Posted on: Monday, April 23, 2001

Waddle's statement following admiral's mast hearing

Here is the complete text of Cmdr. Scott Waddle's statement concerning the admiral's mast:

Today, I was disciplined by Admiral Fargo and issued a Punitive Letter of Reprimand and a suspended forfeiture of pay for my performance of duties as the Commanding Officer, USS Greeneville on 9 February 2001.

I understand and accept the punishment that Admiral Fargo imposed. He treated me fairly and with dignity and respect and I thank him for that. I also wish to thank Rear Admiral Konetzni for his support at the hearing and throughout this difficult time.

This hearing concluded a very difficult time for my family and I and it has effectively ended my Navy career. It was not the end that I had envisioned for my career when I took command of the Greeneville. However, when I took command, I accepted the responsibility and accountability that accompany the authority invested in me as a Commanding Officer of a Navy ship. As the Commanding Officer, I was and am responsible and accountable for my actions and the actions of my crew that led to the terrible accident at sea on 9 February 2001. This hearing and the punishment imposed reaffirm that bedrock principle of command accountability.

While I regret that my Navy career has ended in this way, I know that I am one of the lucky ones because I survived the accident. My heart aches for the losses suffered by the families of those killed aboard the M/V Ehime Maru and the grief that this accident unfairly has thrust upon them. I think about those lost at sea every day and I grieve for the families. To those families, I again offer my most sincere apology and my hope that our Government will promptly and fairly settle all claims made by the families against the United States as a result of this accident.