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A4 U.S. NEWS
Monday 8 July 2019

Admiral to lead Navy instead will retire; bad judgment cited

By ROBERT BURNS for combat and other roles. to discuss sensitive details.
AP National Security Writer Moran had been vetted Spencer provided no de-
WASHINGTON (AP) — The for promotion to the top tails about the unnamed in-
four-star admiral set to be- uniformed position in the dividual, but other officials
come the Navy’s top officer Navy, nominated by Presi- said Spencer was referring
on Aug. 1 will instead retire, dent Donald Trump and to Moran having recently
an extraordinary downfall confirmed by the Senate taken public affairs coun-
prompted by what Navy in May to succeed Adm. sel from Chris Servello, who
Secretary Richard Spen- John Richardson as chief of was removed from his posi-
cer on Sunday called poor naval operations and as a tion as public affairs adviser
judgment regarding a pro- member of the Joint Chiefs to Richardson in 2017 and
fessional relationship. of Staff. Instead, Moran given a non-punitive letter
The sudden move by Adm. said in a written statement of reprimand for drinking
William Moran may add to Sunday evening that he and fraternizing with junior
the perception of turmoil told Spencer he decided officers during and after
in the Pentagon’s senior In this Dec. 1, 2018 file photo, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, to decline his appointment a December 2016 Navy
ranks, coming less than a Adm. William Moran describes the function of the USS Thomas as the next chief of naval Christmas party.
month after Pat Shanahan Hudner prior to its commissioning ceremony in Boston. operations and requested Servello was accused of
abruptly withdrew from Associated Press to be allowed to retire. making unwanted sexual
consideration to be de- military services, both civil- in the chain of military com- “As painful as it is to sub- passes while dressed as
fense secretary after serv- ian and uniformed, play mand. But they are respon- mit my request to retire, I Santa at the party. No
ing as the acting secretary less critical roles in national sible for ensuring that the will not be an impediment charges were filed against
for six months. security than the defense armed forces are trained, whatsoever to the impor- him. He retired from the
Leaders of the individual secretary, and they are not equipped and prepared tant service that you and Navy last May at the rank
your families continue to of commander. Servello
render the nation every had previously worked for
day,” Moran wrote. Moran as a public affairs
Spencer said his vision for officer.In an interview Sun-
the Navy includes “an ur- day evening, Servello said
gent resolve by all” to live he was aware of Moran’s
up to high standards. decision to retire.
“Adm. Bill Moran recently Moran said his decision to
brought to my attention decline his appointment
that over the past two and to instead retire was
years he maintained a pro- based also on what he
fessional relationship with called an open investiga-
an individual who was held tion into “the nature of
accountable and coun- some of my personal email
seled for failing to meet the correspondence over the
values and standards of the past couple of years.” He
Naval profession,” Spencer also cited the Servello re-
said in a written statement lationship, without using his
Sunday evening. “While I name.
admire his faithful service “To be clear,” Moran add-
and commitment to the ed, “my decision to main-
Navy, this decision on his tain this relationship was in
part to maintain that re- no way an endorsement or
lationship has caused me tacit approval of” the kind
to call his judgment into of misconduct that Servello
question. Therefore, today was disciplined for. “I un-
I accepted Adm. Moran’s derstand how toxic it can
request to retire.” be to any team when in-
Senior Navy officials said appropriate behavior goes
Spencer learned of this unrecognized and un-
relationship only after Mo- checked. Every Sailor is en-
ran’s Senate confirmation titled to serve in an environ-
in May. The officials spoke ment free of harassment or
on condition of anonymity intimidation.”q