Title: Day of Reckoning
Author: rooster dawn
Classification: personal loss
Summary: The new Secretary of the Navy takes over. He doesn't like what he sees after reviewing the JAG files.
Spoiler: The Lindsey Report
Disclaimer: The characters of JAG are the property of Donald Bellisario and Bellisarius Production, Inc. Used without permission. No copyright infringement intended. May be reproduce if unchanged, author given full credit, and no financial transaction is involved.
Good feedback is good for one's soul and everyone's happiness.
Author's Note: This was one possible scenario as to what could have happen the SecNav read the Lindsey Report. He was after all base on first impression, a deceitful man.
part one
20 Jan 2003
SecNav's office
The new SecNav(SN) was sitting in the chair of his new office. He was puzzled why the man he replaced would rely so heavily upon the JAG office to conduct investigations in Afghanistan when there were more qualified people in the Navy and CIA available.
He figured he needed to look through the personnel files of some of the officers assigned to JAG and talk to some of the personnel who worked with these officers. The first file he picked up was Commander Rabb.
Several hours later he put down the last of the personnel files. He was very impress with some of the officers under AJ's command. Many were seasoned veterans who had seen combat and had been very successful.
However he did come across several files that concerned him greatly. Two officers in particular seemed to have a history of currying favor from the senior officers in their command.
He didn't think that was appropriate. He would have to do further investigation focusing on these two officers and the rest of the staff. He would conduct interviews discreetly among the staff of JAG.
0800 hours
9 Feb 2003
Admiral's office
The Admiral walked into his office with a cup of coffee. Valentine's day was just around the corner and he was wondering what to get Meredith. Just as he sat down into his chair there was a buzz from the intercom on his desk.
"What is it Tiner?" he bellowed a little bit perturbed.
"It's the SN Sir. He's on line one." replied Tiner.
'God, just what I need to start the week off, a call from the SN. What the hell can he possibly want?' thought the Admiral. 'Nothing of note happened over the weekend. Why the hell is he calling me first thing Monday morning?' He picked up the phone.
"Good morning Sir, how may I help you?" asked the Admiral.
"I was a little concern with how much assistance the senior staff at JAG contributed to Lieutenant Roberts' efforts to stay in the Navy last month. Over the last few weeks I conducted an informal investigation, conducting interviews concerning those efforts." began the SN.
"You should have come to me first, Sir. I could have explained to you why we assisted him. He's a good officer and a credit to the uniform. He's one of my best young officers." replied the Admiral.
"I'm sure you honestly believe that AJ, but I think that there are too many questionable actions conducted by the Lieutenants Roberts and Sims to be overlook by an impartial observer. I need you to meet me in my office at 1000 hours." explained the SN.
"Tiner, I'll be out of the office till noon. Reschedule any and all appointments." ordered the Admiral.
"Yes Sir!" replied Tiner.
"And tell Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie I want to see them in my office when I return." ordered the Admiral.
"Yes Sir." replied Tiner.
0900 hours
11 Feb 2003
JAG conference room
The following morning the Admiral called Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Turner, Lieutenant Roberts, and Lieutenant Sims into the conference room.
"I wonder what's going on. We aren't scheduled for a meeting today." asked Sturgis.
"Maybe it's about having a Valentine's day party for the office." beamed Harriet cheerfully.
"I don't think so Harriet. It's about a serious breech of military conduct. Several officers conducted acts that were later considered currying favor from their superiors." replied Mac.
"Sounds like a very important and interesting case. I wonder who is going to be participating." offered Bud gleefully.
He hoped he could be part of the case. He was finally back at JAG after being assigned to rehab duty for the last nine months. He wanted to get his feet wet in the courtroom again.
"I don't think there is going to be any courtroom drama Bud. I think the guilty parties have been identified and found guilty. All there is left is the sentencing." replied Harm glumly.
0920 hours
Admiral's office
"I don't understand AJ, why does Lieutenant Sims work here at JAG. From what I understand she was assigned to the Inspector General's Office when she arrived in Washington." pondered the SN.
"She was assigned here six years ago to check all the files to insure they were in compliance." replied the Admiral.
"From what I can see here in her file, she and Lieutenant Roberts were married sixteen months later. From what I understand from reading the UCMJ married coupled aren't allowed to work together." stated the SN.
"That's normally true Sir, but exceptions can be made. Lieutenant Sims is an excellent worker. Besides they don't really work together Sir. Lieutenant Roberts is a lawyer. Lieutenant Sims is more of an office manager." replied the Admiral.
"I could understand keeping her and her husband here together if they were both lawyers, but Lieutenant Sims isn't one. As an office manager she has no need to be here. I noticed you survived without her at JAG for two years after she had her first child." argued the SN.
"She was replaced by Gunny Sergeant Galindez, Sir. When he left, Lieutenant Sims was asked to return to duty here." replied the Admiral.
"I'm sorry AJ, I just can't see the reason for her being stationed here, could you have Lieutenant Sims brought in." argued SN.
A few minutes later Harriet knocked on the door and entered. "Lieutenant Sims reporting as ordered Sir!"
"Take a seat Lieutenant." ordered the Admiral.
"Do you know why you're here Lieutenant?" asked the SN.
"No Sir." replied Harriet.
"I have some serious issues with some of your actions over the six years you have been here at JAG. I'll start with your asking Colonel MacKenzie to be your maid of honor when you got married.
That's a serious breech of the rules of Fraternization. Particularly of an officer socializing with another officer more than two grades above her. Later you name your first born son after the Admiral.
You chose Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie as the child's godparents. You were even going to name your daughter Sarah after the Colonel. That's five cases of currying favor with your superior officers that I'm aware of Lieutenant. I'm sure there many more.
After you returned to duty last year I understand you constantly showed disrespect to Lieutenant Singer because she wasn't held in high esteem by the senior staff.
Then last year you acted like a snitch reporting to the Admiral about any of her actions that you disagreed with when she was left in charged of the office.
You even punched her out when you didn't like how she informed the other staff members when Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie were reported missing. What do you have to say about these issues to defend yourself Lieutenant?" asked the SN.
"I was only trying to show the Admiral, Commander Rabb, and Colonel MacKenzie my appreciation for their support and the encouragement they had given Lieutenant Robert and myself during the years Sir." replied Harriet tearfully.
She was about to cry. She didn't understand why what she had done was wrong. How could showing respect to those who had assisted her and Bud in their lives and careers be wrong. She had to admit that punching out Loren was wrong, but at the time she felt Loren deserved it.
"The only thing I see here is a well orchestrated plan to curry favor for yourself and your husband. I see that you received a promotion to Lieutenant two years ago even though you were in the reserves for the previous two years.
Then last year your husband was given the opportunity for advancement to Lieutenant Commander even after he was brought up on charges of DOD. He also was junior in rank to Lieutenant Singer and had less trial experience as a lawyer.
Do you see something wrong with this picture Lieutenant?" asked the SN.
"Yes Sir." wailed Harriet.
"Do you think it was right that your husband received these opportunities over someone who was equally if not more qualify than he was? From what I've been told and read about your husband, his main qualification was that he was mentored by the senior staff.
He was given more opportunities to succeed because they liked him better. Others weren't afforded the same opportunities. Naming your son after your Commanding officer and having two other officers in your husband's chain of command play important roles in your marriage doesn't look right." explained SN.
"AJ, will you have Sgt Rivas come in. Lieutenant Sims, I want you to sign this letter of resignation. You will be given an honorable discharge. Sgt Rivas will escort you through the out processing. At which time you will be escorted from the premises. Do you understand?" directed SN.
"Yes Sir." replied Harriet.
She stood up and walked over to the desk and signed her name on the letter of resignation. She had thought about getting the Colonel or the Commander to help her, but realized that if they could have helped her, the Admiral would have said something.
Sgt Rivas then escorted her out to her desk to gather all her personal items. She left the office area in tears.
1030 hours
Admiral office
"AJ, I have two questions about Lieutenant Roberts. I can understand on one level why you offered him the opportunity for advancement. He's well respected by your senior staff.
Which I understand because they trained him to be a good lawyer. But what I can't understand is how you can overlook his lack of physical fitness for so many years.
The rest of your staff is in excellent shape, why isn't he? The second point is how could you give him the opportunity for advancement after his DOD charges?
I understand that his client worked against him, but that still wasn't excusable. He should have been administratively disciplined and held back from career advancement for at least a year. He also should have gotten himself in shape." stated the SN.
"Lieutenant Roberts has had an outstanding career here at JAG. I didn't believe that his lack of performance on one case warranted losing the opportunity for career advancement. I have counseled him numerous times about his weight and physical condition." replied the Admiral.
"Why don't you have Lieutenant Roberts sent in AJ." requested the SN.
A few minutes later Bud knocked on the door and entered. "Lieutenant Roberts reporting as ordered Sir."
"Seat down Lieutenant." ordered the Admiral.
"Do you know why you are here Lieutenant?" asked the SN.
"No Sir." replied Bud.
"I have some serious reservations with some of your actions over the time you have been here at JAG. I'll start with you asking Commander Rabb to be your best man when you got married.
That's a serious breech of the rules of Fraternization. Particularly of an officer socializing with another officer more than one grade above him.
Then you name your first born son after the Admiral. You chose Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie as the child's godparents. You were even going to name your daughter Sarah after the Colonel.
That's five cases of currying favor with your superior officers Lieutenant. On top of all that you have continued to fail your physical readiness test for the last six years.
And now after losing your leg, I serious doubt you will ever pass it now considering you weren't interested in passing it before. Maybe if you were stationed at one of the less important JAG offices, being on restricted duty might be more acceptable.
But here at JAG headquarters in Washington you're in a high profile position that should be reserved for JAG's best, those with a future in the Navy. Clearly I don't see that for you Lieutenant. Can you possibly explain to me why you should be allowed to stay in the Navy?" asked the SN.
"With all due respect Sir, there is a simple explanation for all your questions. We name our first born son after the Admiral because he's the most important person in our lives. He has been very supportive of us during the years and has given us the opportunity to succeed.
As for the Commander being my best man, that was because he was my best friend. He trained me to be investigator, he encouraged me during law school, and he trained me to be a good lawyer. Naming the Commander and the Colonel as Godparents was just recognizing them for their support.
As for failing my physical readiness test I have no excuse, but it has never been a factor in doing my job. I still think I'm more than capable of serving in the Navy.
I can still do investigations utilizing the computer. I still can try cases in court. I see no reason why I can't continue to do the job." explained Bud.
"As I stated before some of your actions are questionable at best. Included in this are the numerous office parties you and your wife have hosted. Even though I consider that commendable, it's not usually the function assumed by a junior officer.
I see this as currying favoritism with senior officers. It was clearly apparent that it affected the Admiral's choice of who to offer the opportunity for promotion to Lieutenant Commander.
I have looked over your record and Lieutenant Singer's records. Her overall marks are better. Her record in the courtroom is better. Her record against you in the courtroom is better.
What isn't better is her relationship with Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie, and the Admiral. Are you beginning to see the picture Lieutenant? All your actions, as well intentioned as they might have been, have curried favor with all three of them." the SN further explained.
"Look how hard they fought to keep you in the Navy. Do you think they would have done the same for anyone else, Lieutenant Singer?"
"No Sir." replied Bud. He could see the handwriting on the wall and it wasn't looking very good. He needed to see Harriet.
"I need your signature on your letter of resignation. You will be honorably discharged with full disability. AJ, will you get Sgt Rivera in here to escort Lieutenant Roberts through the out processing." ordered the SN.
"Admiral?" asked Bud.
"You better sign it Bud. It's for the best." answered the Admiral.
"Yes Sir." replied Bud sullenly. Bud signed the letter of resignation and left with Sgt Rivera.