The Navy convened two summary courts-martial June 22 for two master chief petty officers (MCPO) who were tried for violating instructions governing the promotion board process following an investigation directed by Rear Adm. Richard A. Brown, commander, Navy Personnel Command.

The summary court-martial officer returned a verdict of guilty for both MCPOs. One MCPO pled guilty and was found guilty of divulging board membership and discussing a Sailor under consideration outside the board process. The MCPO was awarded a reduction in rank to senior chief petty officer (SCPO). The second MCPO pled guilty and was found guilty for violating instructions by divulging membership, discussing a Sailor under consideration outside the board process, and divulging deliberations and results to an unauthorized individual. The MCPO was awarded a reduction in rank to SCPO and a reprimand.

"The Navy takes this incident very seriously and has investigated these allegations of wrong-doing by some board members," said Brown. "The Navy's board process is sacrosanct - the selection board process must be a fair and impartial process. The board procedures are essential to ensure a fair and impartial process and deviation cannot be tolerated."

The Navy received a report on April 11 that members of the FY18 Master Chief (E9) Selection Board violated board procedures. The E-9 Selection Board was suspended April 12 and Navy Personnel Command began an investigation into wrongdoing by board members. Enough information was validated to warrant further investigation by the Navy.

The Navy's investigation will not be released until all punitive or administrative action has been completed for all Sailors involved.

The E9 board will be re-convened July 24 with new members, including a board president who is a flag officer. The remainder of the board will be comprised of a mix of officers and MCPOs. This will include fleet, force and command master chiefs, as well as in-rate master chiefs who will ensure current technical expertise is represented in the process.

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