The chief of the boat (COB) of the Pearl Harbor-based fast attack submarine USS Columbia (SSN 771) was relieved of his duties March 2 due to a pattern of poor leadership.

Master Chief Machinist's Mate (Non-Nuclear, Submarine Auxiliary) Ruben P. Aguirre was removed from his position by Cmdr. David Edgerton, USS Columbia commanding officer.

Aguirre, who had been aboard Columbia since June 2015, has been administratively reassigned to Naval Submarine Support Command (NSSC) Pearl Harbor.

As key members of the command triad, chiefs of the boat are senior enlisted leaders of Navy submarine commands and have a great deal of responsibility for their unit's assigned Sailors and their mission. They strengthen the chain of command by keeping the commanding officer aware of existing or potential issues of concern as well as procedures and practices which affect the mission, readiness, welfare and morale of the Sailors in the command.