Navy Fires Commander of Leadership and Ethics Center Over Personal Conduct

Oh, the irony.

In a move that has raised eyebrows across the naval community, the U.S. Navy has relieved Captain Lester Brown Jr. of his duties as commanding officer of the Navy Leadership and Ethics Command (NLEC) San Diego. The dismissal, announced on November 6, 2024, comes after just over two years in the position for Brown, who assumed command in September 2022.

The Firing

Captain Shawn T. Bailey of the Naval Ethics and Leadership Center made the decision to relieve Brown, citing the standard “loss of confidence in his ability to command.” This phrase is routinely used by the military when removing commanders from their positions, often leaving room for speculation about the underlying reasons. A Navy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Brown’s relief stemmed from a matter of personal conduct, which had been the subject of a command investigation. Importantly, the official noted that the conduct in question did not involve allegations that would have directly impacted another sailor.

About NLEC San Diego

The Navy Leadership and Ethics Command San Diego plays a crucial role in shaping the future leaders of the Navy. It is responsible for providing training and education for officers who have not yet assumed command positions and courses for the Navy’s enlisted leader development (ELD) program. It prepared the “command triad” – master chiefs/chiefs of the boat, executive officers, and commanding officers, for leadership success. 

The irony of a leadership and ethics school commander being relieved of duty has not been lost on many observers. SOFREP will continue to follow this story and report back on whatever type of untoward “personal conduct” Captain Brown had supposedly been involved with. 

Brown’s Naval Career

• Captain Brown, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, had a distinguished career prior to this incident: Served aboard various ships, including USS Anchorage, USS Sides, and USS Patriot.
• Chief engineer aboard the cruiser USS Philippine Sea
• Executive officer and commanding officer of the destroyer USS McFaul
• Director of the Fleet Command Center under U.S. Fleet Forces Command
• Worked with the Lessons Learned Division at the Navy’s Warfare Development Command

His decorations included five Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, and two Navy Achievement Medals, among other awards.

Capt. Lester Brown, Jr., was removed from his position due to a “loss of confidence in his ability to command.” https://t.co/pDS6jK1jRd

— Military Times (@MilitaryTimes) November 6, 2024

Aftermath and Implications

Following his relief, Brown was reassigned to the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Captain Richard Zeber from the Naval Leadership and Ethics Center in Newport has been temporarily assigned to lead the San Diego command.

This incident marks at least the 15th firing of a commanding officer in the Navy this year due to a “loss of confidence“ out of approximately 1,600 commanding officers in the active-duty Navy. The frequency of such reliefs raises questions about the selection and oversight processes for leadership positions within the Navy.

As the Navy continues to emphasize the importance of ethical leadership, the removal of a commander from a school dedicated to these very principles is a reminder of the high standards expected of those in command positions. It also underscores the challenges faced by the Navy in maintaining these standards across its leadership ranks.

The Navy has not provided further details about the specific conduct that led to Brown’s relief, maintaining its usual discretion in such matters. However, this incident is likely to prompt discussions within naval circles about leadership, accountability, and the systems in place to ensure that those entrusted with shaping future naval leaders are themselves beyond reproach.