A high-ranking Pacific Marine Corps sailor has been relieved of his assignment after an investigation found he made “inappropriate comments” about a junior sailor’s appearance at CFB Esquimalt, Navy officials say.
Timothy Blond was relieved of his role as senior chief petty officer of Naval Forces Pacific – the most senior appointment at MARPAC – after comments he made at a May 6 social event at the base, according to the Royal Canadian Navy.
Although the evidence did not support charges against Blond under the Code of Official Discipline or the Criminal Code of Canada, it “clearly demonstrates that his conduct was unacceptable and inconsistent with his duties and responsibilities … undermining the confidence necessary to perform the duties associated with this appointment said Royal Canadian Navy Cmdr. Vice Admiral Angus Topshy in a statement.
Topshy said the Navy has made it clear that any form of misconduct is “unacceptable” in its ranks and therefore Blond has been relieved of his leadership duties, adding that he will continue to serve in the Navy.
The role held by the Blonde is intended to represent the interests and perspectives of MARPAC members, including maintaining discipline and promoting the ethics and values of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“A formation Chief Warrant Officer cannot perform his duties effectively without the trust of both formation leadership and Sailors,” Topshi said.
Earlier this year, in an unrelated incident, CFB Esquimalt closed a naval training course after alleged acts of racism and sexual behavior among students.
Several senior Canadian military officers have faced a wave of high-profile allegations of sexual misconduct in recent years, prompting a year-long review in response.
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