The command master chief of the Pearl Harbor-based guided-missile destroyer Michael Murphy has been relieved amid allegations of misconduct and poor command climate issues.
Cmdd.CDR. Cmdr. Todd E. Hutchison, the Murphy's commanding officer, fired made the relief of Command Master Chief (SW/IDW) Adrian McCown on Oct. 2 due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead. The decision was based on the preliminary findings of an ongoing command investigation.
"That investigation is still being conducted and therefore no further details are available about the nature of the misconduct," said Lt. Rebecca Haggard, a spokeswoman for Navy Surface Forces.
Haggard said she wasn't sure how long it would take to complete the investigation would take to be completed but that McCown has only been relieved pending the outcome of that command probe.
Preliminary findings of an investigation aboard the destroyer Michael Murphy uncovered a poor command climate.
Photo Credit: MC2 Dustin W. Sisco/Navy
McCown has been temporarily reassigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific. He's been temporarily replaced as the Murphy's senior enlisted adviser by Master Chief Fire Controlman (SW) Jamison Meyer until a permanent relief can be identified.
The Michael Murphy is currently in port in Hawaii.
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
