In a decisive action underscoring the importance of leadership accountability, the Coast Guard has terminated the duties of its top chaplain, Capt. Daniel Mode, due to a “loss of confidence” in his ability to fulfill his responsibilities. This measure follows a finding that Capt. Mode failed to take the necessary action upon learning of sexual misconduct by another chaplain, signaling the Coast Guard’s commitment to maintaining high ethical standards.
The chaplain at the center of the misconduct, who is no longer on active duty, was involved in an incident that occurred before joining the Navy and subsequently the Coast Guard. The administrative inquiry into Capt. Mode’s conduct concluded that his decisions and actions “did not demonstrate the judgment required of a senior leader and Chaplain of the Coast Guard,” a role in which discernment and moral guidance are paramount.
Capt. Mode’s career began in 1988 as a chaplain candidate while studying to become a Roman Catholic priest. His path included various naval assignments, In June 2007, he entered active duty with assignments to the carrier USS Harry S. Truman in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; the George Washington Strike Group; and as command chaplain at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He is also the author of “The Grunt Padre,” a biography of Father Vincent Capodanno, a Navy chaplain who earned the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
Despite Capt. Mode’s previous accolades, the investigation discerned a critical lapse in judgment. The Coast Guard’s standards for leadership in cases of sexual harassment and assault have become particularly stringent following Operation Fouled Anchor, which brought to light long-standing issues within the academy’s handling of such cases. This incident also comes amid Senate scrutiny over the Coast Guard’s conduct related to sexual assault investigations.
Capt. Mode will be reassigned within the Navy Chaplain Corps, albeit outside the Coast Guard, while Capt. Richard Ryan has been designated as the temporary Chaplain of the Coast Guard.
Relevant articles:
– Chaplain of the Coast Guard Fired for ‘Loss of Confidence’ After Not Acting on Case of Sexual Misconduct, Military, 04/27/2024
– Coast Guard’s top chaplain fired for failing to act on knowledge of another’s sexual misconduct, Stars and Stripes, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 23:09:10 GMT
– Coast Guard Removes Top Chaplain for “Failure to Demonstrate Judgement”, The Maritime Executive, Wed, 24 Apr 2024 23:56:17 GMT
– Coast Guard sacks top chaplain due to ‘loss of confidence’, Washington Times, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:03:46 GMT