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The Navy's top enlisted sailor will 'step aside' amid an investigation into allegations of abusive behavior
US Army Sgt. James K. McCann
And he’s outta here: The Navy’s senior enlisted leader is retiring amid an investigation into allegations that he is an abusive boss and a bad leader.
“I seek to avoid any distraction from the success of our sailors and our mission,” Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven Giordano wrote in a message posted on the Navy’s Facebook page. “I have informed the chief of naval operations that I intend to step aside and submit my retirement request, in order to allow the CNO, our CPO [chief petty officer] mess, and our sailors to continue to move forward with the initiatives we have begun.”
Task & Purpose was unable to determine by deadline whether Giordano’s departure was entirely voluntary. A spokesman for Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson could not be immediately reached for comment.
Two days ago, Navy spokesman Cmdr. William Speaks confirmed that Giordano had taken leave but he had no information about how long the MCPON would be away from his duties.
US Navy/Mass Comm Specialist 1st Class Gilbert Bolibol
Navy Times first reported on June 15 that Giordano was being investigated by the Navy’s inspector general office after a sailor filed a complaint that he fosters a hostile work environment. More than a dozen sailors who have worked for Giordano told the newspaper that the MCPON is obsessed with perks and has pushed his staff to ask the Navy to give him his own set of fine China.
One sailor who had been a member of Giordano’s staff told Navy Times that the MPCON believes he should have a chief petty officer assigned to carry his cover and personal and take notes for him. “It was like working for a pop star or Hollywood diva,” the sailor told the newspaper on condition of anonymity.
Giordano became MCPON on Sept. 2, 2016. He did not mention any of the specific allegations against him in his farewell letter.
“To our sailors, keep leading yourself, your families and our Navy as authentic, competent and courageous people,” he wrote in the message. “Elka and I leave secure in knowing that you have the watch. We are honored to have served alongside each of you. Our Navy is in the best of hands. God bless you, your families, and our entire Navy.”
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