'I now hate my ship': Surveys reveal disastrous morale on cruiser Shiloh

[bathroommonkey76]

It’s only a matter of time before something horrible happens,” one shipmate warned.

“Our sailors do not trust the CO,” another noted.

It’s a “floating prison,” one said.

“I just pray we never have to shoot down a missile from North Korea,” a distraught sailor lamented, “because then our ineffectiveness will really show.”

These comments come from three command climate surveys taken on the cruiser Shiloh during Capt. Adam M. Aycock’s recently-completed 26-month command. The Japan-based ship is a vital cog in U.S. ballistic missile defense and the 7th Fleet’s West Pacific mission to deter North Korea and counter ascendant Chinese and Russian navies.

These comments are not unique. Each survey runs hundreds of pages, with crew members writing anonymously of dysfunction from the top, suicidal thoughts, exhaustion, despair and concern that the Shiloh was being pushed underway while vital repairs remained incomplete.

Frequently in focus is the commanding officer’s micromanagement and a neutered chiefs mess. Aycock was widely feared among sailors who said minor on-the-job mistakes often led to time in the brig, where they would be fed only bread and water.

Read more:

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/10/09/i-now-hate-my-ship-surveys-reveal-disastrous-morale-on-cruiser-shiloh/

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. I bet the officers' mess keeps a tight watch over cans of strawberries. nt

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

7. Really, do you think he reprimanded Lugash for having his shirt untucked?

I have a good friend who served on a ship with similar issues. He tried every trick he could think of to get transferred until he found one that worked-which I won't share here.

[Old Vet]

2. I once had a CO directly from West Point, Biggest prick EVER............

[SonofDonald]

5. I had a boss that had gone to West Point

Total asshole, just a useless person who fomented dissent just by walking in the room.

One day I'd had enough so I asked him " if you went to West Point and graduated what are you doing in a civilian job so soon after graduation".

It had only been two years since he graduated, he even said this to everybody.

He got all red, steam came out of his ears, and I was fired on the spot.

It seems he had pissed off a lot of people that had been with the company since day one like myself, my employee number was 12, his was around 1250.

Two days later he was gone and my phone rang, "Are you coming back to work?"

"Yes I am".........

Since then I have realized that just because you have West Point on your resume it doesn't mean it will follow that you're a leader.

[bathroommonkey76]

12. Ours was kicked out in 1997 for sexually assaulting a female officer. n/t

[coolsandy]

3. Well, their C-I-C now hates the WH. What can you expect?

God forbid that we should have a major conflict anywhere. Who would go into service for this man?

[Dustlawyer]

4. where is all of that budget money going if they cannot fix their ship?

We should not have this thing operational if it has the mechanical issues.

As for the survey, it should be obvious there is a problem but the leadership seems afraid of hurting this Captain's career to take any action.

[sarge43]

14. They kinda did take action. Being an a-hole is not UCMJ offense.

The survey was authorized. The results may or may not have been a surprise.

The results were made public. Usually unless the results are 99% positive, they're kept quiet.

Now the whole USN knows what Aycock is - persona non grata. None of the flags want him in their command.

So he's shuffled to non command paper pushing job - equiv to painting rocks for enlisted - in a unit that no one gives a bilge rat about. He'll stay there as a four striper until he puts in his retirement papers.

No star for you, a-hole.

[sarge43]

6. The floggings will continue until morale improves.

Aycock checked off every command mistake. Another disaster waiting to happen.

[lpbk2713]

8. I learned one of my most valuable life lessons while in the Navy.

Last edited Thu Oct 12, 2017, 09:13 AM - Edit history (1)

Never trust authority.

I served under people like this. The other officers were
just as bad when they chose to just look away.

[roomtomove]

9. Sounds like Captain Queeg is in charge.

[whathehell]

10. My thoughts as well..

Mutiny on the bounty.

[bathroommonkey76]

11. ....

* The Caine Mutiny

[Paladin]

13. Morale would be better if they still made war ships with portholes.

But seriously, it sounds like that creepy captain needs to be relieved of duty, immediately.