It’s no Don’t Ask Don’t Tell ousting, but Michael Toussaint (pictured) — the Navy commanding officer who allegedly instigated the horrific abuse aimed at Joseph Christopher Rocha in Bahrain — has been censured by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, forcing him to retire. Good riddance.
After an internal investigation into Toussaint’s conduct in the canine unit (where he was chief petty officer) amidst Congressional pressure, which some allege led fellow sailor Jennifer Valdivia to take her own life, the Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead “found the incidents were not in keeping with Navy values and standards and violated Navy’s long standing prohibition against hazing,” says Navy spokesperson Commander Elissa Smith. Notes Youth Radio, which has been following Rocha’s story throughout: “Smith said the Secretary of the Navy’s letter of censure will become part of Toussaint’s permanent military record. Toussaint, now a senior chief petty officer, will be reassigned to Naval Special Warfare Group 2, where he will perform administrative duties until his retirement in January.”
But, did we hear that right? Toussaint — who received a promotion even after Rocha’s allegations were investigated and dismissed — gets to retire? Which means he’ll keep his pension and benefits, correct?
If the Navy really did find Toussaint’s behavior that egregious, they should be demanding his resignation — which means no health benefits and no pension plan. We’re sure Toussaint did some admirable things during his Navy career, but that career also includes this: terrorizing fellow American soldiers because of their sexuality.
How about we take this to the next level?
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This man deserves nothing.
UPDATE: Rocha reacted on CNN last night.
UPDATE 2: Reader Scott points us to this Navy Times article, which notes:
Toussaint enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 23, 1990, Navy records show, so allowing him to remain on active duty until January will ensure that he receives retirement benefits.
However, Mabus plans to review Toussaint’s case again in a “retirement pay-grade determination” which “has the potential to significantly impact Senior Chief Toussaint’s retirement pay,” Smith said.
Under the 2009 retirement pay schedule, Toussaint will be eligible for about $2,032 in monthly retirement pay as a senior chief. If Mabus opted to reduce him one rank, to E-7, he would receive about $1,850 each month under the 2009 figures; if reduced to E-1, a retired sailor can receive $664 monthly.
(Photo: Sandy Huffaker)
Personnel
I suspect that federal personnel regs require a criminal conviction to justify canceling the benefits that someone earned while employed.
Jamie
He will have to live with his sorry disgraced ass until he dies. Not the punishment we want. But, he is leaving in disgrace.
rudy
Meanwhile, gay servicemen and women with good records are tossed out with nothing.
Scott
So it looks like Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Michael Toussaints’ punishment for allowing/encouraging this is to be allowed to retire and receive $2,018/month.
This is beyond acceptable.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/10/navy_bahrain_hazing_102109/
Fitz
Well, it’s 2 G a month, but what WOULD it have been? And could any of us really live on 2 grand a month?
Scott
If a 20 year veteran gets a dishonorable discharge under DADT he/she gets
1) ZERO $/month from retirement
2) looses all VA benefits
3) Looses GI bill
4) can’t get a federal job
I think that would be a great way for Toussaint to exit the military
Besides…this yahoo can always get a job at Blackwater..
Scott
If a 20 year veteran gets a dishonorable discharge under DADT he/she gets
1) ZERO $/month from retirement
2) looses all VA benefits
3) Looses GI bill
4) can’t get a federal job
I think that would be a great way for Toussaint to exit the military
Besides…this yahoo can always get a job at Blackwater..
That will never happen…but he should not get his Promotion pay!!
Fitz
Scott: good point.
Charlie
This guy was in violation of Navy Regs, and should face a courts martial for that. The result of that could be a reduction in rate to whatever the court decides. It has nothing to do with gay, but rather hazing. Pure and simple it is against navy regs. He should stand trial for that.
The Navy is whitewashing the whole incident and taht is sad, as a retired CPO, it is doubly sad.
anf don’t feel sad about the poor guy only getting 2g a month, yes, plenty of people live on LESS than 2g a month in this country, and he will get that for the rest of his life, despite any other jobs he takes – including a job with the federal gov.
FakeName
Scott sez: If a 20 year veteran gets a dishonorable discharge under DADT
Service members are not issued dishonorable discharges under DADT. Rocha, one of the victims in this scandal, himself received an honorable discharge. Honorably discharged veterans are entitled to the same benefits and privileges despite the reason for the discharge.