The Rise and Fall of a Female Captain Bligh

[RamboLiberal]

Women are so common in the upper ranks of the U.S. military these days that it's no longer news when they break through another barrier. Unfortunately, the latest benchmark isn't one to brag about: being booted as captain of a billion-dollar warship for "cruelty and maltreatment" of her 400-member crew. According to the Navy inspector general's report that triggered her removal — and the accounts of officers who served with her — Captain Holly Graf was the closest thing the U.S. Navy had to a female Captain Bligh.

A Navy admiral stripped Graf of her command of the Japan-based guided missile cruiser U.S.S. Cowpens in January. The just-released IG report concludes that Graf "repeatedly verbally abused her crew and committed assault" and accuses her of using her position as commander of the Cowpens "for personal gain." But old Navy hands tell TIME that those charges, substantiated in the IG report, came about because of the poisonous atmosphere she created aboard her ship.

The case has attracted wide notice inside the Navy and on Navy blogs, where her removal has generated cheers from those who had served with her since she graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985. While many denounced Graf, even greater anger seems directed at the Navy brass for promoting such an officer to positions of ever-increasing responsibility. Graf declined an interview request.

While in command at sea — where a captain's word is law and she or he has the power to make or break careers — Graf swore like, well, a sailor. She "creates an environment of fear and hostility frequently humiliates and belittles watch standers by screaming at them with profanities in front of the Combat Information Center and bridge-watch teams," a crew member told the IG. According to 29 of the 36 crew members who were questioned for the Navy's report, Graf repeatedly dropped F bombs on them. "Take your goddam attitude and shove it up your f______ ass and leave it there," she allegedly told an officer during a stressful maneuver aboard the 567-ft., 10,000-ton vessel.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1969602-1,00.html#ixzz0hjLm157z

Sounds like they could remake The Caine Mutiny with a female lead based on this Captain - glad the Navy finally relieved her of command.

[Faygo Kid]

1. It was the strawberries.

She's nuts. But thanks for the reminder about "The Caine Mutiny." If only a young Paul Newman had played Ensign Keith, it would be considered one of the top 10 greatest movies of all time.

As it is, one of my favorites.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

3. If only, indeed.

Of course, the actor that actually played Keith died tragically the following year, and never really got the chance to make a further mark.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0290295/bio

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. SOunds like she deserved to be booted.

[Cid_B]

4. Nothing wrong with a few f-bombs...

However, railing your senior NCOs and junior officers in public, especially in front of jr enlisted is just flippin' wrong. Something about having 'em stand in the corner (a la dunce cap) came out as well.

How do you expect anyone to take them or her seriously after that?!

No one would ever accuse me of being a touchy feely officer (EVER) but damn ...