Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly is canceling review boards for three SEAL officers that could have stripped them of their special operations status, according to a late Wednesday statement provided to USNI News.
“I have directed the Chief of Naval Operations to terminate the Trident Reviews for three Naval Special Warfare officers,” Modly wrote. “Given the unique circumstances of these three remaining cases, I have determined that any failures in conduct, performance, judgment, or professionalism exhibited by these officers be addressed through other administrative measures as appropriate, such as letters of instruction or performance observations on their officer fitness reports.”
The three officers, Lt. Jacob Portier, Lt. Cmdr. Robert Breisch and Lt. Thomas MacNeil, were part of SEAL Team 7 during a deployment to Iraq in 2017 and were involved in the Navy’s failed prosecution of SEAL Chief Edward Gallagher on multiple charges — including murder. Portier was also charged criminally for actions during the deployment but all counts against him were dropped.
“My decision in these three specific cases should not be interpreted in any way as diminishing [the SEAL] ethos, or our nation’s expectations that it be fulfilled,” Modly wrote.
“Navy uniformed leaders have my full confidence that they will continue to address challenging cultural issues within the Naval Special Warfare community, instill good order and discipline, and enforce the very highest professional standards we expect from every member of that community.”
Modly’s statement follows the formal cancelation of Gallagher’s Trident Review Board on Tuesday as ordered by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.
Gallagher’s board, that could have stripped him of his Naval Special Warfare rating, was initiated by Naval Naval Special Warfare Command head Rear Adm. Collin Green last week. However, news of the board reached the White House and an order to stop it from President Trump on Thursday.
“The Navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher’s Trident Pin. This case was handled very badly from the beginning. Get back to business!” Trump wrote.
Former SECNAV Richard V. Spencer was fired by Esper on Sunday in attempt to negotiate a resolution to the rift with the White House.
On Monday Esper said Spencer proposed a deal, without Esper’s knowledge, to the White House that would allow Gallagher’s board to move ahead but result in Gallagher retaining his SEAL rating.
Based on the charged environment surrounding the Gallagher board, Esper ordered it canceled.
“The issue should not be thrown in the laps of a board of senior NCOs to sort out. As professional as they are, no matter what they would decide, they would be criticized from many sides, which would further drag this issue on, dividing this institution,” Esper said on Monday. “I want the SEALs and the Navy to move beyond this now and get fully focused on their warfighting mission.”
Without naming Gallagher or the other SEAL officers, Acting SECNAV Modly said it was time for the SEALs to move beyond, “recent events.”
“In my judgment, neither deserves the continued distraction and negative attention that recent events have evoked. Our special operators are part of a unique fighting force that has been at war for nearly twenty years,” he wrote.
“We ask them to meet a very high standard of competence in the use of deadly force, matched by an equally high standard for ethical behavior in combat. This expectation is no higher than the standard our special warriors have set for themselves.”
The following is the complete Nov. 27, 2019 statement from Acting SECNAV Modly
STATEMENT FROM ACTING SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
As Acting Secretary of the Navy I have directed the Chief of Naval Operations to terminate the Trident Reviews for three Naval Special Warfare officers. Given the unique circumstances of these three remaining cases, I have determined that any failures in conduct, performance, judgment, or professionalism exhibited by these officers be addressed through other administrative measures as appropriate, such as letters of instruction or performance observations on their officer fitness reports.
The United States Navy, and the Naval Special Warfare Community specifically, have dangerous and important work to do. In my judgment, neither deserves the continued distraction and negative attention that recent events have evoked. Our special operators are part of a unique fighting force that has been at war for nearly twenty years. We ask them to meet a very high standard of competence in the use of deadly force, matched by an equally high standard for ethical behavior in combat. This expectation is no higher than the standard our special warriors have set for themselves. The SEAL ethos states this standard quite clearly,
“I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.”
My decision in these three specific cases should not be interpreted in any way as diminishing this ethos, or our nation’s expectations that it be fulfilled. Navy uniformed leaders have my full confidence that they will continue to address challenging cultural issues within the Naval Special Warfare community, instill good order and discipline, and enforce the very highest professional standards we expect from every member of that community. These are standards that scores of brave Sailors have given their lives to establish and preserve. It is our obligation to honor their sacrifice, and the values of our nation, in everything we do in peace, in crisis, but most especially in war. We can, we must, and we will get this right.
THOMAS B. MODLY (Acting)
