THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 28, 1995 TAG: 9511280007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
Words cannot convey the anger I felt when reading and hearing reports of a drunken U.S. Navy chief petty officer fondling a female sailor. That his superiors sat by and did little compounds my outrage.
I've watched the Navy undergo a dramatic transformation since 1959 when I enlisted at age 17. During my 20 years of service I stood watch in engineering spaces, was stationed in foreign lands and was in combat on river-patrol boats in Vietnam. Now I'm a civil servant and an employee of the Navy. I feel that I've earned the right and have the responsibility to speak out.
I've watched the Navy change over the years and, for the most part, I like what I see. Today's sailors are well-educated, highly trained and well-qualified to do their job. They have a quality of life that surpasses the wildest dreams of their predecessors. Their equipment is superior. Their ships are well-maintained. They exude pride and confidence, both in themselves and in their shipmates. They have excellent leadership. One thing that they do have in common with my generation is the expectation of punishment for crew members who do wrong. There are a lot of us waiting.
The chief of naval operations is a no-nonsense guy and deserves the opportunity to straighten out this mess. He responded quickly. A stand down for training is appropriate. But prior to the stand down the chief and his abettors should face the consequences of their actions.
WILLIAM E. FERGUSON
U.S. Navy (ret.)
Virginia Beach, Nov. 11, 1995 by CNB