Capt. Paul Choate was relieved of his duty on Aug. 31 “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command,” the Navy announced Wednesday. (U.S. Navy)

WASHINGTON — The commanding officer of the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic in Virginia Beach was fired last week by the service. 

Capt. Paul Choate was relieved of duty on Aug. 31, the Navy said.

The command at Naval Air Station Oceana is responsible for depot-level maintenance on aircraft and aviation-related equipment across the Navy’s fleet.

“Navy commanding officers are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct. They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards,” the Navy said in a statement. 

Capt. Richard Foster, executive officer of Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic, has taken over the post and was scheduled to assume command in December.

Choate, after serving in his current role since July 2020, has been reassigned to Fleet Readiness Centers headquarters.

Born in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Choate is a 37-year career sailor who first enlisted in the Navy in September 1986 and was commissioned in 1996, according to his Navy biography. 

He served aboard the USS John C. Stennis, USS Makin Island and USS Carl Vinson. Choates’ awards include the Bronze Star, four awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, six awards of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and two awards for the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. 

Choate is at least the sixth Navy commander relieved this year over “loss of confidence.” 

No details of the reason for the dismissals have been released.