The command master chief of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12 was firedrelieved Jan. 23 for fraternization that occurred at a previous duty station.
Command Master Chief Petty Officer Bryan Bymer was removedlieved following nonjudicial punishment conducted by Cmdr. Ken Kleinschnittger, the unit's commanding officer. Bymer, who entered the Navy in 1992, admitted to the charges brought against him, officials said. He has been temporarily reassigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2. A new command master chief has yet to be named.
"While the incident in question took place prior to Master Chief Bymer assuming the role of command master chief at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12, the actions he admitted to fail to meet our core values of honor, courage and commitment and are contrary to the leadership example a CMC is expected to uphold," said Lt. Liza Dougherty, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 spokeswoman.
According to sources, the fraternization with a junior sailor occurred when Bymer was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 during a stint in temporary additional duty to Guam. Bymer was assigned to EODMU-12 late last year. The command became aware of the fraternization earlier this month, and the skipper took swift action.
Bymer is the first CMC fired this year and the second Navy leader. The first was is the Navy's second firing this year. Capt. John Nettleton, the head of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, who was removed unceremoniously fired for unspecified "misconduct" Jan. 21 amid a Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation.
Bymer entered the Navy in 1992; his official bio was not immediately available at the time of his firing on Friday.
