via DVIDS.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S. D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan - Effective May 20, 2014, Lt. Gen. John Wissler, commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force, has accepted the request for early and immediate termination of command of 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from Col. John E. Merna.Read this guys bio here. Hurry up before they take it down.
Merna, a combat veteran and a widely respected leader, recognized his incompatibility to continue leading the 31st MEU, accepted responsibility and accountability for his actions, and immediately tendered a letter requesting termination of his command authority and responsibility.
Wissler's decision was based on the initial results of a preliminary inquiry and command climate survey within the 31st MEU Command Element. The preliminary inquiry substantiated the initial allegations and indicated a pattern of intemperate behavior and language by the commanding officer which created a hostile work environment in the 31st MEU headquarters. Wissler has lost trust and confidence in Merna's ability to effectively continue in command and has endorsed Merna's acceptance of responsibility and his request to immediately relinquish command. Wissler has appointed the 31st MEU Executive Officer, Lt. Col. G. Troy Roesti, as interim commander.
Wissler will make a final determination on any additional appropriate actions based upon a detailed review of the completed preliminary inquiry and associated command climate survey.
The Marine Corps holds all Marines, but especially commanders, responsible and accountable for their actions and the actions of those they lead, and is committed to maintaining complete accountability and responsibility by commanders in upholding the highest standards of conduct at every level.
My question is simple.
Since when did the Marine Corps start taking surveys to determine whether an officer was a good leader or not? Most of your "popular" leaders lead bullshit units that aren't fit to take out the trash. If you're popular then you're not doing your fucking job.
Colonel Merna fell on his sword and I'm hoping General Wissler isn't under order to crush him, but consider this.
What is a hostile work environment if your operating environment is the chaos and confusion of combat? The Marine Corps is fundamentally changing...and for the worse. The days of the hard charging Marine Officer is over....and people will die because of it.
31st MEU has been busy lately as seen here. For contrast, see an interview with General Wissler here.
ReplyDeleteI served with the guy in 2/3. The only thing I ever saw him guilty of was being a Marine. He was a hard charger and that may have rubbed people the wrong way. I wasn't in his company, but he always treated us well when we did exercises together. They are making the Marine Corps into a bunch of PC wusses.
ReplyDeleteSince they initiated the litmus test. The main question; would he shoot U.S. citizens.
ReplyDeleteIdiocy.
DeleteJust served with the Col Merna on the 31st MEU CE staff last year. Learned more about leadership from him than anyone...ever! He led from the front and NEVER took the easy way around things. He LOVED his Marines and demanded that we officers hold ourselves to an even higher level. I am very disappointed on a number of levels with our beloved institution.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of bullshit. The Bio has already been replaced with the new CO.
ReplyDeletei knew they'd be quick about it. the guy was loved and respected by Marines that behave like Marines. non-hackers and those that want special treatment do like they always do. they bitch and whine. in the not so old Corps they would have been laughed out the building, today, they get heard and good, hard core Marines get shit canned.
Deletethats what happens when you put a pussy in charge of the Marine Corps.