Money misuse at USNA a factor in Fowler's ouster as Superintendent
- Thread starter Luigi59
- Start date
- Status
Luigi59
Banned
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2007
- Messages
- 4,566
Who thinks that? I haven't seen any posts here that would present that picture, have you?
It has happened at USMMA and USCGA, we know of those. At USCGA, the misappropriation of some NAFs lead to the suicide of the guilty party, and at USMMA, it lead to many changes in the accounting practices of NAFs.
Yes, I saw both this and the plastics company before I made my original statement. This looks basically like a wiring harness business. With very few exceptions, the military does not purchase wiring harnesses direct. Defense contractors who build and repair ships, airplanes, vehicles, etc. etc buy wiring harnesses. The military purchases the end product. The military has no control over components that go into these end products so long as they meet specifications.
His donations would not have any control at all over his business. While 'wealthy defense contractor' is technically a true statement, 'wealthy alumni' is a more appropriate term.
The service academies as we know them cannot survive without donations. The Superintendent is in charge of obtaining these donations. DoD accounting/accountability procedures are very unwieldy in recognizing the need to 'wine and dine' these contributors. One of the major purposes of the Alumni Assn is to manage these monies outside government accounting. Is it not a less than ideal situation to have one individual responsible for an activity but not have him responsible for the funds with which to effect this responsibility? Maybe frustration caused the creation of the fund.
Last edited:
Oh I'm on board for "outside donations" even from military contractors. Your description of the situation is a little ambiguous; we're moving toward: it depends on what the definition of is is" semantics.
That said, you'll have to admit it has the appearance of very inappropriate, especially if it was done out of frustration. Again, JMHO
Inappropriate. Definitely. But just pointing out some reasons that might have caused it.
The next time you are at a Navy air show, read the fine print in the program. It will most likely be 'presented' by Navy Relief, the wives club, or some other outside organization, not the hosting air station. Why? Among, other reasons, so the sponsorers do not have to buy their own beer at a cash bar when they are at the reception getting their pictures taken with the Blue Angels. Just nothing in the Navy accounting system for that free beer for the guy who provided the fleet of Corvettes for the Blues to drive around while they were in town.
The next time you are at a Navy air show, read the fine print in the program. It will most likely be 'presented' by Navy Relief, the wives club, or some other outside organization, not the hosting air station. Why? Among, other reasons, so the sponsorers do not have to buy their own beer at a cash bar when they are at the reception getting their pictures taken with the Blue Angels. Just nothing in the Navy accounting system for that free beer for the guy who provided the fleet of Corvettes for the Blues to drive around while they were in town.
Last edited:
hawkspoofer
5-Year Member
- Joined
- May 26, 2010
- Messages
- 8
Mongo? Isn't that the call sign of Cdr. David "Mongo" Koss of the Blue Angels.
We have a Celebrity here!
We have a Celebrity here!
Not me. I get disoriented at over 45 degrees angle of bank.
AF6872
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2007
- Messages
- 4,841
Finally got around to reading the admittedly redacted report. Damning for a commander especially at least twelve pointed references to "alcoholic beverages" in many NAVINSGEN conclusions. Why they focused on this issue I will never understand. Maybe they should serve Skim Milk at all functions. Someone in the new military enlighten me. I know that any alcohol related report on an individual is most probably a career killer but a function with "alcoholic beverages" approved by the commander, please spare me. Another instance of a Commander paying the price for incompetence of subordinates and oversight by pencil pushers. Unfortunate but true.
I remember going over the books for the NCO Club for three days trying to justify why we made more than 10% profit in two consecutive months before the geek from Mountain Home showed up for our audit. We did some great Bingo Nights after that and the Major never got involved. We were the best night club with Bingo and Bands (civilians allowed) for two hundred and fifty miles in any direction and all in a Quonset Hut. The parties out of the NCO Club "Slush Fund" before we got on the C-141 to CONUS were a sight to behold. FIGMO and carry me to the Freedom Bird. The FOD was all aluminum.
I remember going over the books for the NCO Club for three days trying to justify why we made more than 10% profit in two consecutive months before the geek from Mountain Home showed up for our audit. We did some great Bingo Nights after that and the Major never got involved. We were the best night club with Bingo and Bands (civilians allowed) for two hundred and fifty miles in any direction and all in a Quonset Hut. The parties out of the NCO Club "Slush Fund" before we got on the C-141 to CONUS were a sight to behold. FIGMO and carry me to the Freedom Bird. The FOD was all aluminum.
Luigi59
Banned
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2007
- Messages
- 4,566
Navy reverses academy punishment; superintendent to leave early
By Justin Fenton, The Baltimore Sun
11:52 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2010
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/ma...naval-academy-change-20100713,0,2814447.story
The Naval Academy superintendent, recently under fire over an off-the-books "slush fund," will be forced out of his position a month earlier than expected, officials said Tuesday...
Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler had planned to retire in September after three years at the academy's helm, but the chief of naval operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, directed an exit by the first week in August.....
...The Navy also determined that there had been "inconsistencies" in the application of the academy's honor code involving seven Midshipmen alleged to have committed a violation, including two football players....
...Officials said recommendations by Fowler to expel two Midshipmen had been overruled and the students would be offered the opportunity to return.
W. Scott Hannon, a Baltimore attorney who said he was representing one of the students whose suspension was overturned, cheered the reversal, which he described as extremely rare.
"To not go along with the recommendations is almost unprecedented," said Hannon, a former Marine officer. "It speaks to a lack of confidence by the secretary that this study was even conducted in the first place...."
...The report concluded that the expenditures, some of them "extravagant and wasteful," did nothing for the intended beneficiaries: the academy's midshipmen....
...Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus asked Roughead on June 11 to review the academy's honor code procedures after becoming aware of possible inconsistencies in the adjudication of violations. The review examined the adjudication of 27 Midshipmen who allegedly violated the code during the 2009-2010 academic year.
Roughead's report scrutinized eight cases and found that the disciplinary decisions were "within the authority and discretion" of the superintendent and commandant. But he said that there were "inconsistencies and therefore understandable perceptions of disparate treatment," with consideration given to factors including a Midshipman's status as a foreign national student, varsity football player or as a child of a senior officer....
...Two cases involved football players; in one, a player committed at least three violations in one month but was retained and offered remediation based on the commandant's determination that alcohol was the root cause of the violation. After a subsequent alcohol-related incident, the player was dismissed.
In another case, Fowler recommended remediation for a varsity football player "despite numerous previous academic, conduct, and honor issues, and the recommendation of the entire chain of command to separate." Fowler included a "subjective" assessment of his personal development and support from his coach and retired senior officers in deciding to dispose of the violation....
...Officials said the academy's honor and conduct system would be revamped and the new superintendent would begin personally briefing the vice chief of naval operations at the end of each semester, or three times a year, on disciplinary decisions....
By Justin Fenton, The Baltimore Sun
11:52 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2010
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/ma...naval-academy-change-20100713,0,2814447.story
The Naval Academy superintendent, recently under fire over an off-the-books "slush fund," will be forced out of his position a month earlier than expected, officials said Tuesday...
Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler had planned to retire in September after three years at the academy's helm, but the chief of naval operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, directed an exit by the first week in August.....
...The Navy also determined that there had been "inconsistencies" in the application of the academy's honor code involving seven Midshipmen alleged to have committed a violation, including two football players....
...Officials said recommendations by Fowler to expel two Midshipmen had been overruled and the students would be offered the opportunity to return.
W. Scott Hannon, a Baltimore attorney who said he was representing one of the students whose suspension was overturned, cheered the reversal, which he described as extremely rare.
"To not go along with the recommendations is almost unprecedented," said Hannon, a former Marine officer. "It speaks to a lack of confidence by the secretary that this study was even conducted in the first place...."
...The report concluded that the expenditures, some of them "extravagant and wasteful," did nothing for the intended beneficiaries: the academy's midshipmen....
...Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus asked Roughead on June 11 to review the academy's honor code procedures after becoming aware of possible inconsistencies in the adjudication of violations. The review examined the adjudication of 27 Midshipmen who allegedly violated the code during the 2009-2010 academic year.
Roughead's report scrutinized eight cases and found that the disciplinary decisions were "within the authority and discretion" of the superintendent and commandant. But he said that there were "inconsistencies and therefore understandable perceptions of disparate treatment," with consideration given to factors including a Midshipman's status as a foreign national student, varsity football player or as a child of a senior officer....
...Two cases involved football players; in one, a player committed at least three violations in one month but was retained and offered remediation based on the commandant's determination that alcohol was the root cause of the violation. After a subsequent alcohol-related incident, the player was dismissed.
In another case, Fowler recommended remediation for a varsity football player "despite numerous previous academic, conduct, and honor issues, and the recommendation of the entire chain of command to separate." Fowler included a "subjective" assessment of his personal development and support from his coach and retired senior officers in deciding to dispose of the violation....
...Officials said the academy's honor and conduct system would be revamped and the new superintendent would begin personally briefing the vice chief of naval operations at the end of each semester, or three times a year, on disciplinary decisions....
scoutpilot
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2010
- Messages
- 4,479
I don't think this is a discussion that will end well. Perhaps we should let it go, as there seem to be some pretty heavy personal biases involved.
Last edited:
USMMA2014mom
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2010
- Messages
- 78
The USNA alumni need to stop donating so much money as that will speak volumes about EVERYTHING that has been going on the past few years....
scoutpilot
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2010
- Messages
- 4,479
The USNA alumni need to stop donating so much money as that will speak volumes about EVERYTHING that has been going on the past few years....
And in the end, who would that punish besides the midshipmen?
USMMA2014mom
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2010
- Messages
- 78
Well I guess the new midshipmen parents need to start stepping up to the plate... The alumni have been doing their part for a long time...and look where it has gotten them... The New Naval Academy!
The USNA alumni need to stop donating so much money as that will speak volumes about EVERYTHING that has been going on the past few years....
USMMAmom, not following you at all on this. Are you saying that parent donations would somehow be put to better use than those of the alumni?
TacticalNuke
Administrator
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2006
- Messages
- 3,041
Before everyone gets hot to trot on this again, keep this in mind: bans will be handed out for those who decide not to play nice.
I fully support discussion of all appropriate topics on the forum. However, if you cannot be polite and professional, then do not post. If you do choose to post, please be prepared to deal with the consequences of behavior in violation of the forum rules.
-TN
I fully support discussion of all appropriate topics on the forum. However, if you cannot be polite and professional, then do not post. If you do choose to post, please be prepared to deal with the consequences of behavior in violation of the forum rules.
-TN
Luigi59
Banned
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2007
- Messages
- 4,566
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/ma...al-academy-report-honor0714,0,371643.htmlpage
A document all should read before (again) throwing stones at the messengers.
The unequal treatment given to the Mids in these honor violation cases is nauseating. Fowler's special treatment of football players and flag-officer children is disgusting, clearly not consistent with the values he supposedly was sworn to uphold.
A document all should read before (again) throwing stones at the messengers.
The unequal treatment given to the Mids in these honor violation cases is nauseating. Fowler's special treatment of football players and flag-officer children is disgusting, clearly not consistent with the values he supposedly was sworn to uphold.
Are we reading the same report? In six of the eight cases, Admiral Fowler simply supported the chain of command, notably the Commandant. In his lone reversal to recommend expulsion, I feel he was a little harsh. In his lone reversal to recomment retention, I agree.
The report specifically states that ALL punishments were within established guidelines. However, reading between the lines, the Commandant states that better communications are being developed. In other words, like many things we have seen on these forums, the rumor mill of why something happened bore little, if any, resemblence to the real reasons.
Not that the board spells out the inconsistencies but it seems to imply that the real reason is the variation in the length of time. 65 days, 199 days, etc. to hear them and decide the results. I think the goal is 35 days.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2008
- Messages
- 3,059
From my perspective and I believe from that of the Brigade of Midshipmen- the established guidelines are the problem. Personal honor is I believe a bedrock and absolute. To offer 1st Class or even 3rd Class Midshipmen the option of remediation is I think completely inconsistent with the honor concept and expectations placed on Midshipmen. Personally I believe that you are either are a person of integrity and ethics or you are not- and if you are not the correct punishment for the offense is separation ( an approach btw that while harsh has plenty of historical precedent and can be found in practice at VMI today. Absolutes are painful ("it was a just a small lie") but they are easily understood and are supported because they are seen to be impartial. The superintendant may well have been within the established guidelines but from my perspective all that highlights is that the system itself is flawed.
- Status