US Navy fires submarine chief for “poor leadership”

The U.S. Navy said it had relieved the chief of the boat (COB) of the Pearl Harbor-based fast attack submarine USS Columbia (SSN 771) of his duties March 2.

The Navy pointed out to “poor leadership” as the cause of the chief’s removal.

Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (Non-Nuclear, Submarine Auxiliary) Ruben P. Aguirre was removed from his position by Commander David Edgerton, USS Columbia commanding officer.

As key members of the command triad, chiefs of the boat are senior enlisted leaders of Navy submarine commands and have a great deal of responsibility for their unit’s assigned Sailors and their mission. They serve as senior advisors to a submarine commander.

They strengthen the chain of command by keeping the commanding officer aware of existing or potential issues of concern as well as procedures and practices which affect the mission, readiness, welfare and morale of the Sailors in the command.

Aguirre, who had been aboard Columbia since June 2015, has been administratively reassigned to Naval Submarine Support Command (NSSC) Pearl Harbor.

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