The four-star admiral set to become the Navy's top officer on August 1 will instead retire, an extraordinary downfall prompted by what Navy Secretary Richard Spencer called poor judgment regarding a professional relationship.
The sudden move by Adm. William Moran, announced Sunday, may add to the perception of turmoil in the Pentagon's senior ranks, coming less than a month after Pat Shanahan abruptly withdrew from consideration to be defense secretary after serving as the acting secretary for six months.
Leaders of the individual military services, both civilian and uniformed, play less critical roles in national security than the defence secretary, and they are not in the chain of military command.
But they are responsible for ensuring that the armed forces are trained, equipped and prepared for combat and other roles.
Moran had been vetted for promotion to the top uniformed position in the Navy, nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate in May to succeed Adm. John Richardson as chief of naval operations and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Instead, Moran said in a written statement Sunday evening that he told Spencer he decided to decline his appointment as the next chief of naval operations and requested to be allowed to retire.
"As painful as it is to submit my request to retire, I will not be an impediment whatsoever to the important service that you and your families continue to render the nation every day," Moran wrote.
Spencer said his vision for the Navy includes "an urgent resolve by all" to live up to high standards.
"Adm. Bill Moran recently brought to my attention that over the past two years he maintained a professional relationship with an individual who was held accountable and counselled for failing to meet the values and standards of the Naval profession," Spencer said in a written statement Sunday evening.
"While I admire his faithful service and commitment to the Navy, this decision on his part to maintain that relationship has caused me to call his judgment into question. Therefore, today I accepted Adm. Moran's request to retire."
"This is terrible news for the Navy, and beyond that, I don't have anything to add."
Moran said his decision to decline his appointment and to instead retire was based also on what he called an open investigation into "the nature of some of my personal email correspondence over the past couple of years."
"I understand how toxic it can be to any team when inappropriate behaviour goes unrecognised and unchecked. Every Sailor is entitled to serve in an environment free of harassment or intimidation."
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