Navy officer, seven sailors disciplined in hazing incidents [View All]

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Seven sailors and the executive officer aboard the frigate USS Kauffman have been punished in connection with hazing of six crew members over two years, a Navy spokesman said Wednesday.

Four of the sailors were ordered discharged from the Navy following a shipboard admiral's mast - a nonjudicial but binding proceeding - conducted May 6 in the Persian Gulf, Lt. Cmdr. Charles Owens said.

The ship's executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Lawrence Wilson, was disciplined for knowing about the hazing and failing to report it to his commanding officer, Owens said. Wilson was reassigned temporarily, with a recommendation to the chief of naval personnel that he be removed from his position

The hazing incidents all took place while the frigate was in port and involved verbal and physical abuse, according to Owens. There was "some hitting," he said, and incidents such as taping sailors to chairs.