Head Coast Guard Chaplain Removed Due To Knowledge of Sexual Misconduct

In April 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard made the decision to relieve its top chaplain, Navy Capt. Daniel Mode from his duties due to a “loss of confidence” in his leadership abilities. This action stemmed from Mode’s failure to appropriately address known pre-service sexual misconduct by another chaplain, highlighting the critical importance of accountability and ethical conduct within military leadership.

Captain Mode’s Career and Contributions

Capt. Mode, an ordained Catholic priest, had been serving as the Chaplain of the Coast Guard since 2022. His military career began in 1988 as a chaplain candidate, and he was ordained in 1992 in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. Over the years, Mode held various pastoral roles and served in both the Navy Reserve and active duty. His assignments included positions at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Marine Corps Base Quantico, and deployments aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Notably, he authored “The Grunt Padre,” a biography of Father Vincent Capodanno, a Navy chaplain who received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.

In Mode’s leadership role, he oversaw 50 active duty and reserve Navy chaplains and over 90 auxiliary chaplains.

Leadership Failure and Investigation Findings

The incident leading to Mode’s dismissal involved his inaction upon learning of sexual misconduct committed by another chaplain prior to that individual’s military service. An administrative investigation concluded that Mode’s failure to act demonstrated a lapse in judgment inconsistent with the expectations of his senior leadership role. While his conduct did not violate any laws or policies necessitating punitive measures, it represented a significant failure in leadership.

In response to these findings, the Coast Guard reassigned Mode to the Navy Chaplain Corps, assigning him duties outside the Coast Guard. Capt. Richard Ryan, the chaplain for the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area, temporarily assumed the position of Chaplain of the Coast Guard until a permanent replacement could be appointed.

This event occurred amid broader scrutiny of the Coast Guard’s handling of sexual misconduct cases. In 2023, Operation Fouled Anchor revealed decades of unaddressed sexual assault and harassment cases within the Coast Guard Academy, uncovering 60 substantiated incidents that had often been inadequately investigated or prosecuted. This led to increased pressure on the service to enforce higher standards of accountability and transparency.

Operation Fouled Anchor was an internal investigation launched by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2014 to examine past sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. The investigation revealed a troubling history of sexual misconduct and institutional failures dating back to the late 1980s. It uncovered numerous incidents of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, many of which were either unreported or ignored by Academy leadership. This lack of action allowed some offenders to rise to prominent positions within the Coast Guard and other military branches.

The investigation substantiated years of sexual misconduct at the Academy and exposed a pattern of victims’ complaints being systematically disregarded or, in some cases, actively covered up. Despite credible evidence, most alleged perpetrators were not criminally investigated at the time of the incidents. Although the Coast Guard completed the Fouled Anchor investigation in 2020, it withheld its findings from Congress and the public until 2023, when CNN began reporting on the issue.

The decision to keep the findings hidden has drawn widespread criticism, with nearly 70 Coast Guard veterans calling on senators to require all leaders involved in the cover-up to testify under oath. The scandal has led to congressional investigations and hearings, during which Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan committed to improving the reporting and prevention of sexual assault across the service. Operation Fouled Anchor has exposed systemic issues in how the Coast Guard handles sexual misconduct, leading to demands for greater transparency, accountability, and reform.

In the wake of this massive investigation, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, which oversees Catholic chaplains in the military, stated that Archbishop Timothy Broglio maintained confidence in Mode’s capabilities as a priest and chaplain. According to the Archdiocese, Mode reported the 2011 incident of sexual misconduct within hours of receiving documentation in 2022, ensuring that key Coast Guard personnel and chaplains were informed. However, Mode acknowledged that he mistakenly assumed his initial report would be more broadly communicated and recognized his failure in leadership.

Broader Implications for the Coast Guard and Military Leadership

This case underscores the critical importance of vigilance and proactive leadership in addressing allegations of misconduct within the military. The Coast Guard’s decision to relieve a high-ranking chaplain reflects its commitment to upholding ethical standards and ensuring a safe environment for all service members. It serves as a reminder that leaders at all levels are accountable for their actions and inactions, especially concerning issues as serious as sexual misconduct.
The Coast Guard continues to emphasize the necessity for transparency and accountability. The service is actively working to rebuild trust and reinforce its commitment to the core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty. The removal of Capt. Mode from his position shows the Coast Guard’s dedication to addressing leadership failures and maintaining the integrity of its command structure.