In a year marked by significant transitions within the U.S. Navy, a total of 12 commanding officers have been relieved of their duties as of 2024, according to exclusive information disclosed to Military.com by Navy sources. This figure encompasses not only the nine dismissals that were publicly acknowledged but also three additional cases that had previously gone unreported.

Among the lesser-known dismissals are those of Captains Alex Dutko, Michael Meno, and David Wilson, who were quietly relieved of their commands over the past six months. These dismissals were not publicly disclosed, as they did not stem from a loss of trust and confidence in the officers' leadership capabilities, a Navy spokesperson clarified.

When pressed for details regarding the undisclosed dismissals, the Navy spokesperson elucidated the service's policy, stating that reliefs not attributed to a loss of confidence in commanding officers are typically not publicized. The term "loss of confidence" serves as a catch-all phrase encompassing a spectrum of issues ranging from leadership style to personal conduct, such as incidents like drunken driving. However, it was noted that reliefs can also occur due to medical reasons or at the request of the officers themselves.

The revelation comes on the heels of reports indicating that the Navy relieved 15 commanding officers of their duties in 2023. Currently, there are approximately 1,600 commanding officers serving across various active-duty Navy roles.

The Navy's stringent stance on disciplinary matters was further underscored by the dismissal of three commanders in 2024 following incidents of drunk driving. Captains Kurt Balagna, Richard Zaszewski, and Geoffry Patterson faced the consequences of their respective DUI-related offenses. Balagna, who commanded the USS Ohio sub's gold crew, was arrested in March with a blood alcohol content of approximately 0.24%. Similarly, Zaszewski, formerly at the helm of Navy Special Warfare Group Eight, was arrested in January with a blood alcohol content ranging between 0.15% and 0.2%. Patterson, leading the USS Georgia's blue crew, met the same fate in January after being apprehended for driving under the influence and other related charges.

Notably, among those relieved of command were two Navy chaplains assigned to the Coast Guard. In a departure from the typical narrative, these dismissals were not related to conventional naval matters. In April, Capt. Daniel Mode, the Coast Guard's top chaplain, faced dismissal for failing to address sexual misconduct within the chaplaincy when made aware of it. Similarly, in May, Navy Cmdr. Cristiano DeSousa, serving as the Seventh District Chaplain in Miami, Florida, was relieved of his duties due to a perceived inability to fulfill the expectations of his position.

These developments underscore the Navy's unwavering commitment to maintaining discipline and upholding the highest standards of conduct among its ranks, even in the face of challenging circumstances.