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Navy Issues Letter of Censure for Bahrain Military Working Dog Division Incidents

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091021-37
Release Date: 10/21/2009 3:41:00 PM

From Navy Office of Information

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, today issued a letter of censure to a senior chief for his involvement in hazing incidents that took place in the Military Working Dog (MWD) Division at Naval Security Force Bahrain from 2004-2006.

The letter of censure to Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Michael Toussaint was recommended by Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, following his evaluation of a Navy Installations Command review of actions taken after a 2007 investigation into the hazing incidents. After reviewing the investigation and the CNIC report, Roughead found that the incidents were not in keeping with Navy values and standards and violated the Navy's longstanding prohibition against hazing.

The letter expresses adverse criticism of Toussaint's conduct and performance of duty during his assignment as leading chief petty officer of the MWD division and will become a part of his permanent military record. Additional actions will also be taken, including cancellation of Toussaint's enlistment extension, which will result in him leaving active duty and retiring in January 2010. Further, prior to leaving active duty status and retiring, Toussaint will be subject to a retirement paygrade determination, a process that provides a recommended retirement paygrade to the Secretary of the Navy.

Pending the completion of his paygrade determination and retirement, Toussaint has been removed from his current leadership position and reassigned to administrative duties at Naval Special Warfare Group 2 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va. where he will not be in a position of leadership.

Roughead has also directed the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to conduct additional interviews with Navy officers formerly stationed in Bahrain to gather information beyond that contained in the original command investigation.