culture.)

The Navy Times published more videos here, some of which are literally the standard fare public service announcements.  Some of Honors’ videos were distasteful and unprofessional, and, as the Navy said,

It is fact that as naval officers we are held to a higher standard…

Notably, however, there have been no indications, at least publicly, that Honors’ command culture was anything but respectful and professional.  It is possible that his command climate mirrored his videos, but unlike some other Navy officers, there has yet to be any mainstream public criticism of his actual leadership.  In fact, the opposite has been true.

Though readers here are likely not surprised, others may be shocked to learn profanity, sexual innuendo, and frat house style humor are actually rather common in the military culture.

Think Honors’ firing, or that of others around him, will change that?

2 comments

  • Carmine Wiggins

    You Kinda sound like you are defending him. There were complaints due to offensive material and that includes sexual innuendo, profanity and frat-house style humor and this “culture” as you call it must be changed. It fuels the fire for more, possibly worse behavior in the future. Really shameful; something I would not want my daughter exposed to if she chose a navy career.

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