They were clearly guilty and freely admitted it. The both expressed regret for what they had done. Most importantly to Hunter, one of them was an outstanding chief petty officer. And Hunter had a gut feeling that Martinez could be turned around into a good sailor, given enough time and effort. If he found the charges to be serious or criminal, Hunter would have been bound to hold the two for trial by court-martial when they returned.
Hunter looked directly into the eyes of each one, then he said, “I find you both guilty as charged. Furthermore, I find these violations to be minor and administrative in nature.”
Picking up the Manual for Courts-Martial and turning to the marked page, he read aloud, “The maximum punishment that could be meted out for this violation is a reduction in rank to E-1, forfeiture of half of all pay and allowances for six months, confinement for up to ten years and a dishonorable discharge.”
Turning his gaze up to the two sailors, he continued, “I further find that there are mitigating and extenuating circumstances here and will weigh them accordingly. Chief Richey, what you did is without excuse. I understand the pressures that you were under, but you are expected to withstand those pressures and maintain the highest moral integrity. You didn’t do that and that is a deep disappointment. However, in the time that you have been onboard, you have developed an excellent reputation. Your chain of command, standing here before you, has uniformly praised you.
“Taking that all into account, Chief Petty Officer Richey, I find you guilty as charged and assign the following punishment. You will receive a punitive letter of reprimand that will become part of your permanent service record. Additionally, you are confined to the ship for the next thirty days. Because of your expressed remorse, I am suspending the letter of reprimand for a period of six months. The Executive Officer will explain your rights of appeal after this Mast.
Turning his gaze to the young Seaman, Hunter continued, “Seaman Martinez, have you appeared here at Mast before today?
“Yes, sir. Twice. Once for fighting and once for UA,” he answered.
“As I remember, you were involved in a fracas with the leading torpedoman during a weapons load just after you reported aboard,” Hunter stated.
“Yes, sir. He called me a ‘lazy no good taco eating wetback’ and I punched him. You yelled at us and let us off with a warning,” Martinez replied.
“And why was that?” Hunter asked.
“You said that I had just got here and deserved a chance. You told me to grow up and learn to control my temper. You lectured us both about how we were all one crew and you would not tolerate any of that racial stuff,” Martinez answered.
“And the second time?” the Commander questioned.
“Captain, that was when my girlfriend tried to commit suicide and I needed to get to LA to help her. I just left without telling anyone. You found me at Honolulu airport trying to get a flight out,” Seaman Martinez stated.
“And what happened in that case?” Hunter questioned.
“The crew took up a collection and flew my girlfriend to the Islands. Doc got her in treatment at Tripler. She is getting better. We are getting married as soon as I get back. The boat really came through for us,” Martinez said.
“Now you are here in front of me a third time. In addition to whatever punishment that I deem appropriate for this charge, I could order the Executive Officer to process you for an admin discharge as a habitual offender. Is that what you want?”
“No, sir,” the young sailor answered, his voice quivering. “I want to stay here on the boat. I belong here.”
Retrieving the charge sheet from the table, Hunter looked at the seaman. “Seaman Martinez, I find that you have committed the offense as charged. I sentence you to a reduction in rate to E-1 and forfeiture of half pay for two months. Additionally, you are confined to the ship for thirty days. I am suspending the portions of the sentence for the reduction in rate and the pay forfeiture pending your completion of your General Equivalency Degree for a high school diploma in the next six months. Dismissed,” the Commander concluded gruffly.
After the offenders and everyone else had filed out, Hunter turned to Fagan, “You know, XO, this mast will ruin Chief Richey’s chances of making senior chief for at least ten years and BUPERS will void Martinez’s enlistment contract. He’ll be out on the streets of LA without a job or any prospects of getting one.
“I want you to draft a reply to that message from SUBPAC and tell them what the investigation found. Make sure that you tell them about that Senior Chief and the climate at LA. I want SUBPAC to know that, in at least that one office, falsifying records was normal and accepted. The Navy needs to investigate to determine if it went any higher. Tell them that we held a Mast and that the results will be sent through normal admin channels."
Hunter picked up his coffee cup and took a sip. "You know how screwed up the ship’s office is. I expect that they would probably lose the paperwork before it was ever sent.”
“Skipper,” Fagan protested. He was proud of the ship's office. It was his personal responsibility and they worked hard. Hard enough to be awarded Squadron "Admin A" last year.
