Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Navy officials are weighing whether to reinstate Capt. Brett Crozier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt commander who was fired after sending a plea outside his chain of command to get relief for a coronavirus spread on his ship.
Thomas Modly, then the acting Secretary of the Navy, fired Crozier and flew to Guam to address the ship’s crew, during which he made disparaging remarks about Crozier. After public outcry, Modly resigned.
Esper said Friday that “nothing is off the table” with regards to giving Crozier his post back, according to Military.com.
Esper said he has asked Navy leaders, including Acting Secretary James McPherson, to use a fair process in the case.
“What I look to do is hear from the chain of command,” Esper said. “My inclination is always to support the chain of command and to take their recommendations seriously.”
At least 10% of the Roosevelt crew has tested positive for coronavirus, as has Crozier himself.
Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Huynh