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Stufflebeem punished for lying, will retire

The former director of the Navy Staff was given a punitive letter of reprimand during a nonjudicial punishment hearing Friday for providing “false and misleading information” to Navy investigators earlier this year, the Navy’s top spokesman said Monday.

Rear Adm. John “Boomer” Stufflebeem had been fired from his three-star position last month by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead for testimony Stufflebeem gave to the Defense Department Inspector General about an “inappropriate relationship.”

Navy officials declined to characterize the relationship, which allegedly occurred 18 years ago while Stufflebeem worked at the White House as a military aide to President George H.W. Bush, but stressed that Stufflebeem was relieved for making false statements, and not a relationship.

After firing Stufflebeem last month, Roughead directed Adm. Kirk Donald to review the results of the IG investigation. Upon completing his review, Donald took Stufflebeem to admiral’s mast.

“As a result of Admiral Donald’s review, Rear Admiral Stufflebeem was charged with one count of violating Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 107, making a false official statement,” Navy Chief of Information Rear Adm. Frank Thorp told Navy Times Monday.

Thorp said Stufflebeem, who remains assigned to the Navy Staff, asked to retire from the Navy effective July 1 prior to receiving his nonjudicial punishment.

“The determination of Rear Admiral Stufflebeem’s retirement grade has not been made,” Thorp said, pointing out that Stufflebeem has not completed three years as a vice admiral before being fired and automatically reverting to his permanent rank of rear admiral. Officers are normally required to have three years of satisfactory service to retire in the highest grade they served in, he said.

“[Stufflebeem’s final retirement grade] will be determined by the secretary of the Navy following a formal review process and recommendation of CNO,” Thorp said.

Thorp said Stufflebeem has the right to appeal his punishment, but has not indicated to Navy officials whether he will do so.

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