The Captain was Stupid?
Well, SecNav doubled down, disparaging Capt Crozier as stupid for not knowing his letter would be broadly distributed.
I would not disparage this courageous commander. If there was error, it was the false hope that the Navy’s highest leadership truly valued the the true source of its ability to defend our country, it’s sailors.
The truth hurts, and the pain can be temporarily relieved by denial. The American people are not blind. The SecNav and his superiors stand naked before the truth.
If the good Captain had cared more for his career than his subordinates, THAT would have been grounds for dismissal.