


Navy Capt. Richard Zaszewski was fired on Wednesday as commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group Eight, the service announced.
Rear Adm. Keith Davids, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, made the decision to relieve Zaszewski due “to a loss of confidence in his ability to command,” according to a statement from the Navy that provided no details of what prompted his dismissal.
“Navy leaders are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct,” the statement explained. “They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability, and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards.”
The now-relieved Zaszewski had earned a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, one with a “V” device for valor, the Combat Action Ribbon, a Legion of Merit, an Inherent Resolve Campaign medal, and an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, according to his service record, according to Task & Purpose.
Deputy Commodore Capt. Stig Sanness has assumed the duties of top commodore, and the Navy does not expect the leadership change to affect the group’s readiness.
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The Navy fired 16 commanding officers last year, while at least five military commanding leaders from all service branches have been relieved of duty in the last month or so.
The five fired commanders include the commander of the Air Force’s 628th Medical Group and a commanding officer of an associated squadron; the head of the U.S. Marine Corps School of Infantry-West and the commander in charge of the Reconnaissance Training Company, a subordinate unit; and the captain of the guided missile submarine USS Ohio’s Gold Crew.