Everyone has a story. What's yours?
 Linda Thomas
twitter: @TheNewsChick
About Linda
Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.

If you have a news tip or story idea, I'd love to hear from you...

To leave a voice message for Linda about any of her stories call toll free 1-855-251-2363

Follow Me on Pinterest


Dariak.jpg
U.S. Navy, Cmdr. Joseph Darlak is the latest Navy leader to be relieved of duty after an investigation into drinking and inappropriate behavior during a port visit. Here he's shown Sept. 20 taking a bite of a traditional offering of bread and salt after arriving in Vladivostok, Russia.(Ryan P. Mutha/U.S. Navy photo)

More Navy leaders relieved of duty after rowdy port visit

November 8, 2012 @ 10:32 pm (Updated: 8:31 am - 11/9/12 )

Drunken behavior during a port visit has led to the dismissal of another Navy commander and three other top officers, days after the leader of the USS Stennis carrier group was sent back to Bremerton.

The Navy hasn't said much about why they've removed Rear Admiral Charles Gaouette from his command October 27. They are conducting an internal investigation involving his judgment.

The Navy is offering more explanation about the commander of the USS Vandegrift, which is a frigate based in San Diego that was built at the Todd Shipyards. This frigate was not with the Stennis carrier group.

Vandegrift Commander Joseph Darlak was relieved of duty one week ago due to "a loss of confidence after displaying poor leadership and failure to ensure the conduct of his officers" while visiting the Russian port of Vladivostok in September.

Translation, according to San Diego media reports - Darlak was part of a "rowdy, booze-fueled port visit."

The ship's executive officer, Commander Ivan Jimenez, was also removed from the ship along with the operations officer and chief engineer, "for personal conduct and use of alcohol."

A Navy release stated, "Inappropriate behavior and judgment in positions of authority are unacceptable."

That phrase "inappropriate judgment" was used to describe the Stennis Rear Admiral also.

A military analyst I talked with a week ago said the Navy is on track to fire a record number of commanders this year for bad behavior.

"The Navy this year has had a spike in firings of these kinds of officers. They've fired over a dozen so far with problems related to offenses about sexual misconduct, alcohol, or some other kind of personal misconduct," says Lyons.

Now 14 commanders have been relieved of duty, which essentially ends their careers.

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (17)


  • Add A Comment

  • Btheman wrote...
    I just left a Navy base
    November 10, 2012 12:15 pm
    They do know how to party! If you ever get the chance to attend the Navy ball, do so. What a class act.....but you do get the feel that some of the guys there may be out of control. Now that dont ask dont tell is over, it is nice to see two chicks making out...and they were hot chicks, not lumberjacks.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    that's what a port visit is for
    November 10, 2012 4:17 pm
    you're out to sea for months protecting our freedom! of course you're going to get drunk and rowdy when you come in for a few minutes. not like they were flashing their badges and threatening citizens to stay out of the atlantic.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    The Navy has got quite a few "traditions" drinking at port
    November 10, 2012 7:12 pm
    to excess is one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line-crossing_ceremony
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }