Navy removes ship's command after boozy port visit

In this U.S. Navy handout photo the USS Vandegrift arrives November 19, 2003 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for a scheduled port visit. / Photo by Gary B. Granger/U.S. Navy via Getty Images

SAN DIEGO The commander and top officers of a San Diego-based Navy frigate have been relieved of duty after a rowdy, booze-fueled port visit to Vladivostok, Russia.

Cmdr. Joseph E. Darlak, skipper of the USS Vandegrift, was removed Friday by Capt. John L. Schultz after an investigation "due to loss of confidence after demonstrating poor leadership and failure to ensure the proper conduct of his wardroom officers" during the three-day September stop, the Navy said in a statement.

Executive officer Lt. Cmdr. Ivan A. Jimenez and the ship's chief engineer and operations officer were also relieved "for personal conduct involving use of alcohol and not adhering to established liberty policies," the statement said.

The names of the two lower-ranked officers were not released because their positions are not considered public under Navy policy, and Navy officials did not give specifics on the misbehavior of any of the officers.

The officers were relieved during a port visit in Guam, and they'll be temporarily reassigned in San Diego pending more possible administrative actions, the Navy Times reported.

Darlak's ouster comes just over three months after he assumed command of the Vandegrift. He previously served as executive officer of the destroyer Stethem.

Capt. H. Thomas Workman, a deputy commander from the ship's squadron, has taken over the Vandegrift until it returns to San Diego at the end of its seven-month deployment later this month, the statement said, and the Navy emphasizes that the ship remains fully ready for any mission.

[maltedmilkballs]

This from a old fart. I proudly served many years aboard the USS Intrepid. I was with her when she was a CVA and then her next duty as a CVS. I was aboard her in the Tonkin gulf, the Artic Circle, the north atlantic, the Meditrainian and so many "good will" port calls I can not remember most of them. Life aboard any ship of a carrier group is interesting to say the least. We joked many times calling her the USS never see home port. There were damn few not proud to be part of her crew and history. Just about all new men were taken to aft steering and taught this is the place many died after a torpedo hit. Then taken to the fan tail explaining about the kamaksie hit there and all that died. This was to give a little of her history, but most important to drive the point home, war or no war, what we do at sea week after week after week is not a game.
The wording of " no confidence" is very serious in terms of the navy. This was much more than to much beer and a hooker or three. This tells me what ever happen put the ship and crew "at risk". Any sailor with more than a year under his belt understands this. Life aboard a ship of the line even at peace time is very dangerous. From the captian to the lowest seaman, there has to be a level of trust that is impossible to explain until you have been there. To the officiers of this ship that were involved in whatever, I have no pity!!!

[MIO42]

Have ya ever been to sea Billy?
No but I've been.................. .....re !

[hbullis]

MIO42,
I realize I'm old and out of touch but What?

[ThomasSense]

The Navy of the 70s doesn't sound any different than the Navy of today. I toured Hawaii in a Jeep, swam in a beautiful cove, and ate fresh pineapple. Most others went to strip clubs and bars. Special Services is the on base entertainment offered. Go cart tracks, scuba diving rental, sailboat rental, photography labs, etc. I took a tour to Manila and the mountains of the Phillipines. I was surprised when we ended up at a brothel for an overnight stay. I would guess that these officers really embarrassed the Navy and like another writer said Russia isn't necessarily friendly territory.

[hbullis]

NEWSJUNKIE, I agree with all you say having spent 71-75 in the U.S. Navy as Hull Tech aboard a distroyer and an amunition/oiler. When you're out to sea for weeks it is a busy life contrary to what many may think. As you know there are hours of work maintaing the ship, performing drills to save the ship and all aboard. Then there are the 12 on 12 off security watches, middle of the night repairs that get you out of the rack etc. Oh yea, I almost forgot replishment of other ships fuel, food and weapons during the day and night regardless of the weather and many times the roughness of the sea plummeting you with wake. Makes me tire thinking about it! But I am proud to have served it was a learning expirience. And, a maturing one.
Lastly, I feel for the commanding officers of that ship. It likly will be a career ending expirience for them especially hard when having your own command is probably the biggest dream of any navy officer. I know many a sailor who were out of character when they "hit the beach" after days out to sea as I am sure you understand.

[MisterNatural13]

they used to be called Navy men, now i guess we should call them navy frat boys

[MisterNatural13]

they used to be called Navy men, now i guess we should call them navy frat boys

[MisterNatural13]

they used to be called Navy men, now i guess we should call them navy frat boys

[rwsmith29456]

Seamen getting drunk and acting badly? They must have REALLY done something wild and crazy to get this kind of censure.

[sand_pie]

They were only doing Romans as the Romans had been doing.

[Lao_Po]

Russian port, not necessarily a friendly host like Australia, so different Rules of Engagement apply. Behavior that friends would laugh off the Russians might not. Making our country look bad in a nation that is not disposed to like is isn't, as we used to say, "career enhancing".