Top enlisted man at Earle weapons station fired - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Top enlisted man at Earle weapons station fired

The top sailor at Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., was fired last week over what was termed “unsatisfactory performance,” the command confirmed Wednesday.

Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) (AW/SW/EXW) Scott Bowman was relieved Thursday of his duties as command senior chief by base commanding officer Capt. David J. Harrison, according to Earle spokesman Michael Brady.

Bowman, Harrison’s top enlisted adviser, was relieved for “loss of confidence due to unsatisfactory performance.” Brady said he couldn’t provide more detail but said Harrison reached his decision as the result of an investigation.

Asked to broadly characterize the reason for Bowman’s relief — whether it involved professional or personal conduct — Brady described it as more of “a case of personal judgment” and said it was not a criminal matter. Bowman was not given nonjudicial punishment, and his relief did not take place at captain’s mast, Brady said.

Bowman has been reassigned to Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., Brady said.

Bowman is the second announced firing of a command’s senior sailor in 2012. A total of 13 such firings were announced last year.

Master Chief Master-at-Arms (SW) Lee Green was temporarily assigned as senior enlisted adviser pending the naming of a permanent replacement.

Bowman, a New Jersey native, enlisted in May 1993, according to Navy Personnel Command. He’s earned a cluster of decorations during his career, including the Meritorious Service Medal, and has logged nearly 10 years of sea tours on two different aircraft carriers. He was promoted to senior chief petty officer in June 2010 and reported to Earle in June 2011.

The weapons station provides ordnance for East Coast-based carrier and amphibious groups, and also supports Defense Department strategic ordnance requirements.