How the hell is Ronny Jackson still in the Navy?

[Siwsan]

Listening to these reports, someone must have intervened! From what I've seen in the documents released, Jackson actually received his promotion AFTER this report was released.

I became a part of an IG report when I was stationed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. We had a Captain who was a blatant racist/sexist. The personnel in the department, both officer and enlisted, was predominantly either female or a racial 'minority' so this was a big problem. One startling example was when he took the male officers out on a fishing trip. He handed everyone, but one, a fishing rod. He assigned the Chinese/American officer to manning the refreshment bar. Both morale and re-enlistments, in the department, were non-existent.

Only two enlisted personnel agreed to speak to the Admiral conducting the inspection, and I was one of them. Complaining to each other achieved nothing but venting. Talking to the Admiral might make a difference but if it didn't, at least I could say I tried. And because actions DO speak louder than just words, it worked. His pathway to advancement evaporated, and he ended up retiring.

I guess Ronny is lucky to have a pleasant personality and friends in high places.

[riversedge]

1. This is similiar to the #metoo movement and calling out the offenders. People are afraid

to speak out. Abuses go on and on. Time will tell if someone has had the courage to speak out about Jackson's behavior (alleged).

[madaboutharry]

2. Incompetents protect each other.

There must have been people around him and people above him who were equally incompetent and compromised. They form their own bubble of protection and cover up for each other. Sadly, it is often the most flawed who rise to the top. It seems to have worked that way since the beginning of time.

[notdarkyet]

9. They dont want to turn on their drug dealer.

[True Blue American]

19. They also get promotions

CYA!

[hlthe2b]

3. I'd bet it would not be the case had this been an officer who was

other than a white male well versed in the ways of "charming" superiors. Certainly not for a woman, POC, or LGBT.
Or, non-Christian. Our military is slowly changing but white male Christian privilege remains strong.

[Phoenix61]

4. I wondered the same thing

Just a guess, but he and those who served under him were physically isolated from his military command. They certainly weren't going to complain to the president about his behavior. They didn't have a personal relationship with anyone else in his chain. "Complaining" about a superior can backfire in a big way. They sometimes cover for one another. I worked in a military mental health clinic. Unlike most that are located in the hospital we were not. We got a bat shit crazy commander. No one in the hospital saw what she did and the military folks under her were afraid to report her. Eventually a civilian did but it took a long time and she did a lot of damage during the time she was there.

[Siwsan]

8. I've had the misfortune to work under the command of several aberrant Captains

The one I wrote about in my original post was a miscreant. There was another, at the same clinic, who was just an over the top egotist who took great joy in degrading people in front of others. I reached my breaking point, with him, and vented to the senior enlisted petty officer, who assured me it was just between us. He then went to the Captain and told him everything I said.

SOOOO, I got called into the Captain's office for a face to face which, to my shock and surprise, ended very well. I told him, "with all due respect" exactly what I thought about how he treated people. He said he was shocked that I had the nerve to say what I said, but also told me he respected my honesty. He then came as close to apologizing as he was capable of doing. From that day on, if he needed my help with something, he was always on his best behavior. Apparently nobody, especially nobody in the enlisted ranks, had ever called him out, before. I lucked out, with that one. It's just hard for me to hold my tongue.

Oh - and when I was in "A" School, the Captain in charge used to film porn films in the clinic, after hours. Can't forget that gem. It was discovered when someone popped a training video cassette into the player. He had taped a training film over one of his old home made porn tapes, but the porn outlasted the training film.

I really only had one CO who wasn't a concern. My lack of confidence in the "upper brass" was one of my reasons for not re-enlisting.

[Phoenix61]

14. My CO was close to retirement.

They decided to let her stay in but she was not allowed to supervise any active duty personal. I guess they thought GS had enough job protection she couldn't screw with them. The contractors were on their own. I thought a lot more of the military before I worked for them. When I was much younger I had thought about enlisting. Now I know I'd still be in Levenworth if I had. Keeping my mouth shut has never been my strong suit and tolerating stupid is just out of the question. I'm older and wiser now but.. let's just say I'm glad I didn't choose that career path.

[Siwsan]

17. I'm surprised I didn't pay a price for my honesty

I really only remember one really good Captain. He was transferred to the clinic at the embassy in London. I liked him so much that when I was in town, just before I ended my enlistment, I stopped in to visit him.

We did have a great Admiral in charge of the base in Iceland. Just after I arrived, the temperatures went into the 70's, and the ever present wind died down. Admiral Martini decided everyone should enjoy the weather so he pretty much shut down everything but the critical departments and told everyone to get out side and have fun.

He also sanctioned what I think was the only co-ed barracks, in the military. I lived in it. The 2nd floor was supposed to be for females but when I arrived there were no rooms available so I was put up on the 3rd floor. There was never a single incident or trouble, the whole year I was there. We would all gather in the big TV lounge, every night, and watch Armed Forced Television, talk, play cards, what ever. Of course there were the occasional hook-ups, but nobody ever complained about anyone else's behavior.

That situation was squashed by the next Admiral in charge.

[FarCenter]

5. If he was good, wouldn't he have left and gone into civilian practice?

[Siwsan]

11. I've known some amazing doctors and dentists who were 'regular Navy'

However, most were just serving to fulfill an educational commitment. I guess it all depends on what drives you.

[FarCenter]

23. The one I knew left for private practice after fulfilling his commitment, but stayed in the reserve.

I don't think Navy compensation compared with private practice, although the latter is declining now.

Maybe those who stay are motivated by the "power" of command. Hence the political games playing and maltreatment of subordinates.

[Siwsan]

25. Some of them truly want to serve their country.

I served with them. Admittedly, some also got off on the power trip - definitely a couple of the Captains I dealt with did. Some maybe thought they might not make it in civilian practice.

But I also worked with some amazingly talented men and women who enjoyed their work and the camaraderie. I've worked my profession in both civilian and military life, and despite the rules, regulations, and stress that goes hand in hand with being in the military, I learned the most and took the greatest satisfaction from my time spent in the Navy. There are times I regret not staying but, at the time, it wasn't the best option for me.

[genxlib]

6. I have been wondering as well

Your question about still being in the Navy is valid but I would go further.

How is this person the attending physician for the President. That is arguably one of the top post for Military Medical professionals.

The scrutiny of a person like that would have to be beyond anything needed to simply be a Medical Officer elsewhere in the Military.

Aside from that, I assume this position would need Top Secret Clearance. How does someone with these skeletons in his closet pass the background check?

[True Blue American]

20. From what I heard this morning

The giving pills has gone on for a long time. Probably more blatant in the last year.

Jackson’ lying about trump being in perfect health showed what Jackson was.

[genxlib]

22. That helps explain why Trump might like him

It doesn't explain how he got that job and kept it during the Bush and Obama Administrations.

[True Blue American]

26. I agree

Was surprised to hear that.

Explains little sleep and tweeting rants, especially on weekends.

[47of74]

28. Maybe he became Fornicate Faces supplier.

[Scarsdale]

7. His gushing review

of tRump's physical was stomach churning. "Great genes" "could live to be 200" God forbid. Maybe he was drunk when he examined the orange ass, or just read from the notes tRump wrote for him, same as the other doctor?

[Siwsan]

13. That's when I sensed some quid pro quo might be in the air

So this nomination came as absolutely no surprise.

[brooklynite]

10. No, No, he's just living up to naval tradition...

The British Navy gave all working sailors a daily "rum ration" up until 1970. New Zealand continued the tradition until 1990.

[Siwsan]

12. I've been to cocktail parties on both an Australian Navy Frigate and British Air Craft Carrier

The HMAS Yarro and the HMS Illustrious. They were both in active duty. The Illustrious stopped at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on its way back to England from the Falklands War. I still have my invitation to that little gathering. I remember being saluted, as I came on board.

This was in the 80's. Both ships had small pubs, and served some truly lovely drinks.

Strangely, those were the only active duty Naval ships I've ever been on. Not once, during my enlistment, was I ever on an active duty American vessel.

[FailureToCommunicate]

21. AND limes to ward off scurvy. Hence the term Limeys for Brit sailors. Also spawned some

awsome drinks, like...

Captain Peobody's Punch

https://www.peabody.harvard.edu/node/932#peabody

[BobTheSubgenius]

16. You'd think the military would be a meritocracy.

But you'd be wrong, apparently. Favourites are played, grudges abound and are acted upon, when possible.

[DeminPennswoods]

18. The Navy culture has changed over the years

When I began my civilian federal career in the mid-70s, it was SOP for both civilians and military to beat a path to the O Club as soon as the Friday workday was done. It was seen as a way to rub elbows and grease the skids to potential promotions. There were plenty of "liquid lunches", too. When I retired a couple decades later, none of that was seen as appropriate except for retirement luncheons or promotion parties.

As for the drugs, Tester said it was sleep and wake up aids during travel. This, apparently, is something that's gone on for years regardless of who the WH doc was.

The treatment of subordinates doesn't surprise me. The majority of flag officers I've had occassion to know were pretty snotty and dismissive of underlings. There were a couple who treated their aides, usually O-2 or O-3s, like personal servants.

[Siwsan]

24. I have wondered if my experience with an IG report was an exception, rather than the rule

I'd like to think I participated, regardless of whether or not I was planning on re-enlisting. It is a little daunting to know what you are doing could have life altering consequences for you or someone else.

The one thing that has always stood out, in my memory was the way that I, and my opinions/observations were treated with utmost respect and I felt they found me to be totally credible. I'm pretty damn good at picking up on when someone is being condescending, and that wasn't even a fleeting feeling.

I still have very fond memories of the vast majority of officers that I encountered, from the LTJG to the Commanders. Even a Captain and Admiral, or two. The Medical/Dental Corps always seemed to have a close camaraderie between officer and enlisted because we worked as a team to help people. It's hard to relieve suffering if you, yourself, are suffering.

The crappy Captains I worked with apparently had forgotten that little fact.

[DeminPennswoods]

36. I worked with some excellent officers, but

I also found that a lot of them had no use for playing the kind of butt-kissing and politics it took to get promoted so they got out when their enlistment was up. It was sad because the Navy and Marine Corps missed out on men and women who would've made outstanding senior/flag officers.

I got a chuckle out of the "climate survey" the IG report cited. You could have substituted the name of my old command and the results would have been the same. All the employees liked their jobs, thought they were worthwhile and took pride in doing them. At the same time, management was seen as dumb and out of touch, to be kind.

[RockRaven]

27. Once Trump finally has to give up and cut him loose,

Repubs will start an investigation into why the whole thing is Obama's fault.

[3catwoman3]

29. There are plenty of senior officers who are schmucks.

Not all, by any means, but enough to know that achieving higher rank is not solely due to being outstanding at your job.

My second 2 years in the Air Force nurse corps, I was stationed in Japan. We had a small pediatric clinic - 2 pediatricians and me, the nurse practitioner. The senior officer was a Lt Col, who had come in from many years in private practice, and was given that rank upon entry. He was a really shitty doctor, both in attitude and diagnostic skills. It was rumored that he had joined the military to avoid some problems that were going on with his private practice.

One time, as I was about to depart on a 5 city tour of Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, and a couple cities in Malaysia, he asked me if I would be willing to meet up with a contact of his and take possession of a Buddha statue that he had arranged to have smuggled out of Burma and bring it to him. Quite illegal. I told him no way would I do that. I was shocked that he would ask me to put myself at risk that way.

No one liked him. Not the parents. Not the other doctors. Not even the hospital commander.

Guess what - He got promoted to full colonel.

[Siwsan]

30. Damn!

Not quite as skeevy as the Captain I knew who was using "A" school students in the amateur porn he was filming at the school clinic, but yikes!

[3catwoman3]

33. A few months ago, I googled him...

...and found his obituary. I wasn't sorry to know he was not around anymore.

[UTUSN]

31. Your wonderful O.P. answered its own question, and as a sailor/vet myself there's a reason for the

phrase, "drunken sailor"...

[Siwsan]

32. It is just sad

This guy may have mad skills, as a physician, but along with alcohol, he seems to have gotten drunk on the idea of fame and power.

[UTUSN]

34. Well, over the past 45 years after my USN enlistment, having occasional nostalgia, I've been

disappointed A LOT over most of the Navy vets who have turned out to be raging wingnuts. Back in '04, I had found a web-ring of my very own shipmates from my Vietnam ship, and for the first few months the topics were about catching up on old times, but all too soon it all devolved into their attacking John KERRY and their circulating wingnut chain propaganda. At first I did some debating with them but I hate to argue and long ago realized that contentious people will never be converted, so I NOT-sadly told them all to go to Hades and left. Then there is the Art BELL wanna-Be/NEVER-be George NOORY who is BFF with the SwiftBoat ghost writer Jerome CORSI, and any number of other ex-USNers who are wingnuts.

Whoa, I'm way off topic, but those two (or multiple?) negligent ship collisions last year, plus the Tailhook shenanigans of decades ago, suggest that Admiral Ronny's behaviors aren't that unheard of in the USN.

[samir.g]

35. This is what we've come to expect from the military

It just used to be kept hidden from view.