In a recent development that underscores the high standards expected from military leadership, particularly in relation to handling misconduct, the U.S. Coast Guard has made the weighty decision to relieve its top chaplain of his duties. Navy Capt. Daniel Mode, a Catholic priest who was appointed as the Chief Chaplain of the Coast Guard in April 2022, was reassigned to the Navy following an administrative investigation. This action stems from findings that indicated a lack of appropriate response from Capt. Mode upon discovering pre-service sexual misconduct committed by another chaplain.
The central issue at hand is not that Mode contravened any specific law or policy, but rather, his failure to exercise the expected level of judgment befitting his leadership role. “A Coast Guard administrative investigation found that Capt. Mode did not take appropriate action when made aware of pre-service sexual misconduct by another chaplain,” according to the Coast Guard. “That member has already been removed from the Coast Guard and Navy. The investigation revealed that Captain Mode’s decisions and actions did not demonstrate the judgment required of a senior leader and chaplain of the Coast Guard.”
The incident has brought into sharp focus the challenges and expectations surrounding the management of misconduct within the armed services. Despite the absence of legal violations, the Coast Guard has taken a firm stance, underscoring its commitment to maintaining a high standard of ethical conduct among its leaders. This commitment is set against the backdrop of a wider Senate investigation into the Coast Guard Academy’s handling of sexual assault allegations, spotlighting the Fouled Anchor report which detailed instances of sexual assault and the institution’s response to them.
As for Mode, although he retains his ecclesiastical endorsement, his future within the Chaplain Corps remains uncertain. The Navy, which oversees the provision of chaplains to the Coast Guard, has reassigned Mode to a role within the Navy Office of the Chief of Chaplains but refrained from detailing specifics or commenting on any potential administrative or disciplinary measures.
Relevant articles:
– Coast Guard’s top chaplain fired for failing to act on knowledge of another’s sexual misconduct, Stripes, 04/26/2024
– Chaplain of the Coast Guard Fired for ‘Loss of Confidence’ After Not Acting on Case of Sexual Misconduct, Military.com, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:02:29 GMT