The commander of the Army’s fifth Safety Power Help Brigade was suspended amid allegations of counterproductive and abusive remedy of his subordinates, in keeping with a number of sources with direct data of the investigation.
Army.com was first to report on the suspension final week, however on the time, it wasn’t identified that Col. Jonathan Chung was faraway from his place on account of allegations of poor management.
Chung was suspended April 10 after being in charge of the fifth SFAB headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, since July 2021 and was seemingly in place to be promoted to brigadier common quickly.
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“I’m not going through allegations relating to any unlawful, immoral or unethical issues,” Chung wrote in an e mail, reviewed by Army.com, despatched to colleagues that was searching for constructive character witness letters for investigators. “I’m going through allegations which can be centered round perceived counterproductive and poisonous management points.”
Army.com spoke with 10 troopers who labored immediately with Chung at fifth SFAB and at his earlier command with 2nd Stryker Brigade Fight Crew, 2nd Infantry Division. Most of them painted an image of an abrasive management model from Chung that squashed unit cohesion and demoralized subordinate officers. No troopers interviewed accused Chung of any legal points or sexual misconduct.
“He was the worst chief I’ve ever had, poisonous, egocentric and egotistical,” one Army officer informed Army.com on the situation of anonymity to keep away from retaliation. “I used to be getting screamed at a number of occasions for causes I am unable to perceive.”
It is unclear what particular occasion led to Chung’s dismissal. His legal professional declined to supply any specifics however stated the investigation revolves round accusations of counterproductive management.
Troopers, together with different officers who labored beneath Chung within the chain of command, described Chung as a perfectionist and micromanager who routinely dressed down subordinates in entrance of others. The general public criticism was generally identified within the ranks as “The Chunger Video games.” He additionally tasked his formation with listening to his podcast about management classes, typically requiring troops to jot down studies or quizzing concerning the materials.
One commander in fifth SFAB stated that Chung has an unfair status and that his strict management model merely rubs some troopers the flawed approach and that they’ve by no means witnessed Chung berating or speaking all the way down to subordinates. The commander is a supportive character witness in Chung’s investigation and was put in touch with Army.com by Chung’s legal professional.
In a single case, a soldier’s chain of command, from squad chief to firm commander, have been introduced into Chung’s workplace to be taken to process a few soldier who was carrying mismatching socks throughout bodily coaching, in keeping with two troopers who have been on the assembly. Minor infractions, together with uniform violations, are sometimes dealt with by low-level, non-commissioned officers. One other commander informed Army.com of an occasion through which they have been grilled over why a soldier left responsibility early for a scheduled dental appointment.
Chung has been briefly assigned to U.S. Army Pacific, a component of the pressure that oversees logistics for the area. Officers are generally reassigned to low-key administrative positions throughout investigations that may take months to finish.
The Safety Power Help Brigades have been stood up by the Army between 2017 and 2020. Troopers in these regionally aligned brigades sport the brown beret and “Advisor” tab, uniform objects the service has applied to make SFABs stand aside from the remainder of the pressure. The brigades are centered on working with U.S. allies to coach their forces, assist refine their doctrine or assess their navy capabilities. The fifth SFAB focuses on the Pacific and international locations together with the Philippines, Mongolia and Australia.
— Steve Beynon might be reached at Steve.Beynon@navy.com. Comply with him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.
Associated: Commander of Army Pacific Coaching Brigade Suspended
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