Our sailors deserve good leaders

Once again, a Navy leader is in the headlines for toxic behavior, including screaming at, belittling and hitting members of the crew. While most commanding officers do their best with the sacred charge they have been given, this latest case of substantiated leader misconduct is not unique.

Too often, Big Navy allows bullies to rise to positions of authority, to a degree unparalleled in the civilian workplace, even as the sea service works to make itself a more respectful and welcoming place for the 21st-century sailor.

I know the power of command firsthand. As a former commanding officer of a Navy cruiser, I have been in that chair. There is almost no one who has more absolute power than the CO of a ship at sea, especially in major command at the O-6 level.