<p>Ah, madam! I regret to have to inform you that it is most often NOT fair.</p>
<p>The history books are chock full of stories of Commanding Officers being relieved of duty and having their careers destroyed for mishaps in their commands that were beyond their control. </p>
<p>Groundings and collisions because the watchstanders were sloppy, accidents because some seaman someplace blew off a known requirement, etc. It always lands upon the Captain, because he IS THE CAPTAIN.</p>
<p>It’s a tradition that goes way, way back, and has consumed more than one good and decent man. I wish it were different, but that’s the way it is. The exceptions to the rule are extremely few and VERY far between.</p>
<p>I was unaware of the medal. It saddens me that the apparent contradiction between the medal and the refusal to promote doesn’t surprise me at all. I sincerely hope that this will turn and become one of the exceptions, but I won’t hold my breath.</p>
<p>Welcome to the darker side of the Naval Service. :(</p>