The top enlisted leader at a California naval aviation base was relieved this month after he crashed and damaged an ATV on base, Navy officials said.
Master Chief Jeremy J. Embree was relieved on May 1 and had been the command master chief of Naval Air Facility El Centro for 11 months, according to base spokesman Kristopher Haugh.
Embree crashed the ATV on March 10 and was found guilty of reckless driving at an administrative hearing in early April.
He received a punitive letter of reprimand as punishment, Haugh said in an email.
Haugh said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, but that “the investigation did not produce sufficient evidence to charge him with DUI.”
Embree’s successor has not been identified, Haugh said, and another chief is serving as senior enlisted leader until a relief is determined.
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Naval Air Facility El Centro sits about 15 minutes from the Mexican border.
Embree is at least the third command master chief to be fired this year, according to information provided by the Navy.
Master Chief Keith Lefebvre was relieved of his position with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 in January due to preliminary results of an ongoing Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation. Navy officials refused to provide further details on the case.
Master Chief Stephan J. Raniszewski was relieved from the future destroyer Thomas Hudner on April 5 and was administratively disciplined on charges that included indecent, drunken and disorderly conduct, Navy officials said.
Geoff is the managing editor of Military Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com.
