Three top commanders of a US Navy Construction Battalion (SeaBee) unit were dismissed last week due to “a loss of confidence in their abilities” following an investigation.
The triad of officials overseeing Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 — commanding officer Capt. Jeffrey Lengkeek, executive office Cmdr. Michael Jarosz, and command master Chief Matthew Turner — were fired Friday, with the service citing a “loss of confidence in their abilities to effectively perform their leadership roles” in a press release.
Lt. Cmdr. Paul Newell, a spokesman for Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, told Navy Times that the three men’s ouster followed “a formal command investigation.”
“While the investigation remains open, we do not intend to take further disciplinary action against the triad members at this time,” Newell said.
It is unclear what prompted the investigation.
Lengkeek and Jarosz had served in their roles since July 2020, while Turner had been in his position since July 2019. The three have been reassigned to the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.
Temporary replacements for the three officers have been named and will serve until permanent relief is identified, according to the Navy.
The triad’s departures will have “no impact to the command’s mission or schedule,” the press release read.
Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 is located on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, Va., where they “provide ship-to-shore movement of maritime pre-position equipment ashore.” The battalion also provides camp support and operates bulk fuel/bulk water systems.
It is rare for an entire command to be relieved of their duties. However, it has happened multiple times in recent years.
In 2019, three top officers with San Diego-based SEAL Team 7 were fired for “loss of confidence” after the platoon was kicked out of Iraq over an alcohol-heavy Fourth of July party and sexual assault accusation, per the San Diego Union Tribune.
One year before, the command triad of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 was fired after the executive officer of the unit was found intoxicated and walking in the woods naked on the island of Okinawa, according to Navy Times.
In 2016, three top officers on the destroyer USS Bainbridge were fired following reports of sailors storing fireworks and gambling on board.
