Poor leadership has cost a second leader his job this year aboard attack submarine has again struck onboard the fast attack Oklahoma City as the fast attack submarine’s chief of the boat was sacked July 27 for his inability to lead his sailors.
The firing of Master Chief Machinist's Mate (Weapons) Joseph H. Decker, OKC's chief of the boat, was removed Wednesday from his job on the Guam-based boat due to poor leadership. He was canned by the boat’s skipper, Cmdr. Patrick Friedman. Decker’s relief was made by
"He was relieved for a consistent pattern of ineffective leadership at the deckplate level," Cmdr. Corey Barker, a Submarine Force Pacific spokesman, said Wednesday Wednesday told Navy Times July 27. "Master Chief Decker was not relieved for misconduct."
Decker, who took over as COB in April 2015, is the seventh submarine leader fired from his post this year.
Barker characterized Decker’s relief as "administrative in nature" but also said he has been temporarily reassigned and that hefaces "further administrative actions," though Barker was not at liberty to discuss what those actions could be.
"He has been temporarily reassigned to Submarine Squadron 15, also in Guam, and what his future in the Navy will be is under discussion at this time," Barker said.
The top enlisted on attack submarine Oklahoma City was fired Wednesday for what officials called ineffective leadership. The boat entered a floating dry dock in San Diego in May.
Photo Credit: MC3 Derek A. Harkins/Navy
In January, Decker's CO On Jan. 6, then OKC skipper and Decker’s boss at the time, Cmdr. Mike Conner, was relieved "for deficiencies in his leadership and proficiency in command."
Senior Chief Fire Control Technician Brandon Edmiston from Submarine Squadron 11 has assumed the responsibilities as OKC's chief of boat for the USS Oklahoma City.
A 24-year Navy veteran, Decker enlisted in the Navy in September, 1991 and has served four underway tours on three separate fast attack submarines, including the Chicago, two tours onboard the Jefferson City and the Oklahoma City. Decker could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday.
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.
