The U.S. Navy command master chief who told sailors aboard the USS Harry S. Truman before a speech by Vice President Mike Pence to “clap like we’re at a strip club” has resigned over his comment.
Command Master Chief Jonas Carter’s resignation was announced on the Truman’s Facebook page.
“I want one last chance to tell the extraordinary men and women of TRUMAN how blessed and thankful I am to have served as your Command Master Chief,” Carter said in a statement. “When you find yourself making a mistake, own it, accept responsibility and learn from it. Today, I want each of you to know that I have taken full responsibility of my mistake last week and together with my family, I have decided to retire. I thank you for being my ‘family’ where my family could not be … I thank you for looking each challenge in the eye and conquering it … I thank you for making my tour as your Command Master Chief the very best tour in my 28 year career!”
Capt. Nick Dienna, the commanding officer of the Truman, said he supports Carter’s decision and went on to praise his nearly 30 years in the Navy.
“Onboard USS Harry S. Truman, we measure ourselves by the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity,” Dienna said. “I commend Master Chief Carter for having the forthrightness and the courage to uphold this ethos by taking responsibility and holding himself accountable for his comments. I sincerely thank him for his years of devoted service to our Navy and to the men and women of Truman, and I wish him the best.”
Carter’s remark made headlines and was condemned by the ship’s officers.
Shortly after Carter made his strip club comment, CNN reported the issue was being address by the ship’s leadership.
US Navy sailors were instructed to “clap like we’re at a strip club” for Vice President Mike Pence’s arrival https://t.co/mPP7Y0Hgtj pic.twitter.com/InOnGkix5s
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) April 30, 2019
Truman sailors ordered to ‘clap like we’re at a strip club’ for Pence visit. More importantly, who applauds at a strip club? https://t.co/Qn9gDWjs5N pic.twitter.com/GE1ZRcM6Lj
— J.D. Simkins (@simkinsjourno) May 1, 2019
Shortly after Carter made his strip club comment, CNN reported it was being addressed by the ship’s leadership.
“We can confirm that this statement was made by USS Harry S. Truman’s Command Master Chief to Truman’s Sailors, prior to the arrival of the Vice President,” Lt. Cmdr. Laura Stegherr said.”This statement was inappropriate, and this issue is being addressed by Truman’s leadership.”
