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Boomer CO fired over personnel problems

Alleged problems with command climate and “retention issues” with senior personnel aboard the ballistic-missile submarine West Virginia led to the firing of its commanding officer, according to a Navy spokeswoman.

Cmdr. Charles “Tony” Hill, 45, commander of the boat’s Gold Crew, was relieved Monday “due to a loss of confidence” in his ability to command, said Lt. Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for Submarine Group 10.

The Ohio-class submarine is based at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga. Hill and the Gold Crew returned to Kings Bay in November from deployment.

“Although there was no specific incident, a number of indications related to command climate emerged over time. These indications included observations by squadron staff personnel, observations by personnel from external organizations, and significant retention issues including senior personnel,” Rebarich said.

“These all came to the squadron commander’s attention following Cmdr. Hill’s first patrol. These indications revealed a command climate issue and led to the loss of confidence.”

Hill is not facing any charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and his alleged misconduct did not involve the submarine’s nuclear reactor, Rebarich said.

“At no point was the crew or the public in danger,” she said.

Capt. Daniel Mack, commanding officer of Submarine Squadron 16/20, made the decision to remove Hill and temporarily assign him to Submarine Squadron 20 at Kings Bay.

Mack assigned Capt. Stephen Gillespie as temporary commander of the West Virginia’s Gold Crew, which is conducting training at its home port.

Gillespie has served as commander of the ballistic-missile submarine Rhode Island and most recently was the deputy for training at Squadron 16/20.

Hill, originally from Lineville, Ala., was commissioned in 1990 through the Navy ROTC program at Auburn University. He served aboard the fast-attack submarine Cheyenne from 1998 to 2001, and later on the Rhode Island from 2003 to 2005, Navy records show.

Hill was promoted to commander in June 2006 and assigned to the West Virginia in June 2008.

Removal of a ballistic-missile submarine commander is rare. Navy officials were unable to say when the last time a boomer skipper was relieved.

A search of previous Navy Times stories shows that in 1997, Cmdr. Michael J. Alfonso was relieved from his command of the ballistic-missile submarine Florida for allegations of browbeating his crew, ignoring his executive officer and chief of the boat, and acting as a tyrant.