The Navy SEAL commodore for Navy Particular Warfare Group Eight was relieved of command Wednesday for a “lack of confidence in his means to command,” in accordance with a press launch from Naval Particular Warfare Command.
Capt. Richard A. Zaszewski was relieved of his command by Rear Adm. Keith Davids, head of Naval Particular Warfare Command, for a “conduct associated” offense, a Navy spokesperson informed Navy.com.
“Capt. Zaszewski was relieved due to a lack of confidence in his means to command,” Lt. Cmdr. Chelsea Irish, a spokesperson for Navy Particular Warfare Command, informed Navy.com in an e-mail. “The choice was made with cautious consideration of the info and the crucial to uphold the excessive requirements of Navy management.”
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Irish mentioned she couldn’t provide extra particulars on the firing. Zaszewski couldn’t be reached for remark.
In keeping with his service information, Zaszewski, who’s a Navy SEAL, spent almost 20 years assigned to “East Coast-based Particular Warfare Units.”
Sometimes, Naval Particular Warfare Command doesn’t determine which groups SEALs are assigned to in publicly offered service information.
Zaszewski has beforehand been awarded the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars with one “V” machine for valor, a Fight Motion Ribbon, and marketing campaign medals for Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve, amongst different awards, in accordance with his service report. The Silver Star Medal is the third-highest award a service member may be awarded for displaying heroic acts of valor in fight conditions.
Deputy commodore Capt. Stig Sanness assumed the duties of commodore for NSWG-8, Irish mentioned.
Naval Particular Warfare Group Eight was established in 2021 and fashioned by way of the mix of NSWGs Three and Ten.
“Naval Particular Warfare is intentionally and urgently reworking to satisfy new threats and ship distinctive choices that broaden our nationwide benefit in strategic competitors and improve joint drive survivability and lethality in disaster and battle,” Rear Adm. H.W. Howard III, then-commander of NSWC, mentioned on the unit’s institution ceremony.
Headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Seashore, Virginia, NSWG-8 is thought for undersea-focused warfare, specializing in working each manned and unmanned submersibles, along with conducting cyber and digital warfare operations.
The sudden change of command has “no affect to NSWG-8’s mission readiness,” the Navy mentioned within the press launch.
This was not less than the fifth firing of a high-ranking Navy commander in 2024. The service fired the commanding officer of certainly one of its guided-missile submarines final week, providing no extra clarification than its boilerplate “lack of confidence” comment. The submarine commander’s firing adopted the reduction of the commanding officer of the Japan-based destroyer USS Howard on Feb. 6 and the commanding officer of the USS Georgia sub’s blue crew in January.
In response to an inquiry by Navy.com as as to whether coverage or requirements adjustments are behind the current inflow of high-ranking officers being relieved of command, the Navy mentioned it’s merely holding officers accountable.
“There isn’t any change to U.S. Navy accountability coverage,” the service spokesperson informed Navy.com. “[Officers] are anticipated to uphold the very best requirements of duty, reliability and management, and the Navy holds them accountable after they fall wanting these requirements.”
Editor’s observe: This story was up to date with a correction to info offered by the Navy.
— Rachel Nostrant is a Marine Corps veteran and freelance journalist, with work printed in Reuters, New York Journal, Navy Instances and extra.
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