The commanding officer of the USS Stout, Cmdr. Jeffrey Applebaugh, was removed from his job last week after losing the confidence of his commander, the Navy said in a statement. (U.S. Navy)
The commanding officer of the USS Stout was removed from his job last week after losing the confidence of his commander, the Navy said in a statement Monday.
Cmdr. Jeffrey Applebaugh was fired Friday by Capt. Blair Guy, the commodore of Destroyer Squadron 28, citing “loss of confidence in his ability to command,” according to the statement. Applebaugh had commanded the guided-missile destroyer since October when he took command after serving as the ship’s executive officer for more than 18 months. The USS Stout is based at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
Applebaugh has not been accused of criminal conduct and is not the subject of an investigation, said Lt. Cmdr. Dave Carter, a spokesman for Naval Surface Force Atlantic. The Navy declined to provide additional details about Applebaugh’s removal.
Applebaugh has been temporarily assigned to the staff of the commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic, according to the Navy statement.
A post on the Stout’s Facebook page published Sunday thanked Applebaugh for his time in command.
“Thank you for your dedication, your kindness, your professionalism, your compassion, your understanding, your commitment to the ship and its crew, and their safety and well-being, your knowledge, and your mentorship,” the Facebook post reads. “Most of all, thank you for always putting the ship and the crew first. Good luck, and we will continue to get [Stout] ready for battle.”
Applebaugh was serving in his third position aboard the Stout. He had served as the ship’s operations officer from 2013 to 2014 and its executive officer from March 2021 to September 2022 before taking its helm, according to the Navy.
The Navy said Applebaugh’s removal would not impact the ship’s operations.
Navy Capt. Scott Rosetti has taken temporary command of the USS Stout until its next commander, Cmdr. Desmond Walker, can take permanent command. Carter said that should occur later in the summer.
