[Newsbot]

Title: Lt. Derek de Jong won't be demoted after desertion guilty plea
Category: Military
Posted By: Regina
Date: 2014-05-07 07:38:31
Canadian

[Regina]

Do any of our local Dock Apes have any insight into this? This seems pretty weird to me.

[Jabberwalker]

It is certainly a "workplace" issue with the difference being the overlay of military law. From what I've read about the harassment that this guy experienced on the Preserver, it sounds like the X.O. lost control of his crew and it never should have come to that. The X.O. wasn't the one on trial but his management competence should be examined. I suspect that they didn't pitch this young Jimmy out for something like that reason. Yeah, yeah. Everyone is supposed to be a "tough guy" in the military but there is no excuse for workplace bullying, anywhere. A warship is a tight, enclosed community and that sort of poisonous atmosphere should have been nipped in the bud. It could be seriously dangerous to everybody on board if the crew can't rely on each other in an emergency.

[Jabberwalker]

Here is a link to an earlier story about him that gives a bit of background.

http://www.canadaka.net/link.php?id=83560

[Regina]

I know what happened, just thought it was weird and maybe someone here knew more detail or the personalities involved.

[Nuggie77]

Well if anything positive comes from this is that his career progression will be stopped. Severe reprimands is the death of a naval officer's career. Add the fact that desertion will be on his conduct sheet and he will never see the lofty heights of LCdr. Thank fuck!!

[Jabberwalker]

As I said, the career of the X.O. of the Preserver may be in jeopardy as well. All of this is his responsibility and that they didn't drum this guy out suggests that the young officer may have had a real grievance.

[Goober911]

He should not have left the ship- that is a career death sentence as mentioned. Taken thru Military channels, but the XO is also toast. As JW states ships are tight knit, small numbers, same with 1st line Army units. Now what happens to those other Officer(s) should at the min be a Severe Reprimand, and up in the air on this last one but dropped a rank???

[Jabberwalker]

He should not have left the ship

Absolutely. That is the crime ... or his failure to return is, at any rate.

Is there a Naval Reserve armory in Nunavut that he might be posted to? One thing is for sure, he won't be setting foot on any more ships. No one will want him.