Norfolk, Va. – Today, officials announced that the executive officer and command master chief of the USS Jason Dunham have both been relieved of duty.
Cmdr. Kenneth Rice, the executive officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer Stephen Vandergrifft, the CMC, were found guilty during separate non-judicial punishment proceedings officials say.
They say this came as a result of their inappropriate responses to reports of hazing conduct which includes their failure to notify the commanding officer about the hazing allegations.
Officials say the incident happened back on October 15th. They say it involved a chief petty officer who directed 19 enlisted women sailors to take human waste out of two toilets that were not working without sufficient proper personal protective equipment.
They say the officer then led 13 of the sailors down the pier to get rid of the waste in portable toilets.
Officials say the commanding officer was unaware of the incident initially but took appropriate action after he was notified on Oct. 21st.
Other crewmembers on the USS Jason Dunham who were involved were found in violation of UCMJ articles.
