Seawolf's Chief

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Seawolf's Chief of the Boat Relieved for 'Performance Issue'

Meghann Myers, Navy Times, Feb 6

 

The attack submarine Seawolf’s chief of the boat was fired Thursday due to unsatisfactory performance, the Navy said.

Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Mark R. Philiposian was relieved of duty by Cmdr. Jeff Bierley, the Seawolf‘s commanding officer, the release said.

Philiposian, 41, has been the COB of Seawolf, homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Wash., since December 2012. He has been administratively reassigned to Submarine Development Squadron 5 in Bangor, Wash., Seawolf’s homeport.

A replacement has not been formally identified, Submarine Force Pacific spokesman Cmdr. Brook DeWalt told Navy Times.

“All options are under consideration, which will include installing a fully qualified chief of the boat,” he said. Command Master Chief (SS/SW) Jared Hofer, Submarine Development Squadron 5’s CMC, is the acting COB.

DeWalt could not elaborate on the circumstances of the relief, only that it was a “performance-based issue” and did not stem from a single incident.

Philiposian enlisted in July 1989 and was previously assigned to Submarine Squadron 1 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, DeWalt said.

Philiposian did not immediately respond to requests for comment via email, Facebook and Twitter. His personal Twitter profile lists him as a “U.S. Navy submariner, proud Chief Petty Officer, husband, dad, yacht racer.”