The admiral confirmed to lead the U.S. Navy starting next month will instead step aside from assuming the chief of naval operations job and retire, service officials confirmed to USNI News on Sunday night.
“I informed the Secretary of the Navy today that I have decided to decline my appointment as the next Chief of Naval Operations. He has expressed his support,” Adm. Bill Moran, who was set to be sworn in as the 32nd CNO on Aug. 1, wrote in a statement provided to USNI News.
“I made this difficult decision based on an open investigation into the nature of some of my personal email correspondence over the past couple of years and for continuing to maintain a professional relationship with a former staff officer, now retired, who had while in uniform been investigated and held accountable over allegations of inappropriate behavior.”
In a separate statement, Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer praised Moran’s service but said that relationship was enough for him “to call his judgment into question.”
“I have a strong vision for the Department of the Navy — one that includes trust among sailors, Marines, and civilians and an urgent resolve by all to live up to the nation’s high standards for our Navy and Marine Corps,” he said.
“Department leadership must reflect that vision, and there must be no doubt we are wholly committed to ensuring a culture and work environment where every person is treated with dignity and respect and free from hostile behavior of any kind.”
NBC and The Associated Press first reported the story on Sunday.
A senior Navy official told USNI News on Sunday that the person referred to in Moran’s statement was Cmdr. Chris Servello, the former spokesman for Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson.
Servello was removed his position with the CNO after allegations of misconduct from multiple women during and after a 2016 holiday party at the Pentagon. The Navy investigated the allegations and found the allegations did not rise to the “level of criminal sexual harassment” but that the PAO “consistently failed to demonstrate the maturity or judgment that would be expected of an officer in his position,” according to a 2018 Pentagon Inspector General investigation.
In a statement to USNI News, Servello said “it’s hard not to feel disappointment and disbelief. This is terrible news for the Navy. Beyond that, I have nothing else to add.”
Moran was set to take over the Navy at a tumultuous time for a service set to grow into a modern high-end force after playing a support role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The career aviator who became the chief of naval personnel and vice chief of naval operations was widely respected in not only the Navy but the Pentagon writ large as pragmatic leader who was capable of managing the realities of the service’s growing role in the era of great power competition, several current and senior defense officials have told USNI News over the last several months in the lead up to his nomination and confirmation.
“Serving in the United States Navy has been a high honor and privilege. For over 38 years, I have drawn so much satisfaction from that service, and nothing has made me more proud than to have been a United States sailor,” Moran said in his statement.
“I believe in the institution. And I believe I am doing right by it.”
Richardson will serve as CNO until a replacement nominee is selected and confirmed by the Senate. He had been set to retire following the planned Aug. 1 change of command ceremony.
The following are the complete July 7, 2019 statements from Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer and Adm. Bill Moran.
Statement by Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer:
Adm. Bill Moran recently brought to my attention that over the past two years he maintained a professional relationship with an individual who was held accountable and counseled for failing to meet the values and standards of the Naval profession. While I admire his faithful service and commitment to the Navy, this decision on his part to maintain that relationship has caused me to call his judgment into question. Therefore, today I accepted Adm. Moran’s request to retire.
The current Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson, will remain the CNO. I will make my recommendation for a new CNO candidate to the Acting Secretary of Defense.
I have a strong vision for the Department of the Navy — one that includes trust among Sailors, Marines, and Civilians and an urgent resolve by all to live up to the nation’s high standards for our Navy and Marine Corps. Department leadership must reflect that vision, and there must be no doubt we are wholly committed to ensuring a culture and work environment where every person is treated with dignity and respect and free from hostile behavior of any kind.
Adm. Bill Moran has served this country honorably for decades. I am grateful for the years of dedicated service by him and his family.
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Statement by Adm. Bill Moran
I informed the Secretary of the Navy today that I have decided to decline my appointment as the next Chief of Naval Operations. He has expressed his support.
I made this difficult decision based on an open investigation into the nature of some of my personal email correspondence over the past couple of years and for continuing to maintain a professional relationship with a former staff officer, now retired, who had while in uniform been investigated and held accountable over allegations of inappropriate behavior.
To be clear, my decision to maintain this relationship was in no way an endorsement or tacit approval of this kind of conduct. I understand how toxic it can be to any team when inappropriate behavior goes unrecognized and unchecked. Every Sailor is entitled to serve in an environment free of harassment or intimidation.
As painful as it is to submit my request to retire, I will not be an impediment whatsoever to the important service that you and your families continue to render the nation every day.
I believe in the institution. And I believe I am doing right by it.
Serving in the United States Navy has been a high honor and privilege. For over 38 years, I have drawn so much satisfaction from that service and nothing has made me more proud than to have been a United States Sailor.
I thank President Trump and Secretary Spencer for the opportunity they gave me, and I deeply regret any inconvenience my decision causes them.
