Undermining the chain of command should have been covered during plebe year. How is going around the acting SECNAV’s decision directly to the POTUS acceptable because one does not like the decision? The SECNAV didn’t do anything illegal, immoral, or unethical. One’s opinion doesn’t matter…clearly respect for the chain of command was broken for anything but a good reason. It was also done multiple times through various mediums, to include the press. If an officer conducted themselves in this behavior, I guarantee they would get an LOI and their FITREP wouldn’t look so good.
The only reason for the reversal of this decision is due to undermining the chain of command…what other services do is their prerogative, but not a reason to cry foul.
However, the SECDEF made his decision, so it is what it is.