Jip got to add to his legal experience today. He's on the list again to be called for the military version of jury duty, and today he served on a Board of Inquiry. A BOI is convened when an officer receives a non-judicial punishment from a Commanding Officer for misconduct or substandard performance of duty. The BOI looks at the totality of the officer's record, not just the incident in question, and the Board decides whether the Officer should stay in the Navy or recommends removal of the officer by administrative separation or forced retirement and may also recommend a reduction in rank. The officer can speak on his own behalf as well as call on others to attest to his character and performance.
Without going into too much detail, a Warrant Officer made a bad decision when dealing with some work stress and drank too much at home one evening. He struck his wife and the authorities were called. The WO immediately realized his mistake and submitted to alcohol and marriage counseling. But, because authorities were involved, the WO had to go to Captain's Mast for non-judicial punishment. The WO received a letter of reprimand. When BUPERS saw the letter in his personnel file, they requested the BOI. The BOI found that the WO was a superstar who made one bad decision but took all the appropriate steps following that decision. The CO who administered the NJP even wrote a letter asking the Board to keep the WO in the Navy. The BOI agreed and recommended that the WO be allowed to stay in the Navy until he retires. The WO will probably ever be promoted, but at least he can finish the career he has worked so hard to build.
It was nice to have Jip come home from a legal proceeding not torn up inside!
Jip had a busy day--legal stuff this morning and Bon Odori this evening. SRF throws a party each summer--Bon Odori--for SRF employees and their families. Many people wear the traditional yukata (summer kimono), including a lot of Gaijin. For a lot of people it is a time to let loose and enjoy eating and dancing. I think a lot of people enjoy it--Jip and I are not among them. It is too crowded, too hot, and just not great for people with really little people. But, it is a time to raise money for the Wardroom and the Spouses' Club. So, we do our bit. Jip helped man the Wardroom's margarita stand for 2 hours. I baked 6 pans of brownies. Last year, we also ate dinner there, but this year, I was not in the mood to deal with the crowd. So, the kids and I walked to SRF and waited for Jip's shift to be over. We chatted with the CO and his family, and then we snuck out and went out for dinner, where there were seats for all of us and air conditioning. But, I snapped a few pics with my phone to commemorate the event.
We're looking forward to a hopefully somewhat calm weekend. We hope you get to do the same!
