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 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
COMMANDER AMPHIBIOI.IS SQTIADRON TWO
LrNtT 5003t
FPO AEtxtsor-sff)l

5800
scr 00/125
7 Dec 09

From: Comnander, Aqrhibious Squadron TWO

To: Conunander, Erqreditsionary Strike Group TWo

Subj: COMMAIID fII\IESTIGATION INTO AI'IJEGATfONS OF All INAPPROPRIATE

REI.ATIONSHIP BETWEBI TITE COMMAI{DING OFFICER AIID MEDICA! OFFICER
ONBOARD USS FORT MEHE}IRY (I,SD 43) BETWEEN ON OR AAOUT JI'LY 2OO9
A}ID DECEMBER 2OO9

Ref: (a) ,tAGl.lAl.I, Chapter ff

(b) oPNAVTNST s370.2C

EncL: (1) AppointmenB letter

(21 statemcnt of Chr M. SCopyra, CDR, USN
(3) statement of [lDL t, LT, MC, USN
(4', Statement of Brian , CDR, USN
(s) statemenE of tlbl t l-\ .rr, CMDCM, USN
(6) gtatement of t lktltalj IJT, usN
(7) statement of Jlp*ug3 , r,T, usN
(8) statement of ltgt'lY-*t , LT, usN
(e) Statement ot -frdftirt LT, USN
(10) Stsatement of trnWRI r.T,fc, UsN
(11) SEatement of, 1g!P/,4^ , LTJG, usN
(12) Statement of J';*r"i:-Yg , ENg" USN
(13) SEatement of ;lft;r.Pq a, ENS, USN
(14) Statement qf (f,VY.ffr) , tbls, USN
(1s) Statement o.
-$[*.tilt"Ll-- E, gNS, gSN
(16) Statement of t+fqtrl{{i',i\ 8Ns, UsN
(17) staEement of EEf&rl\. - , c'tvo2, usN
(18) Statemcnt of LILD| IIt ) I ewo2, USN
(1e) statemenr of fldtttlS Hl,tcs, usN
(20 ) statement of ilN.fr,D, cscs, usN
(zL't SEatement of VrZt4U.-
-WLtttl^ oscs, usN
(22't stat,ement of WLtttl- y ., iic,
HTc, usg
u
(23 ) Statement of Ql'5111X7 r, Mc2, usN
124', Email Dated 2? .ruly'2009 Subj: coso cH-1
(2s') Ernail Dated L? August, 2009Subj: FY10 SEaff 04 List
(26') Email Dated 5 August 2009 Subj: Re:
(27', Enall Dated 24 Augrust 2009 Subj: RE:090824
(28') Emall Daeed 28 Auguet 2009 subj: RE: Bahrain OvernighE
LibcrEy
(2el Enail Datcd 29 Augusts 2009 Subj: RE: I GITESS STAYING IS ltlE
HARD PART
(30) Email Dated 29 Augiust 2009 Subj: RE: Deployment Awards as
of 29AUG09
( Email Dated 3t Augarst 2009 Subj: RE:
31)
(32 ) Email Dated 31 August 2009 subj: advice
(33 ) Email Dated 31 August 2oo9 subj: RE: o'veraight I/P BAH
(34) Emall Dated I scptenber 2009 Subj: RE: TEANKS
(3s ) Email Dated 9 September 2009 Subj: RE:
(36) EnEil Dated 12 September 2009 Subj: we really sbouldn't
plck on the weak aad the r'tarded
(37) Email. Dated 13 Scptenber 2009 subj: RE: world'a greaEest
dad
 subj: CoMMAIID rNvEsrrcATroN rlrro ATJIJEGATToNS oF AN rNAppRopRrATE
RELATIONSHTP BETWEEN THE COMMAITDING OFFICER AI{D MEDTEAIJ OFFTCER
OIIBOARD USS FORT MCIIENRY (I,SD 43) BETI{EEN ON OR ABOIIT,JUIJY 2OO9
AIID DECEMBER 2OO9

(38) Email Dared 1E September 2009 Subj: RE:

(39) Email Dated 16 September 2oO9 subj: RE: t{ardroom Etiguctce
(40) Email Dated 15 September 2009 Subj: long, Eorry
(41) Email. Dated 20 September 2009 Subj: RE: t0ardroom Etlquerte
(42) Email Datsed 25 Septsernber 2009 Subj: RE: RE IrR CAIJr
(43) EnEil DaEed 17 October 2009 Subj:
(44) Email Datsed 30 Octobcr 2009 Subj: :)
(45) Enail Dated 3 November 2009 Subj:
(45) Email Dated 3 November 2009 Subj: RE:
(47) Email Dated 5 November 2009 Sllbj: RE: GOOD WORKOIIT?
(48) Email DaEed 7 November 2009 Subj: R8: FY10 OPERjATIONAIJ RISK
MANAGEMEM APPLTEATION Al{D IMrEGR.ATIONCOTJRSE / OSTETSZ UOV
09 sMN 00447 /3L009
(49) Enail Dated I November 2009 Subj: RE: LUNCH?
(50) Email Dated 24 Novernlcer 2009 Subj: RE: Admin Reviews During
TRANSLA}IT
(51) Ernail Dated 26 November 2OO9 Subj: RE: 9 MII'E HOLE-not
Hungry
(52) EnraiL Dated 30 Novenber 2oo9 Subj: RE: ToTlilTY
(53) Ernail Da.ted 2 December 2009 Strbj: RE:
(54) Biography of CDR Chrietopher Stopyra
Preliminafv Statement
This Conunand Investigation waE convened in order t,o gaiD a
complete view of facts eurrounding the relationehip betsween tbe
conunanding officer..(CO), CDR Christopher Stopyra and che medical
officer tr'rol lr vwLu;ll onboard uss FpRT McnENRy. AIl
reasonably availablle evide{rce and teeti.monv has .been collccted.
COII{PHfBRON TwO Staff ,tudge Advocate Ad htf\, , LT, ,'AGC, USN waE
coneulted during the course of this irlvdBtEgAfton.
Findings of Fact
1. All-witnEqses inEerviewed other than @R Stopyra, CDR Goldscbmidt,
.o. relationship was inappropriate or unduly
?*riw?JJr:.*ili
2. MoEt witnesses interviewed have said Uhey have not seen evidence of
physical cotrtact. lencls 4, 5 and 7-23'!
and L@.{{rD perpetual libertv buddies. [EocI 5-
i;, Sirii"n"'" ""
4. CMC had a conversation with XO around the middle of September about
the relationship beEween CDR Stopyra and LT XO told CMC that
the issue had been dealt with at that time. [EncI 5l
5. CMC brought tshe relationship up again on 1 December 2009. Again,
XO told the CMC that nothing was going on and thie waE a quarrcl
between department heade. [Encl 5]
5. Ihere are rumors of a You Tube Video of CDR SEopyra "ta r,r(fu{7il
holding hands on the beach together. lEncl 5, 22J \ '- " )
subj: COMMAND IIfIIESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATTONS OF AN INAPPROPRIATE
FAI.ATIONSHIP BETI{EEN THE COMMANDING OFFICER AND MEDICAIJ OFFICER
ONBOARD USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) BETWEEN ON OR ABOUT .]I'LY 2OO9
AI{D DECEMBER 2OO9

7. peopJ-e trave seen enrer ehe co,s Erareroom uaing the

combination. [Enc1 Y " -J
5i".fblbT\
8. Some in ttre Chief's mes6 bel-ieve Medical is a favored department.
lEncl 5l
9. SaiLors gee favoritiem for ttre Medical staff due to uhe
cDR stopvra a"d' Lvlfu|) whether it existE or
;:l:tfiffl'B,T;i'en
l-0. Rumors of ,.arld.iokes abouE, a rom€rnEic relaEionship between CDR
stopyra anA r,@XQ]) around the wardroom, Chief's MesE and among
Ehe junior Sailors. [Encl"ru 5-8, 11-13, L6, 20, 2L, 23)
11. e1l bueineEe must be completed wiEh the CO by 1900 or 2000 cvery
day. [Enc1 5, 8]
L2. cMC speaks nitb the co on a daii.y basie, but the conversations have
not, been as long or in depth as they were before the CO began closing
his door at 1900. lEncl 5]

13. CMC believes theEe rumors have taken away from CDR Stopyra's
success as a conrmander because it is a distracEion for the wardroom €rnd
crevr. [Enc1 5]
14. Because CDR Stopyra ueed to go running and sonverge witsh other
department heads when he fireE 6lriyed.*and now he no l,onger interacts
with other department, heads, LTWL(fl ) , the Operatione Officer (O5rs)
believes CDR Stopyra has lessenets his- fvailability to the departmeat
headE and wardroom since the beginning of deployment. lEncl 6]

r.s. In Bahrain , LTEDIQ|I n.nt on overni-sht liberty with cDR slopyra,

but did not sign out-on ov6rnight liberty ald CDR Stopyra did not give
an overnight. locat,ion. [Enc1 5, 8]
15. After not knowing the whereabouts of either.CDR Stopyra or LT
., Shore Patrol eventualJ.y accounEed for everyone including fhe
CO and MO fron the BOQ reservation lisE. [Encl 6]

77. AE no point during deploynent wtren Ltuf{tpN ,nent on liberty with

CDR Stopyra did she sigm ouu on liberty. tEncl-5( Lo, ].3)
18. -In Salalah, cDR Stopyra, CDR Goldschmidts and the Liaison Officer,
LtcolEDtUiD ana r,@[-]a went out to dinner. :ltr;[?i/t;":) waE the '
only oYficer who was Yrot arf O-5. [Enc1 5]
Ls . cDR scopyra and arrj-ve a! wardroom funcbions togetber
Euch as a rug f1op, a"t(9{J[/i,
ov-vieiftzand a wet.ting down. fEncl 5, 7l
20. The ship was unable bo corrtact. cDR stopyra or LWXbjlr in nota
Spain. When his phone was called, it went to a Spanieh rec6tding which
the Husbanding agent said meant, the phone was off eo iE was imposEibla
for the officers to geg in touch with CDR Stopyra. lBncl 5J
Subj: COMIvIAND IN\IESTIGATION INIO ALIJEGATIONS OF .AI{ INAPPROPRXATE
RELATIONSIIIP BETWEEN THE COMMAIIDING OFFICER A]ID I{EDICAL OFFICER
ONBOARD USS FORT MCHEX{RY (I.,SD 43) BETWEEN ON OR ABOIJI!
'JIILY 2009
AI{D DECEMBER 2OO9

2L. *@t6)\ goes into the ga).ley to prepare salads for cDR stopyra
at dinne-r" [EfcI 4, 6-9, L7)
22. cDR suopyra and go to the galley at 0s3o and prepare
"Wbf\'
each otsher eggs before 5'redkf{st hours start. lEncl 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 13]
-r
)\ has brought dirty dishes from the Co'E stateroom to the
Wry- [EncI 6J
24. .Iunior officers avoid eatinq in bhe wardroom at the game time as
cDR sropyra and .
"@ttp}l tnnci ,
e 8l
-b{lrt\ in convergation in the
25. CDR Stopyra onJ-y engages LT[.1
wardroom. He does not engage any btlidr funior officers in conversation.
lEnc1 6l
26. In the beginning of cruise, there \iras an impromptu movie night
r{rit,h che.department heads in the eo's Etateroom. gince that instance,
onfy !@ lfut\ has wat,ched movies wiEh CDR stopyra in his staberoom.
Ttrey wat-h movies together often. lEncl 2, 3, 6,. 8, 9, !!, 16]

27. L{bDttp}\ the chief Ensineer(CHEI{9),.,.rya1aIarmed bv the

relat,ion-ship &'4,ween CDR Stopyra and tTlf[ll{-LD \ cowarde the beginning
of deployment,. [EncI 7l | "r

28. Tbere is a perception tna. T.rtful{rl,

- 'J has the co's ear more thaa
other departsment heads. [Enc1 7]
2s. does nor believe his relationship with Ehe-co hae been
"{6IbJ1
af fect&. by,the relatsionship between cDR sEopyra and r,rw(bl\
however, it could have an effect on the relationship with-other "
department heads. lEncl 7]
brought up behavior with xo in
or July. lEncl 8]
"Utry 'rune
3X. CDR Stopyra's door is only open about 50t of the E,ime during the
day. [Enc1 8]
been in cDR stopyra's oflice behind closed door1.
i3;"r"#9D'has
33. L{bttl^l is in cDR stopyra's office behind closed doors after
Ehe "noa-usine6s hours" and as late as 2300. [Enc1 8, L71
34. cDR ,Mtt!)]eats almost every meal together, by
stopyra and
t,hemselvee,daily. [Enc1 8, L3'115, L7J
35. LflHfuJl.ir.*rirst LT, doee not see much mentorship from cDR
StopyraY AfLdr LTtl4&l'-ibrought, it, Eo his attention that most of the
lvardtoom did not haf6'n{uch amphibious warfare ocperience, he thoughE
CDR Stopyra would train the officers. However, CDR Stopyra mainly
reprimanded the officere for not, knowing anawers to the questions.
lEnc]. el
 subj: coI'{MA}rD rNvBsrreATroN rNTo .ArJrrEGATroNs oF At{ rNAppRopRrATE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMAIIDING OFFICER A}.ID MEDTCAI/ OFFICER
OIIBOARD USS FORT MC}IENRY (LSD {3) BEIrWEEN ON OR ABOIIT JUI,Y 2OO9
AND DECEMBER 2OO9

38. L@(fjl""s liberry buddies earry on wirh LrtrD{&)\ she

suggested ts}cy go on liberty with other peopre Eo "they -vnr6ra not raise
suepici-ons of fraternization or too crose of a reLat,ionship. [Encl gl
31. pushee issues very hard. rf orher officers have an
issue"fftfuIt
wfkh hdrl she goes to the CO. lEnct B, 9l
and cDR stopyra work out and eat at the same t,ime.
i:;"r"]@{rD
3e. ,{bLtlDwill ger ice cream for cDR sropyra and bring ir ro his
sEatero&. Thfs was noti.ced, at leasts once, in pr clothes. [Enc].9, L2)

;:; -:PJ{o$;T::":l"j'f:::: i;,:i ilu *o ro rhe xo's arbenrion

41. offi&t) rhe supply orricer (SUPPO), went, direct.ly to CDR Stopyra
wieh the food-preparaEion issue. He acknowledged the coqllaint but
took no action. lEncl 9]
42. r,rpltlf"enr an e-mail on t-E seprember r. ind.icaring
"t@aN inapproprj.ate
issues with.dhe food preparation aE well- aE the perceive?
rerationship and copied tbe.so and xo. r,Tmd/lrTt sent two reapongeg
borhanraso,,i"_r.i,lf l;"&5f;15""313f 3;::"gg*1"r1"":il:$"":::::"ffi :'
sent it to l,dtrklLt l ) tEncr sI
43 - rhe issue of an unduly familiar rerarionship ro
"t6/[-0n
tshe XO "r""i. as we1l.
in SeFtember [Enc]. 9l
44. A short time before this investigabion, during Iunch, the wardroom
became crowded and the only open seat at the main table wa€ tlre co,g.
There were open seaLs at, sid.e _tables. gDR stopyra and, tt(p iLra l\ ,'
arrived at rhe same rime. r,ftDttT\., seeing no seau ueb-ffe iiJed,"
:

seat said someEhing to the eftEct of: ,,I g:uess f,ll come back later,"
and 1eft. They boeh returned a half hour later, after the yrard,roon had I
cleared, and ate lunch together, alone. lEncl 9, L2J
4s. r,r@b1)Delieves acts as thoush ghe iE of equal rank
to CDR StopyrS. [encl 9]"StUil.)
.'; .:WA s, ion
"*::ff :"":n"il*mi?) ;ffi :T"::i lB : ;;rnbina'l
47 . An officer placed a menu at i}r.s: _chair next, to the CO, g with 'rDoc'
writben at the top as a joke. rT,Idfry[afqpicked. up rhe menu, r,hraw it
out and said "This does not belongEn"-t$A wardroom.,, [Encl 10!
4a. *@t[t flhas been referred ro aE *rhe caprain, E Beoo or
girlfriend. IEntl i-01

49. hag angwered a closed door in rhe co, s srareroom, where

"tmllb,f\
the two bere-at'one. [Enc] 12, 14-161
 Subj: COMMA!{D IIWESTIGATION IN|O ALLEGATIONS OF A}I fNAPPROPRIATE
REI,ATIONSIIIP BETWEEN TIIE COMMANDING OFFfCER AIID MEDICAT OFFICER
oNBOARD USS FORT MCITENRY (LSD 43) BETWES{ ON OR ABOUr ,JUIJY 2009
AAID DECEMBER 2OO9

s0. F:N{/2{t/jfr, new to the Navy, believed the CO brought his wife on
deploymeffi '#fltd tri* the f irsr time he Eaw LTIfLlr--l-\ , in the co,e
stsateroom. [Enc1 12J VftAJ)
51. CO and MO were seen splashing each other in tbe hotel pooJ. in
Ornan. lEncl ].2, L5, 151
52. ilordanians onboard for VBSS training thoughe CDR Stopyra and LT
were married. lEncl t2)
@UU
is. wt.r, capt QJ,Lbt , Deputy Commander Anphibioue Sguadron Tl{O
and LT frt4'|Lbf. a sratt ,rudge Advocare Arphibious Squadron TWo
:::,1:"q*k?];,
arriveo-bh tshd {trip, the wardroom and crew k4ew i3 was becauge of the
relationship between Ehe cDR Stopyra arrd, LTW{fuI [Encl 12]

s4. In Oman, CDR Sropyra and ,-fu)fu)lwere in one pool ar the hoteL,
but when other officers from the ship afrived, they moved to a
different poo1, away from the wardroom. lBncl 17]
55. The Chief's mess Eied on a vote for who would make Junior Sailor
of Ehe Year between an HM2 and another sailor. The tie was broken and
the Chief'F Yeps reconmended a different Sailor. CDR Stopyra choee thc
rut2. wrc{Iii|j\ wanted to f ind out why because deepite uliieving his
Sailor (gMz) de6erved it, he thought he should support the Chief,s
Mess- [EncI 19]

s6. ,*.ffiJLUI\ berieves rtfuffii

is one of the best medical-
officers lie has/worked with iitrt i-s/concerned for tshe repuEaEion of }rie
department. [Enc1 ]-9I
co and Mo eatins French frieE from Ehe
zr^;" iizffiuk?hl;i """"d
58. The situation between cDR stopyra aa wffifil rr"" 90Etsen to thc
point, where FSA's do noE wang t.o work in t,he fr'raioon{ or for tshe co
anymore. [Enc]- 20 , 22)
59. FSA's have not. been allowed to vacuum CDR Stopyra'E
-221
room or make
his bed because already had.. tEncl 20,
Q{fu))r
60.- Both officers and FSA's avoid tshe wardroom due to CDR Stopyra and
rEncl 2oI
"{btlt;-
61. Four (4) out of the eight (8) flag letters to the ship were given
to the medical department, whieh is the smallest on the ehip. lEncl 20]
62. rt@tki\
wfren r,o rhe MC shop ro ger a movie, MC,e will
make "o*""and she will sometsimes respond: "I don't think
a suggestion t6 her
the skipper would like that." While MC,s don't know for sure if she is
watsching movies with CDR Stsopyra, lrer et,atementE seem to indicate shc, ,

does. [Encl 23]

53. cDR stopyra, cDR coldschmidr and tTEqt{Z/)"fr believe rhar rhe
relationship between cDR Stopyra and lr(Dlbfiis appropriare. cDR

6
 Subj: COMMAIID INVESTfGATTON rNTO ALLEGATIONS OF AN INAPPROPRIATE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMANDING OFFICER AT.ID MEDICAII OFFICER
ONBOARD USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) BETWEEN ON OR ABOUT JUI,Y 2OO9
A}ID DECEMBER 2OO9

stopyra stated. the only physieat contact between him and r,tl610D\ yras
a handshake or fist bump- [Enc]. 2-41 r'*- -- r )

54. CDR Sgopyra claims Ehat atL departtt1q4-l heada are invited to movic
night, but iL i" usually just he l@10) .. [EncI 2]
"ita
55. CDR Stopyra consider" LT@\(|JD a confidante. He began to depend
on her as a confidante due to the E*-ecut,ive Officer'E (CDR Goldechmidt)
inability to execute orderg from CDR gtopyra. [Encl 2]
55. CDR St,opyra c1+igrQ /tllat the f irsE time the issue of hie
relationship with o'dlbJt U]J beins inappropriate came up was 1 December
2009. lEncl 2]
,--J .
e z. rr\plg\
\ claims she doee not have any special privilege with
Stopyra in hei statement. [Enct 3]
CDR

Gs. l{p161 and cDR Goldechmidr borh berieve tirar lr@l{aT}, ana
cDR St,opyraafe liberty buddies because they are close in age Erd do
not have the same interests as the other department heads. [Enc]- 3, -41
6s. cLaims rhar rhe arlegarions r,har her retarionship ie
j-nappropriate
"t@trl)a is based on professional jealousy. [Enc1 3i
7o. ,&tte; claims that the otlrer department head.s have a poor
underst,anding-of the corsnanding officer'e training philosophy. lEncl 3l
71. CDR Goldschmidt claime he discuseed the issue of the department
heads believing_ there is an inappropriate relationship between CDR
:!oPYti.and r,r[0fto)f" augusi-or sepLember and on 1 Decedber 2009.
lEncl 4l /
72. rn an e-mail dated 2't Ju!y,2o0s LTmifuif agke about standing
order #14, a fictional order where s-[e.can do ilhatever she likea. In a
separate e-mail dated 17 August, r,T[btAD thanks the ep -for putting
SO #14 in writing- In another e-mail on 5 November, Ll<n}tLtr'j\
b]-atantly states to CDR Stopyra that the t,wo of them ean*do ltlfatever
they want. [EncI 24, 25, 471
79. In an e-mail dated 6 Augrust, CDR Stopyra aEkE if the otsher
departsment heads should be inviged to their movie night. LT
says no and that she does not want to "pander to jealous junior high
school bullshit" and they should not invite other department headg.
lEncl 261

74. rn an e-mail chain on 24 Auglrst, gives a condeecending

"rfuibi) She foruards her responsc
critique to the Training Officer's scbedule.
Eo her husband who supportss her handl-ing of it, then forwards her
husband's response to CDR Stopyra. [Enc1 27]
75. rn e-mai1s, i,r@{b\]orten insults fellow department heads to
CDR stopyra ca]ling them 'tncompetent," "stoogeg,o and even callg the
XO ineffective. lEncl 28, 36, 37, 48)
 Subj: COMMAIID INVESTTGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS OF AN INAPPROPRIATE
REI,ATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMAIIDING OFFICER AIID MEDTCAL OFFICER
ONBOARD USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) BET'IEEN ON OR ABOUT JUIJY 2OO9
A}ID DECEMBER 2OO9

76. While no witnesses ever saw any physical contact, e-nails between
the cO and MO refer to LT ffnlbfisivins cDR,Stopyra back rubs, him
runnins his fingers trrrous'ffh8;YfJlr leaving cDR
Stopyra's stateroom after he has fallen""iasleEp-.-
"rfffl.Efl
[Edcl 29, 30]
77. Within the e-mails which overtly discueg some inappropriate
physical contact, there are al.so unclear and apparently coded mecrsagee
about a "b1ack cami" and "plan b." whatever plan b is, it, iE meant Co
relax CDR Stopyra. [EncI 30, 31]
?8. cDR stopyra and in e-mails Eo disEance themgelves
"t@i[U]]plan
from tbe rest of the Wardroom,-including hanging a "do no disturb" sign
on CDR Stopyra's stateroom door. [Enc]- 351
79. They refer to other members of the wardroom aE 'kids" and liberty
as a tsime to get away from them, and. r"t@{.bTl Ai""usses lrays to not
have to sign outs on liberty or comply with litferty policies put out by
CTF 51. lEncl 32, 33, 471

80. cDR stopyra coordinated with to sit alone with her at

meaLs, avoiding "ilWLO) [Ene1 49]
tbe rest of the wardroom.
81. purchased a porta.ble DvD player for rhe two of ehem co
"tlPJ{IeD
share. When CDR Stopyra offered to repay her, she refused. lEncl 34]

82. CDR SEopyra gave Lr(hdu?D\use of ehe co's sedan on numerous

occasions, with LT @.lLtOf:l thanking CDR Stopyra that she did not have
to wait for a bus arid sldfd in the heat of Bahrain like the reEL of the
shlp and couLd do "whatever I want, etc." lErrcl 34, 45J
83. t@Lbfeent an e-maiL on l-G september outlining both the
inapprop-riatefess of CDR :it r ..a and r,T &il&f.fpreparing their own
food in the galley, _ ae well ae the pereeived irrdppropriateness of their
relationshipi r,r@Jtbl*"" the addreEsee and cDR Slopyra and CDR
GoldschmidE were carbon-copied. lEncl 39-41]

84. LTrelLb)>n her e-mail on t 6 Seprember, uses langruage such a9 *r

amin an awkwald position", "Please', and "Thank you." lElcl 39'41]
8s. r,t[bJklT\ in her response on ].5 september, tells her to "watch
what you-puu rfi.-*riting", "I inviEe you not to insult my food choicee,
they are far healthier than anything you offer, " t\J aetually have
responsibilities to combat readiness," and "if you are fooking where to
asslgn blame for walking inEo the t{ardroom pantry, you ought, to look in
the miror.' [EncI 39-41]
-BE. rn a second response to r.rWJ)^":T?i1, Lr
@tg1"what, r erq)ect from you". Tetrci-sg-arl "t@I6Dte11E
87. tt@ttO)\ claims to not know it is inappropriate to enter the
wardroom pantrf. [Enc1 40]
88. never to enter the pantry to prepare food asain
on 16"tt1\{D]pledges
September. lEncl 40, 41]
 Sttbj: COMMAND INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATTONS OF ASI INAPPROPRIATE
REIJATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMANDING OFFICER A}TD MEDICAI' OFFTCER
oNBOARD USS FORT MCHENRy (LSD 43) BETWEEN ON OR ABOUT ,II'I,Y 2009
A}ID DECEMBER 2OO9

8e. plan wi.th cDR stopyra to enter the pantry to nrake

coffee "ffi{p1)makes
aY 0500-on 17 october and aske CDR Stopyra to tell "the IG (LT
to back off if she starts bitching alout it." [Enc1 a3]
@U[4)\r)
so.- lrfip[tiil entire reaponse was sent to cDR stopyra for vetting.
He did ndt, maKe/any changes t.o her propoeed reeponEe. lEncl 38, 40]
91. trfhljpl\claims that the allegations of an inappropriate
relations-nrd 6de "slander". [EncJ" 38-4]-j
92. On Oct,ober Stopyra gends an email with smil.ey emoticons
30, CDR
which reads 2 --/, .n
*Good post work-out,@f,1.2\ , said the drippitrg man with no
"
shirt. "Time for a shower,'rhe thoughL as he made a pool of waler
on the deck by his deek. "but a field trip would be fun, " he
mused. "Oh well," hB smiled. [Encl 44]
93. on 25 sepeernber, r,T[biUil-ls}tsends an.e-mail whieh scates in part:
"Ewwv{w, f can't rememlcer-ttid time you cal-Ied me "Doco . I don't
l-ike it." [Ensl 421
J,
94. E-mails between cDR stopyra and LTl.&l[t1t] include multiple sniley
faces which are blue and pink, the pink-smi16y face having yellow
quotation marks tso represent blond hair, as well as a request for LT
WttOn to come up for something other than busineEs, referencee to
Vagisll, tanpons in coffee, and "bubterfly kisses...dark chocolate-.:red
wine".. making lemonade..." [EncI 45, 50, 51-53]

95. CDR Stopyra took eommand of the USS FORT MCHENRY in t"tay 2OO9.
[Encl 54]

OPINIONS

r. The relationship beEr^reen cDR sEopfra and {i=WU\ a was unduly

familiar and clearly constitutes fraternizationvas a5finea by OPNAVINST
s3?0.2C. CDR Seopyra and r.r@Jfgn spent too much time Log;ther, boEh
on the ship and while on liberty. /cDR Stopyra maintains that LT
ElLfpf: , "-r th. medical officer, was his confid.ante and they Epent a
-tot of time together because ber deggg:tment had a "pulse on the ehip".
Yet most of his interactions with LTI-$OLlb-l were of a peraonal nature,
not professional. Their habit of prefarinf meals for each other,
eating breakfast together before normal meal hours, alwaye sittiug
togetsher in the wardroom, the significant amount of tsime epent together
in the CO's cabin as well as the extensive amount of time tbey spent
togetber on liberEy a.re a few examplee of an inappropriate relationship
between a department head and her eommanding officer. Mditionally,
the tone and topics of discr,lssion contained in the e-mail exchanges
bebween CDR stopyra and lt!pt[t71 :e clearly unduly farniliar and
lmproper coneidering ttreir -d-iffer6nce in rank and Eheir respective
positsions in the cornmand. IFF 3,7 ,L9 t2t-23,26,32-
34 , 3 8 ,39 , 44 , 49 ,57 , 65 , 80 ,8! , 92J

9
 Subj: COMIYIAI{D INVESTIGATfON INTO ALLEGATIONS OF AN INAPPROPRIATE
REIATIONSHTP BETWEEN THE COMMANDING OFFIEER AI\TD MEDICAI OFFICER
ONBOARD USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) BET!{EEN ON OR ABOtIr JTTIJY 2009
A}ID DECEMBER 2OO9

2 . Nearly ere5lrpllFi
r\nt.erviewed believed the relationship between CDR
Stopyra and L!.tY|!vrlwas unduly familiar and inappropriate. OnIy CDR
stoiyra, r,T l:LbicLtlnd cDR Goldschmidr, the execur,ive off icer,
believed that the r-elationship was aDpropriate. .funior officers
witneseed cDR ssopyra and LTtrbfL?5)'spllshing each other in the pool
while on liberty in oman and found the behavior improper. . One young
officer, who had reeently reported onboard, noticed LrfibJtt4fi\ in the
co's cabj.n watching a movie with her hair down and belibved "s+le was the
CO's wife. This perception was aLgo shared by visiting ,Jordanian
officers on an exchange visit who asked if iE vras conmon in Ehe US Na\ry
for a comrnanding officer to bring his wife on deployment. Even newly
reporE,ed Ensigns with no previous operational experience in tshe Narry
quickly recognized that, the relationehip was unuEual- and outside tbe
bounds of proper behavior and military protocol. IFF 1,27,50-54,631
3. There is r1g-g.onc{usive proof that the relat.ionship between CDR
stopyra arrd, r'"d&LQrr was romantic. only one person interrriewed statscd
*thgy aaw any form ofphysical contact between CDR Stopyra and LT
tlFtbjl r. However, that claim couLd not be corroborated ry anyone elee
who w5s present at the event. AlL tshe other crew members interviewed
stated that ttrey had never qTitnqssed any physical contact between the
two. Both cDR Slopyra and r,TW)tbJ1 srat-ea-thats the relationehip was
not physicaL. CDR Stopyra Etated ttfat the only instances of phygical
cont,act between the two were hand shakes and fist, bumps. However,
several personal e-mailg exchanged betlveen CDR Stopyra and LT mitb{n
suggests that there may have been a physicaL component to theii- "-'/
relationship including back rukrs and running his fingers througb her-
hair. Whether a romant,ic reLationship exisEed or not is immaterial in
this particular case. A sexual relatsionship is not required for
fraternization Eo exist. Even if it is certsain EhaE CDR Stsopyra and LT
@tAn share a purely platonic relationEhip, it is clearly .naory
famili€r, inappropriate and a classic caee of flagsnizatign. While it
is possible ehat cDR stopyra, cDR Goldschmidt and td@{lrj\ failed to
reeognize the relaEionship as inappropriate because it LacKdd a aexual
camponentr to it Ehis shows a troubling lack of understanding of the
Narry's policy on fraternization. IFF 2, 76-781
4. CDR Stopyra failed to set the etandard of appropriate conduct
required of a commanding officer, and his actions advereely imPacced -
the comnand cLimate and mission readinees of the ship. He.faiLed. to
maintain a bhoroughly profeseional relatsionship with his juniorg ats all
t,imes, and his fraternization was noticed by the enEire crew. Tbe
frat,ernization was so blatant that it became the topic of snide remarks
and jokes among the junior members of the crew. It is astoniehing that
CDR Stopyra did not recognize his acgions were fralernizabion. Even
with tshe added help of the issue being brought to hie attenEion by tbe
XO, SUPPO and the writteD accusation of the SUPPO J.abeling the
relationship as inappropriate, he failed to take any action tso
al-leviate or properly address the problem. If he is unable tso
recognize and correct his involvement in this improper relationEhip, he
cannot effectively enforce the Navy's policy on fraternization on hie
ship. CDR Stopyra's inability to recogrrize the consequences of hie
behavior, as well as his faiLure to acE when the crer,rs' concerns were :

broughts to his attention called into queetion his professional

10
 Subj: COMIvIAI{D Ir\ryESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS OF Al.l INAPPROPRIATE
REIJATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMANDTNG OFI'ICER A}ID MEDICAI' OFFTCER
ONBOARD USS FORT MCHENRY (I,SD 43) BETWEEN ON OR ABOT'T .ruLY 2OO9
AI{D DECEMBER 2OO9

judgment. No one guestioned his abilities as a nnriner, and Bome

pointed ouE his superior knowledge of the ship and operatsional focus
and competence. However, his clear failure in regulating his behavlor
and understanding the negative effect it had on his enlire crew provcs
his inabiliby to lead and maintain good order and discipline. lrr
6,L0,L3,47,48,831

5. IC is surprising and disturbing that the executive officer, CDR

Goldgcbqi-dt, does not consider the relationship between CDR Stopyra and
LT[fldilJ] as fraternization. rtre cMC diecussed his concern over the
refEtiott"fiip between gDR sEop)'ra €ma r,TV6lt bA in September and again
in December. The l"i I.T expreEEed his co*ncEidflover Ehe relationship to
the xo in .rune/,tuly time frame. The supply officer brought the issue
to the xo's atuent,ion in September. The XO was also carbon cgp.ied..in
an e-mail exchanse_betsween tr-ru,{t,a)and r,t!-qL,D,_*lu:: Lr .lLD{n-)-
staces that the relationship iE inafpropriade. 6R coldEchmidt did
acknowledge in hie statements that he understood how it could be
perceived as improper by the crew, but still maintained that their
relat,ionshi-p was appropriate. As a commander in the US Narry and the
executive officer, he should be intimately familiar with the Na\ry
poJ.icy on fratsernization. Yet in his staLement he contends that the
reLationship was appropriate, diemiseed the department head'E concernE
and told the CMC the iseue was addressed with the CO. While he may
have addressed the issue, CDR Goldschmidt's actions were ineffectual.
From .TuIy when the relationehip wae f,irst noticed by tbe crew untiL
December, cDR Goldscbmidt's only actions were to digcues lbe issue"with
the CO twice, and telI the CMC and department heads that the iEsuc utaa .

addressed. fn effect, he enabled the commanding officer to conbinuc his

conduct by explaining it away. IFF 4,5,30,43,83]
6. have recognized that her relationship with cDR
"r1@/Lt0)rshould
Stopyra wae ffaternization. She was at l-eagt acquainted with tlte term
and Eh19 -concept. She e:qrreesed concern about perceived fraternization
rc :-ffblh})q"tri"r in thl deploymeat when both were liberty buddies.
i: .tbku,::: :lPJs::ffi":3: :i:"Jil:::i:liti i.:
go on libertsy with other people Eo as not to raise susPicione ofF '- ro:,
=::iff
*iqat-e-rnization. edditional-Iy, in an e-mail sent tso tr[bz:it\, LT
l(plb))nenbions the perceived inappropri.ateness of the r-elatifnship. IJT
-GrthD responds by referring to the claim as "s1ander". The
unquestionabty famj-liar and casual style of her e-mailE to CDR Stopyra'
including tshe e-maj.ls where she discussed official business and the
performance of her peers, is clearly outside the bounds of an
acceptable senior-subordinabe relationship. IFF 36, 42,75,83'92-941
7. The relationship between CDR sEopyra and ,r(UTJa\ resulted in
preferentsial treatment and a percepbion among lhe crew of favoritism.
Her superior tone when addressing other departments heads in e-mails and
her candid criticism of her peers and the executive officer directly to
the commanding officer indicates she felb her statsuE LtaE eLevated and
privileged. There is no guestion that she enjoyed a level of direct
access to the commanding officer that vastly exceeded that of arry other.
member of the crew, to include the xo and cMc. The number of FLOCs from
sth fleet received by the medical department and the outcome of the

il
Sr:bj: COMMAIID INVESTfGATION INTO AI,L,EGATIONS OF AN INAPPROPRIATE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMANDING OFFICER AI.ID MEDICAIJ OFFICER
ONBOARD USS FoRT MCHENRY (LSD 43) BETWEEN ON OR ABOIIT JULY 2009
AND DECEMBER 2OO9

Saitor of tshe Quarter selection were viewed with suspicion by the crew.
The senior enlisged mernlcer in the medical departmeng discueeed hig
concern with the C'MC Ehat hie Sailors' accomplishments where diminiEbed
by the perception of favorit.ism.ly the CO due to his relationship with
the medical deparEmir!.h:1dl IFF 8,s,L7,2s,28,37,4L,4s,
^"\WU\.
55,56 ,6L,72,15 ,79 ,82 ,84-86, 88, 891

8. CDR Stopyra was dishonest in his staeements to inveet:i-gagors. He

claims there was never more physical conuact than a fist bump or
handshaker |et he wrote e-mails referring to back rubs and running his
fingers through her hair. He claims that all departsmen! headE were
welcome and i4v-itsed to movie nights in his statseroom, yets he wrote €rn
e-mail to Lrllhf tli\in which hi discussed- invit,inq the other officers
and decided Fortfirid1ric" rhem becauee rWL&n iia nor wanr r,o
"pander to jealous junior high school bu1lshiE.-"J Finally he claimed
tbe first time he had heard of the issue of an inappropriate
relationship was 1 December. However, the xO sbat,ed he broughF -iq.up t-a
cDR stsopyra in August or September and the Supply officer, lrlT|>Lbj1
brouoht this
said she brougbt
said his attention
to tris
this to directlv in September.-__++9o,
attention lirectly SeDtember.-elso, td
was carbon copied on an e-mail from L where she told L
the relationghip.was
Ene inappropriate. LII-
relaElonsnaD-was anapProprlaEe.
response to LrJfffln]" e-maiL for hie E
L :T.if"'$i iw4x:*
where she directly
addressed the lksi61Jf an inappropriate reLaLionship ae "glander". IFF
63-56 , 7l-73 , 76 , 831

writes herself, she j-okqs abouts a fictitiouE "standing Order #14" which
apparenE,ly mecurs WAW ffi"can do whatever ghe wantso and thanks cDR
suopyra later for puEti'nS',ahis sEanding order in writing. IFF 67, 72]
Recommendatigns

1. I belj.eve cDR Stopyra ehouLd be relieved of command and receive NiIP

for flagrant violation of the Navy's policy against fraternization ae
defined in OPNAVINST 53?0.2c. His failure to adhere to the Na\ry's
policy and his inability to ident.ify and correct Ehe problem once it .'
was brought go his at,tention brings into question his ability to
maintain good order and discipline on his ship. Additionally, hie
actions have had a negative impact on the comnrand climate, damaged the
crew's morale and eroded his legitimacy aE the commanding officer.
2. L{7W[b1\ should be detached. f or cause from uSS FoRT MeHEI'IRY (LSD
a3) an-6rEi6t've N,JPJ.oq viotating the Na\ry's policy against
fraternization. LdDIifi srrouid have recognized that her
relaEionship with cD}' Stdpy'ra was inappropriate and unduly familiar.
Addibionally, she failed to correct her behavior. with the cornrranding
officer when it was brought Eo her attention Ehat tshe relationship was
inappropriat.e.
3. CDR Goldschmidt shoutd be detacbed. for cause from USS FORT MCHEIIRY
(l,SD 43) for being grossly negligent and-fail-ing to idenuify the
relat,ionship between CDR Stopyra ana l!-f,7J(/T-] unduly familiar alrd
a clear example of fraternization. AddiEgoi.Allly',""he did not take

t2
Subj: COMMAND INVESTIGATTON INTO AILEGATIONS Ol' Al{ INAPPROPRIATE
REI,ATTONSSIP BETWEEN TIIE COMI{A}IDING OFFICER AITD MEDICAI OFFICER
ONBOARD USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) BETWEEN ON OR ABOUX JTIJY 2009
AND DECEMBER 2OO9

adequate actions to addrees the relationship and iL'E repercuEElons in

trhe comnand. Although the inappropriate nature of the relationship was
broughb to hie attenEion by the Deparement Heads and the CMC, and hc
did bring their concernE to the conrmanding officers attention, he
maintaine that tshe relationship was appropriate. Furthernore, it wae
hie duty as the XO to forcefully warn the cO of the conseguences of his
fraternization and, if necessary, t'o report the infractione to tbe ISIC
or fG.
4. No other crew members on the USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD-43) should be
disciplined for this incident.
5. Thorough training on the Naqf's policy on fraternization should be
conducted will- all hands on the uSs FORT MCHENRY (LSD-43).

reTvD

!:i

13
 DEPAHilETT OF ?HE l{AvY
fipt I
ffi,TOEN, EXPEUTX'flANIY slRilG GFOI'P TUO
FPOIE oefl{flxr

5830
Ser N00/115
1 Dec 09
From: Cormraadqr, -Exll.qditionary Strike Group TWO
ro: clsr
WXn ) usn

subj: colll{A}lD II\TIfESuGATION l}ll1ro AI,'IJEGATIONS OF AII

rtitAppRopRrAtE REr.ATrolIs$rp BErrTEEN THE' coMl,IB,r\tDrNG oFFrcER
AT{D SIIE MEDIE}L OFFXCER OIIBOARD USS FORT UCITEI{RY (I.SD 43)
BETWTEN OI{ OR ABOIIT i'IiIJY 2OO9 A}TD DECEHBER 2OO9

Ref: (a) iIAqlAN, ChaPter II

(b) *"u[t/)\ E:mail clrsL/Nol of 30 Nov 0e
'Encl: (1) Anonymous/Complaint Sgbrnitted to Cormander, Naval' :. il
Surflcc Force Atla:rtic, Ingpector General ,,t

1. Tbis leEter appointa you, per reference (a), to inquire into

ttre f,acts and circgmgtances surrounding al.S,egationa of a.n
lnappropriatse reLationehip between Comnandiag Officel' US! - FORT
MCHETRY (I,SD CDR Cfrrietopber Stoplrra, USN and the Medical
Officer, LT FlC, USN beEween on or a.bout JulY
2009 and Dec ,);
2. Ae diecueeed' j:n reference (b) , iavesEigate the alJ'eEations
contained in enclosure (1).
3. Report in letter for:n by 18 December zaog,
yo.ur f ind,ingg :'

unlesg an extension of time ia granted. You are to include with

a

your report all witneEs stacements and otber docr:mented evidence

iatnereE. ff you have not previoualy done go, rcad reference (a)
in ite entircty before beginnlng your inveetigatioa.
4. you may eeek legar advice from lfi WLln , JAcc, usll,
during the couree oi your invesEigalion- E9 cafi be reached at
?s?-835-3048, DsN 836-3048 or qpltbn
I

Rear
QILID
Alirit'al, U.S. rilarry

Copy.to:
Filee
 6rdZ
SU SPECT'S RIGHTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTISTATEMENT See JAGMAN 0170
Ft.l I \A\il.. iA(( ilslil) si.isPli('lr sERVt(:E (BRANCIt)

<;:tt.l $-ittrjy't4----t!1'':-'1..t ,Z-fd-"- :'Sn/

.\( itvlIY l.'\11 DAI'I] OT BIRl'H

\.\\.11i t lNl'!lRVll:\l l:R t

,W[-tnl}
: r)( .\l lON ()l: lN f ht{Vll:W

RIGT.ITS
Icertifl and acknowlcdge by nr.v signature and initials set forth below that. before the interviewer
reclucsted a statenrent fiom rne. he warned nre that:

(I ) I am suspected ol'having committed the lbllowing otl'ense(s): il',,..|e:t A t .z e;4 thi'lr

tffi
rr
t2) I haver the right to renrain silent:

w
-

13 I .,\n5 slatement I do make rnay be used as evidence against me in trial by coun-manial, - - - - -

(.1 ) I have the right to consult with lawyer counscl prior to an1' questioning, This lawyer

counscl ma1' be a civilian lar,r',ver retained by me at my own expense, a military lawyer

appointetl to acl as my' counsel without cost to me. or both: and - - -
ffi
t5) I have the right to have such retained civilian lawyer andior appointed military lawyer
present duringthis intervierr,.

WAIVER OF RIGHTS
i-----
tu
I further ceniiy and acknowledge that I havc reacl the above statement of nry rights and firlly
r--fLl
tunderstand thenr. and that. - - l.:T-l
(I l I expressly desire to rvaive nry riglrt to remain silent: - - - -- -
rE
.
12) I expressly desire to make a statement: | ,+l
t.3) I expre'ssly do nrx desire Io consult with either a civilian lawyer retained by me or a
nrilitarl lau.1'er appointed as rnl,counsel w'ithout cost to nle prior to any questioningi - - - f-_.T.]
(+) I !'xpressl)' do not desire to have such larvver present rvitlr rne during this interview: and - - --
r-tl
 (-5)'l'his acknowledgment and waivcrof rights is made f'reely and voluntarily by, and without
anr pronrises or threats having been rnade to me or pressure or coercion ofany kind having been
uscd against nle.- - -

\l(i\A ( ('USt:D'St rSPIi("'l'i DA'TE

f l iRI: {

C;dEEL-ELttu
ql(i\n it :Rf: ( lNT LRVlti\\'t:Rt

st(i\;\ : t ilil. rwl l'Nl-sSr

Ihc staren,enr which appears on this page (and the lbllowing 7- page(s). all of which are signed by me). is made
fieely and voluntarily by me. and without 611,,, promises or threats having been made to me or pressure or coercion of
an_r kind having been used against me.

tr',:r.- 4 f f/tl(' //E /\

Interview with tlre Commanding Officer.
1415 12t02i09

'l'he
follo'*,ing summary l,r,'as prepared fron, oral statements given during an interview on
.l December 2009. It is an accurate and complete sumrnary of the interview and is true
and complete to the best of rny krrowledge. I gave a statement in the interview and
approve this writren summary lieely and voluntarily without any promises or threats
having been made to me or pressure or coercion of any kind having been used against
nte.

I anr the (lonrmanding Oflicer of the IJSS FqgM-cFlenry (LSD-43), I was not aware of
the reason for the Deputy Commander, CAP[ff{ fufliisit, I understand that an
anon)-mous individual has flled a complaint FitFtfreCNSL lG conceming an unduly
lamiiiar relationship between myself and the Medical Officer. \WIADI do not agree
rryith this accusation and would characterize my relationship withLl@brys
professional and as libeny buddies.

I have been on libertl, withl.ffijt&T\in Salalah, Oman, Bahrain and in Rota" Spain. In
lJahrairr. rrc u'ent on or,er-nigltrlibe'f to the same hotel but had separate rooms. We
w.cnr swimming and had dinner together. In Rota. we visited the NEX, went bowling,
had lunclr and went shopping together. We had dinner with CDR Goldschmidt the first
night in port.

I meet withL.fuipf], almost everl'day to discuss the medical status of the ship. I
helieve l|(h7/ffr* is a top performing Department-fiead. and the Medical Department is
m! rop aeffinhie/t on the ship. I also consider t'tll!{Q1)a confidant. We both have --t
claughters that attend the same school back home, aid I talk about my children's health
issu*es witnfiljlt2i)a. edditionally- I discuss profbssional issues rn'ith her. I receive
infirrnration t\&t l.lfl11pJabout hou,ml directions and policies are understood and
rcce ir cd hr rhe other Heparfmerlt l{qads. I also discuss these issues with the Executive
ofllcer, CDR Coldsctrmial vufffr)fpJlttends many meetings that the CDR
(ioldschmidt does not attend. Simi)frly. Ltddf,fqand her Department has a pulse onl
the crew and unit morale based on their intdfaclfrjrlwith all departments on the ship. I
discuss the perfomrance of other Departments and Department with LT@{
I"{t Vry
bccause heideparrmenl is "squared away". Also.Lffi [1-s husband is a Su.fficE,
Warrare Otficer, so I feel she understands many of thFis's'u'cy'on the ship outside the
Medical Department.

l. lt/61ful\ecarrre nr,r conflclant around the.lune/July'time tiame. When I was an

r.;*KuYluidfficer. the Medical Officer (who was maie) on the ship was also my
confidant and libertl' buddy. and we discussed issues conceming the health as well as the

/n/4>
ll@Dand t ear nreals together in rhe rvadroom. We eat breakfast together at 0530,
30 niirrutes hcl'oru'standard trreakfast meal hours. and eat lLrnch and dinner together if our
rchedulcs pcrmit. 'l'here is a movie night that is held infrequently in my cabin. The event
is open tn an1' l)cpanment l{ead that wishcs to attend but ii is not adv,ertised. LT
attends most of these movie nights, and several have consisted of LWIIY and
WbI
I-
w'atching a movie alone in my cabin.

I harc hacl no phlsical conract u'i*r f .f@&IJw'ith the exceprion of fist- bumping. or
othcr l'ricrtdll and pntf'cssional gestures. 'l'hefe was never any physical contact that
sould hc considercd inappropriate. CDR Goldschmfu[ first brought to my attention the
u'ardrooms's conccm about my relationship oirh L@{mJon f)ecember 1.2009.

i;;
:i I;
..'
::r :

WD
 6,e/S
S USPECT'S RI GHTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/STATEMENT JAGMAAI OITO
.Jl RATI/RANK

/- I ,/1,)
SERVTCE (BRANCH)

z{ S-A-/
DA1 b. Otj BtRlt I

7' 11 \r- f! 1" tG l'/ 'ft:

RATlj/R^NK Sf:RVICE (BRANCH)

C-AT t-rSa/
Ril.t.[T

RICiHTS
I certif-v and acknowledge by my signature and initials set fbrth below that. before the interviewer
rcquested a statement fronr me. he warned nre that:

( l ) I am suspected ofhaving conrnritted the following offense(s): f .,, I er ri /+e-'+'ih^

rl) l have the right to rcmain silcnt: -

WT
(i) Anl statemenl I do nrake ma-,- be used as evidence against nte in trial by court-nurtial. - . - - -

(4) I have the right lo consult with lawyer counsel prior to any questioning. This lawyer
c()unqet nray be a civilian lawyer retained by me at my own expense. a military lawyer
appointed to act as my counsel without cost to nte. or both: and - - -

(5) I have the ri-eht to have sr.rch retained civilian law-ver and/or appointed military lauryer
prl.sentduringthis intervieu. ------
wi)
WAIVER OF RIGHTS

I lurther certily and acknowledge that I have read the above statement of my rights anti fully
understand thenr. and lhat. - -
@r) :t

(I)I cxpressl)'desire to waive nrv right to remain silent: -

@D
(2) I expressly desire to rnake a slatemenr;
c@rP
1-i; I expressly do not desire to consult with eithcr a civilian lawyer retained by me or a
nrilita4 larvyer appointed as my' counsel without cosr to ne prior to any questioningl - - - -
D
1-l 1 I cxpressll do not desire to have such larv;-cr pt'c'sent u,ith me rluling this interview; and - - -
D
 .1
(5) his ackno*'ledgment and waiver of rights is rnade freely and voluntarily by. and without
an1 prontises or threats havins becn nrade to lre or pressure or coe[cion ofany kind having been ->\.
usecl against mc'.- - -
---1t

5t( ;\,\l URti.d('('rl6tit)rstist Ec l ) DATI.:

lt a ty( 2 < i:.)

DA'IT

ti('\ \ l'1.l{l: Ilt l l \l1SS)

The statenrenl which appears on this page (and the following _.._. page(s), all of which are signed by me), is made
lieell' and voluntaril-r'by me. and without any prorniscs or threats having been made to me or pressure or coercion of
an1 kind having been used againsr me.

.. {

;!

@L
,-"',r', /-.1/' ( l.,',/ .

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i.'
.4'"
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[)eccntber 4.2Q09

lgTr#&.rir@{&D
Lr ffw1&,^r\
FR:
RE: lnvesTfiation, adilitional statement

lrr addition to the answers I provided during interview on 2 DEC 2009,1respectfully

request to submit the following for consideration: , , ,

't'his complaint and investigation comes I month before the

1 ) LT (O-3) fitness ,,'
repofts are due. Perhaps it is only a coincidence, but I invite the Investigating
Officer to entertain that there rnay be secondary gain to be had by the timing of
this invcstigation.

2) I have an excellent professional record aboard this ship as a Medical Dept Head. I
started out 2009 with a successftrl ULTRA-C for my warfare area, a C-1, Fully
Ready Medical Readiness lnspection and a depafimental grade of 89Yo during
INSURV. I have had a ver-v successful tleploynent lo include a public health
campaign that yielded arr lLl arrd H l N l free ship throughout deployntent, a
for
ph'ysical litrtess carrrpaign and I'und raiscr(thc 43 club) that raised 51.000 .t ,.,!'!:
N\4('RS and e{Tective participatiorr on the Command Assessment Team.
:. ':'
3) I ltavc rto spccial privilege with the CO. There is not one instance where my
professional relationship/liberty buddy status with the CO has yielded advantage
to me or nly department. I believe that EVERYONE has the same, equal
opportunity to build a professional and amicable relationship with the CO, and ,

have had that access all along.

4) Accusations and misperceptions arise from ignorance. Ignorance, for the purpose
to '
of this investigatiort. is the failurc o1'those concerned to f,resent their conclrns t " ,. i,
as
tttc lttr nrv cxlllanatiorr. I respectfully invite the Investigating Officer to ask i ,:,1'
many questions of nre as necessary to discern the true validity of the reasonsfor ;i;
this investigation. .'

, .-,i r
 inrervieu'*irh Lr@{i/D Medical Officer, USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)

12t02/09 at 1500

The lollowing summary was prepared fi'om oral staten'rents given during an interview on
2 December 2009. lt is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true
and complete to the best of my knowledge. I gave a statement in the interview and
approve this summary freely and voluntarily without any promises or threats having been
made to lne or pressure or coercion of any kind having been used against me.

My relationship with CDR Stopyra (the CO) is coufteous and professional. Because of
my duties as the ship's medical officer, I see the CO everyday to discuss medical issues
as they relate to the crew's heaith. I also discuss other professional issues with CDR
Stopy'a, including training issues, the integrated training team (ITT) as well as medical
issues. I discuss tltese issues with the Commanding Officer because i understand what
the CO wants done and I know what needs to be accomplished. Some of the otlrer
l)cpartntcrrt l-leads on the ship have a poor unclerstanding of the conrmanding officer's
trairring plrilosophy. During the ITT meetings, I discuss what needs to be done because
somc of the other participants do not do what needs to be done to successfully
accomplish the integrated training team goals. I and the Chief Engirieer a.re the driving
fbrce bchind thc success of the integrated training teams. _
,

('DR Stopira and I arc also liberty budcties. We are liberty buddies because we are tfie .

sal'llc agc, lrave childrcn rvhich are the samc age, my husband is also a SWO, and we have
n'lorc conltlton inlerests than other members of the wardroom. Other members of the
wardroom typically stay out later than I would like to with the exception of the CO and
XO. CDR Stopyra and I went out on ovemight liberty in Bahrain but stayed in different
rooms in the same hotel. We went sltopping and had dinner together. We also went out
togcthcr ort liberty in Rota. Spain wlrere we had dinner with the husbanding agent and
sevcral othcr olficiais. Tlrere are also other wardroom events that I participated in with
C'DR Stopyra as well as other members of the wardroom for example a rug flop in
Bahrain. dinner with the Jordanian CNO, a wetting down in the beginning of deployrnent
in Souda Bay and a more recent wetting down in Sicily. The Executive Officer ul.o go"g
out on liberty with the Commurding Officer and me, but not every time. Over the course
of deployment I have been alone with CDR Stopyra only about 50% of the time on
Iiberty.

On tlrc ship u'e do cat breakfast together and occasionally sit together for lunch and
dtttncr if our scheciulcs penrrit, We rvatch ntovies together in the CO's cabin, and usually
!\L:arcalonebutrhedoorisalr.r,aysopen. Therehasneverbeenanyphysical contact
between us.

I bclier.'c tl:c accusaliott o1'an inappropriate relationship is the result ofprofessional

.;caloLrsy'. Our relationship is not inappropriate. The Cornmanding Officer is a hard
rvorker. a good guy, a standup guy who wants to get the job done. I believe that the

@
 of those concerned w'ltnt^s'r@v\
:'Ji:Ji::,;il'i:';il,:i::11['HT::,[:l]'Ji:,fii"Je

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 tu/r
WITNESS STATEMENT
l r,l-t. N^ME (WlTtillss) SERVTCE (BRANCII)

Goldschrnidt. Brian USN

DATti oF IltRT il
USS Fort McHcnry (LSD-43)

COMPHIBRON TWO
l.(X'r\'l'loN 0F lN'I[RVtEW
L,SS Fort McHenry (LSD -43)

The fbllowing summary was prepared from oral statements given during an interview on 2
December 2009. lt is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true and
complete to the best of my knowledge, I gave a statenrent in the interview and approve this
summary freely and voluntarily without any promises or threats having been made to me or
pressure or coercion of any kind having been used against me.

I first became aware of the crew's perception that an inappropriate rgJationship existed between
the Conrnrarrding Officcr, CDR Stopyra, and the Medical Officer, Lplff> round the August
or Scptcnrber of 2009. it started with a sign in-qfue yqardroom listing who waFauthorized access
into the pantry. This sign was directea ati-r@U1)*i,o had been making breakfast and
preparing salads fbr herself and CDR Stopyra. Th6 Department Heads expressed discomfort
about the arnount of access I-ffty5 had to the Commanding Officer. I discussed rhe issue
u ith the Commanding Otficelb-ut Cf R Stopyra did not feel that there was anyrhing wrong
* ith his relgfo;rship with I.TtlbLlzn) Tnere was no change to CDR Stopyra's behavior
towarcis LTLlp"\IrD llowing the diicussion. I then told the Department Heads that LT
63tL{liloes not have more access to the Commanding Officer than anyqng else, she simple
if,onr.r-to use the access that is available. on December 1, 2009, L@>pole wittr me and
complained that the relationship between the Commanding Officer and L$flbJlas unduly
lamiliar. I brought the issue to CDR Stopyra's attention.

I think that the Department Heads exhibit varying amounts of interaction with the Commanding
Officer by their own choice. The Chief Engineer has the most access to the Commanding
Officer, the First Lieutenant is somewhere in the middle, and the Supply and Operations.
otficers have the least. f'he access is avaiiable to everyone anO L@.{2\chooses to usethat,
accesswhileotherDepartmentsHeadsopttouseiess, ibelievetherelucdncebysomeofthe
Department Heads to interact with the Commanding Officer may be due to his personality. '."{'t
CDR Stopyra is blunt and can be very sarcastic, and this intimidares some offig;rs_who are
afraicl to cleliver bacl news to the Commanding Officer. I do nor believe ttrat l@flbj\nas
received any preferential treatment; she simply has a better understanding of what thf
Commanding Officer"s expectations are because she talks with him frequently.

I hreliei'e that CDR Stopyra cnose It'SLaJ]u, his liberty bucldy because they are close in
age. tltel' both have children anti shairc simik-r interests. The Commanding Officer does not
 share much in common with the other Department Heads. The Commanding Officer is also a
workaholic who leaves the ship around 1900 to have dinner and most of the officers have
glfeady left on liberty by rhat time. In Rota, Spain., i had dinner with CDR Stopyra and LT
WJltTJ the first night, and CDR Stopyra anaLlff1[t\^t" dinner alone on the second night
in port.

I have never witnessed any physical contact between CDR Stopyra and tffitUn I believe
thar rhe relationship is not unduly familiar but I also think that it can be pefceiVed ds
inappropriate.

J;
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lbD ,is 6q t..ea

t?t?n-,@
---_JL-.-:-&_--
/stc}tarund (wIrNEss)

STG!3f, U RE ONTERVIEWEFC

*11
:,-!
 Eq"/t
WITNESS STATEMENT
RATE/RAl.iK SERVICE (BRANCH)

CMDCM USN
DA'TE OT: BIRTI'I

:-IIIRVIFwIIR; SERVICE (BRANCH)

USN
( )l{fi.\Nj/A !to\ tlil-i.F T'

C'OMPHIBRON 'I WO DEPUTY COMMANDER

l.( )( ,\1'lON O,: l\TtrRVlliW DA'IE

t;SS I:ORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) 2 December 2009

T'hc fbllowing summary was prepared from oral statements given during an interview on 2
December 2009. It is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is trre and
complete to the best of my knowledge. I gave a statement in the interview and approve this
w'riucn summary freety and voluntarily without any promises or threats having been made to me
or pressure or coercion of anl' kind having been used against me.

I serve as Command Master Chief onboard USS FORT MCHENRY, I have noticed and been
informed of an unduly familiar relationship between the Commanding Officer (CDR Stopyra)
and the Medical Officer tL{@{21Much of what I have heard is speculation. however. I have
had ciiscussions about it r.rith thc Eiecutive Olficer (CIDR Coldschmidt) and he has had
di:cLlssions rr.itlr CI)R Stopvra before.
f
'llrc trst conr.crsation i hacl *'itli the XO concerning this was two and a half months ago. I
ri
I
t:

hi-ought rhc is.sue up ergain 3 vvec-ks ago. The XO explained that because they were in the same
age group and had kids. that they would tend to hang out together since they had more in
common than other of'ficers. The last time I brought this up to the XO was the other day. When I
broughr it up to the XO earlicr in rhe deployn'rent and q'as told it was dealt with. Again, the XO
mentioned that they were the same age and that was why they spent so much time together. XO
rolcl nrc at that time thar lie had.lust spoken u,ith (IDR Stopyra about this issue and assured me
thcrc uas nothing going on, it was a quarrel between the department heads, .

I irar e rrot obscrred. and have not heard concerns aL:out a physical relationship, rather that CDR
Stopyra spends too much time with one particular DH, being the Doc. Mostly I heard rumors that .i
they' spend too much tirne together. While I do not know if it is substalqr-atep, I have heard a
'l'ube
,,.,n'ru'i on ihe ship that there is a You video'with the C0 and LTttlJ((pD

I hai e nL-\'cr obsen'cd arrl' phl,sical contact,

\['hile discussed in the Chief's Mess. I believe this is more of a problem with the wardroom. Not
all depar-trnent heads have the combination to his door. However, someone tu"'l-Wlblpunch
the ccrdc into his cioor and entcr on one occasion. Some in the Chiels rness believe medidal
could hc tin'ored as a clcpartment. I have sometinies heard the comment around the mess that
medical mav not be hit as hard for things as other departments.
't
 I-his is a prohlc'nt bccause thc crew thinks that sonrething is going on between them. Because of
thut pcrccptiorr. chicils and.iunior Sailors see fur'oritism, whether it exists or not. These rumors
l:ar c definitelr hit the cleck plates. I1'this were an appropriate reiationship. then I would not have
to have a discussion about it u,ith the XO. A relationship like this has no positive effects on the
cortrrtrand.

I believe I generally have a good working relationship with the CDR Stopyra. I have free access
to hinr and while his door may' be closed after 1900 I do not think he would ever rurn me away if
issue. I am speculating. but it is possible that the relationship CDR Stopyra has with LT
"r*l f(kn
Wl)
- ) couid be afTecting the amount of access I have to the CO. I speak to the aO on a daily
oarir 6ut our discussions arc not as long and in depth as they were before the door began closing
at 1900.

Operationaiiy. CDR Stopyra is the best Commanding Ot'ficer I have met. Having these rumors
Itas lakr-'n aw'a1 fronr his succcss as a comnrander.

ub{bT
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, crl:rrr, rt tnn twlrNESS)
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JRE (IN'I'ERVIEWER)

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 Enr/G
WITNESS STATEMENT
SERVICEGRANCH)

USN
DATE OF BIRTI{

USS FORT'MCFIENRY
RATYRANX SERVICE {BRANCH)

CAPT USN
BIT.LET

COMPHIBRON TWO DEPUTY COMMANDER

l.(x,\1 l()\ otr lNTFRvtEw DATE

I.-iSS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) 2 December 2009

fhe lbllowing summary was prepared from oral statements given during an interview on 2
December 2009. lt is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true and
complete ro the best of my knowledge. I gave a statement in the interview and approve this
written summary freely and voluntarily without any promises or thream having been made to me
or pressure or coercion of an1' kind having been used against me

I scrve the Operations Officer onboard USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43). I have noticed an
a.s
undult' tamrlief rejationship between the Commanding Officer (CDR Stopyra) and Medical
oltcer(Lr&h{UD ,, .

IN the beginning of deployment . the Commanding Officer invited all DH's to go running witb :
him. It seemed to be a vehicle to get to know the department heads better. HE also invited the
I)epartment Heads out to dinner on liberry early on in deployment- He has lessened his
irrtcracriorr an,.l arailahilitl since he has gotren rc LWtr@\
"1o..,
J
I first noticed an overly familiar interaction during "beer on the pier" in Djibouti. They both sat
close to eachother and at one point it appeared that she was rubhing his head, and took offhis
n'atch and wore it. I observed this nryself.

ln llahrain. the liberty buddl's),stem allowed everyone to take overnight liberty. tWbD
nontL'uoS nol ol'l the libertl'matrix and slre did not sign out on overnight liberry. I was serving as
CD() at the time. 'l'!re nexlmorning, I discovered that both she and the CO were out on overnight
libertl together. L lth(t\id
noi sign out. CDR Stopy'ra did not give an overnight location. I
roiccd my ob.jectioN to ihEf,O (CDR Coldschmidt) but the XO did not respond ro rhose
ob.iections. Sltore patrol cventuall-v had cveryone accounted lbr by going through the BOQ
rcscn ation [ist. I.also sau them together in thp NFX-AI no point w'hile they were on liberry
t our si.rppo (LT[b0D]surea me that the cMC had addressed
il:::::::', @{(Qgn
In \liirlah. rhclc *as a tlir3lgr plaQjlcd 5i1h rhe I.iaison Officer,traol@bjl, CDR Stopy*:
( I)it Coldschrnidt. an.t t-lpt{/))LTftbatryas the only O-3 invirJ to sdch an outing.

I ha',e not seen. bui I have heard the following:

An irNS liom the ship saw CDR Stopyra and I.@lD\ walking on the beach together. That
there ma_v- be pictures or video of the two splashing in the pool in Oman. I have heard the
wardroorn and the crew make disparaging comments about the relationship between the hvo:

Fclr each port,u'isit, they' appeared to become more brazen. They went on all tours together-
I)uring a DV visit,Jhey..an'i'.'ed at the event together. At a wardroom rug flop, they anived and
lefr tolether. tn Rl##S%Hl:uh.n they *.nion liberty together, the ship iould not get in
contact u'ith either of them. As CDO. I tried to call his phone. but got a Spanish recording. The
husbanding agent inlilrnred mc this rneant the phone was tumed off. While on leave with my
husband in Clatania. I ohservecl them having dinner together with their driver.

There is also very f'amiliar behavior onboard the ship. tffitfAXwill go into the galley to
prspilrc salacls lbr hinr at dinncr. They eat togellrer befbrenrEh[f6st hours. 1'hey have been seen
rnaking eggs together lirr breaklast before breakfast hours. I observ'ed Wbhbringing dishes
liorn his statcr()om and pr.rttirrg tlrem in the scullery. I have also heard that she hd the ,., :
conrhirration to his stateroom though l have nol seen this for myself.
.{li
'l'hanksgiving
On l)ay. they came dou'n at the same time.

Peopl,-'eat at cr"rtain tinres to avoicl eating at the same time with them in the wardroom. 'fhe
Department Heads u$ed to stay and try to talk to CDR Stopyra in the wardroom but he would . a'

onlv speak wi$ LWI\DI ie cloes no, .ngug" any other.iunior Officers in conversation.

.\t rh.' bcginning olcruisc- r.r'c had animpromptu nrovie night irr his srateroom. tiver since then.
onlr L [fl$fi as becn scL'n watching movies in his stateroom and no one else has been
inr itcrl. '/
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nk /) I

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6u stcNATt.tRE rturEdvtFweRt

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 €r./f
WITNESS STATEMENT
SERVICE (BRANCH)

USN
DA1E ()F BIRTH

RAl'TJ/'RANK SFR VICE (BRANCIIi

CAPT IJSN
Ht-l-ET

1'WO DEPUTY COMMANDER

I ()(,\1 iO\.. O[. lNl'[;R\ril'iu; DATE

I.ISS FORTMCHENRY (LSD 43) 2 December 2009

-l'he
fbllowing summary was prepared from oral statements given during an interview on 2
l)ecember 2009. It is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true and
complete to the best of my kno'wledge. I gave a statement in the interview and approve this
r,rritten summary freely and voluntarily without any promises or threats having been made to me
or prc'ssure or coercion of any, kind having been used against me

I sen'e as Chief Engineer onboard USS FORT MCHENRY. I believe there is an unduly familiar

iielting dou'n thc rvardroom had recentl."-. Other than that. I havc heard many- coulments around
thc ship. .loking quips about their relationship or orher scutrlebutt.

I harc not cril.sen'cd anr ph1'sical contact.

I believe I have good access to the CO. Due to ny position in engineering and as the senior
r,ratch of'ficer. I often have to meet with CDR Stopyra. I think CDR Stopyra takes bad news well
and I am not afraid to bring him bad new's. I do not helieve this rElationship has effected my..
tclirtirtttsltip u itlr thc C'O. houcvcr. I belicvc it could have an efl'ect on the relationship w'ith.other
l)cpartnrcnt hcads.

6ui
---arqr/ f U,s
TL)lrl: (tNTERVIF:WER)
 Ea"/,

WITNESS STATEMENT
SERVICE (BRANCH)

:##00
tiSS F'ORT lvICl{ENRY
USN. SC
DAI'E OF BIRTII

\A\-lt: I l\l HlVlIWt:R, RA'TE/RANK sERvrcE (BRANCI{)

CAPT USN
BII.I.ET

COMPHIBRON TWO I onpurv coMMANDER

I (X',\1:O\ OI: lNlhRVlt:W DATE

i.iss FoRT MCHENRY (LSD 43) 2 December20O9

'fhe lbllowing summary was prepared

from oral statements given during an interview on 2
December 2009. It is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true and
complete to the best of my knowledge. I gave a statement in the interview and approve this
written summary freely and voluntarily without any promises or threats having been made to me
or pressure or coercion of an1.'kind having been used against me

I serve as First Liuetenant onboard USS FORT MCHENRY. One of the most prevalent issues
ortirt'i.rrcl the ship is the completely unduly [nliliar relationship berween the commanding officer
r('l)R sjgp..:f.tt1rnd thc medical ol}.iccr (i 1tp{p))
CDR Stopyra definitely behaves differently
rvith t.1l[2ttl]Jhg he does w'ith other offiEers dnboard the ship. This bond has gotten to the
poini rrlrcrc it iieff-ecting the chain of'conrmand
rj

Sornc of the behaviors between the two of them is that she will go into the galley and prep4r.q, , _

l:inr salads ancl other fuocl dircctly fnlnr the galley.

I fi:'st noticed some olthe odd hehavior in June or July and brought it up with the XO.

I hitvc heard cnlisted sailors ntaking.iokes about the relationship.

('l)R Stopl'ra vrill onll hear husiness until 2000, so junior officers willnot go to make reports to
CDR Stopyra unless they have to. l)uring the da;,. his door is open only about half the time.. .l .

har c gone ro brief CDR Stopl ra and he anO I-[At1[\

are in his office behind closed-doors
aLrcsli !()(lo ol'the tinre. I harc also seen LT@t(A-1:-aving CDR Stopyra's stateroom after the
"cl.tsccldoor" hours. ulren business should be complete (around 2000). and it is not unusual to
t.@p61\.corning lionr C DR Stopyra's stateroom at unusual hours. tit<e ZiOO. My stateroom is
difuct-lv'acfoss lrom his. so I can see this if my door is open.

I har,c n()t seen an.v- phl.sical contact betw'een the two.

'l'hcr cal nrcals hr llrcrnsehes.

In Bahrain. CDR Stopi'ra did not tell the CDO where he was. but
it rras cliscoi.crcd thev stay'ed at the same hotel.

fhc onll' wardroom lirnctions we have had out were two dinners while on deployment. There

+
 \rirs an in-rprornplu rnol ic night in CDI{ Stopyra's stateroom. but the first two people in the room
scre l.TfQJ(fn]rnci C'DR Stop.v-ra. I have not w'itnesseci them watching movies together.

There has not been rnuch of a change in the relationship since the beginning of deployment.
( I)tt Stopyra does not otl'er much mentorship. None of the Department Heads could attend
amphibious warefhre school due to our schedule. I went to CDR Stopyra and told him we needed
help knowins what his expectations are. and how to accomplish them. I thought he was going to
hclp train the u'ardrclonr. hut irrstead he reprimarrded.lO's for not knowing answers to amphib
qucrtiorts he rrould ask.

(ll)R Stopyra is not focused on social issues. or trying to build a close wardroom because there is
too much to do operationally to get the ship on track. FIe has very little inteqgtion with the
rvardroonr. llanrl.lo's avoid rhe wardroom it.self whcn CDR Stopyra and LT&I(lz$?re there.

I do t'eel that I can express an opinion to CDR Stopyra on operational issues.

Iiarli on in deplolnru-nr. I was liberty buddies rvith LT@ttzNtre made a comnrent to me rhat
bcing libcrtl buddies to marl\ times could lead to the perception of Fraternization, While we are
the same rznk. I understood that a male and fernale only going on liberty with each other could
send the wrong message and create a false impression. The last time I was her liberty buddy was
li,
Split Croatia. '.i
':t
.t:
| ,.2.

IT tr9lyDas more power than a medical officer normaily has in terms of operations. LT
gptV.\rls to pusb issues stronger than perhaps she shoul<l as a doctor. She will take issues
tiir.rctl) io the (10. Iror instance, she objected to using and HMs for underway replenishment
working parties. I insisted that this was a ship-wide evolution and we needed all hands on'the
rvorking partl'. She took the issue directly to CDR Stopyra, and while he agreed with me, it
disturbed me that she had that access.

CI)R Sropyra ancl f 'f (OrtrpDll'orkout ancl eat at the same tinre.
I
._t

I have scen CDR Stopy'ra chastise JO's for having a hot plate made in the wardroom saying the rii.
FSA'.s were over tasked. and chastised other officers for eating in the wardroom after hours when
thel' were relieved late from watch. However. CDR Stopyra and tfu ll|\will
make
themselves breakfast betbre regular meal hours.

I harc also secn t Tf€{bl)cornc into the u,ardnrorn in Pl'clothes. get two cups of ice cream and
ciin'\ ihcn.l up to thc ('()'s lstatcroonr.

l'his has been brought up to the XO and the CMC. however. the XO told me that there is not an
ssuc.

(" tb{bl
i

. r.1
.;il,
.il
 6r-/ f
WITNESS STATEMENT
'''ruiY|0;f\ SERVTCE (BRANCH)

USN, SC
.\(L'\'i l; l l DA'I'E OII BIRTH

I;SS FORT MCFIENRY

SERVICE (ERANCH)

USN
t tR(;.\\llA llON Bll.r.ri t'

Cl0lv{PHIBRON TWO DEPUTY COMMANDER

l.o('.1T1()N 0l: tN't'tRvl[\\: DATE

L:SS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) 2 December 2009

The following summary was prepared from oral statements given during an interview on 2
Decenrber 2009. It is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true and
complete to the best of my knowledge. I gave a statement in the interview and approve this
written summary freely and voluntarily without any promises or tkeats having been made to mg
or pressure or coercion of any kind having been used against me , , ':.

I serve as the Supply Officer onboard USS FORT MCHENRY. I have observed the unduly
liu:riliar rclg,tionship betu'een tl're Commanding Oflicer (C-DR Stopyra) and the Medical Officer
(l 'itrPJLU^)br some time but tirst addressed it in September. great tast was being made in rhe
galicl bl tlrc ('O and l)oc befbre breakfast hours. CS's would enter the room and they would find
in* Cil and r- i@tUlnaking breakfast together, A few deparrment heads discussed how to deal
ri'ith it. but one o1'the department heads went ahead and told the XO about it at that point, which
r,ras before we agreed to bring it to his attention.

f hc I l@{Qcontinucd to prepare breakfast in the galiey for the CO as welf as prepare him i

salads at otltcr nteals. She entered the galley during meal times as well to collect ingredients,to,,
prel)iirc lirod li.rr the ('O. It'an1'one went to er u.ith an issue. she wouid say that she'd go to CDR
Stttill-S. In September I told thc C() I had an issue with food being prepared off hours and by L'l'
g!t[(a)]irr rhc gallcl.'jlc'ackrrovvlcdged nry complainr but provide<J no l-eedback. I sent an e-mail ':
:
i. r

iit Septentber to l,-f Qp{b))yrddressing these issues and I received an antagonistic respoilso: I
alsti rcriewed the situatioriwith the X0.

For the next two-weeks. the situation improved. In the last few weeks it has gotten worse, CDR
Slotr) ra ancf f .@{fi\tua1s
eat in thJ wardrrxrm together. Recently. there were toiof
- '
" to the riglrt
oiliccls ai thc ntain table in thc vlardroon: and a lv{arine Of}'icer was sitting in the seat
rr!'rhc c o's chair r.vhcn CDR Stopl'ra and I.l@ {4r1yn.r* down to ear togerher, I-T@/Cr}said
sontethins to the effect ol"'l guess l'll come baik late('' She Ieft in one direction, and the CO left
itt anothcr and hc did not eat. 'fhey both returncd approximatel-v- 20 minutes to_ a hal_f hour later.
alicr rlre seats hacJ clcarcd ancl are lunch together. 'l'he nlessage was clear: L@)t(bi)"ust sit
rl!'Xt to CIDR Stopyra. J

I havc never noticed an1'physicai contact.

Around .September. the CO began keeping his door closed, ollen during working hours. Before
this. he had more of an open door policy. Also. all business had to be complete by 2000.

1 l@?Xb j\rcl ( I)R Sropvra r.rill watch movitr-s.iusr by rhernseh,es u,ith the cloor closed. 'lhe
iasi Sroup rtior ie rvc uatchcd was in June. A.joke arourid the ship is if you want to find the CO,
r:heck rttcdicai. The Junior Sailors may have noticed this situation before the officers. CO does
nol want regular updates front me, just to come to him if I have something major.

I\ it is as if thc CO talks tono one

thc uardroom
M{Tnt0Dwould esrinrate thar righr aft'###H,i"JkL0,*ff ;:.:#ffi ffi:ffi 'Iking'lc,
Mai@t&$c wardroom will clear out. and no officers will eat there at rhe same time CDR
Stopl'ra eats. Shc acts cs though they are o1'equal rank. She once sat in his seat. so he moved and
sal s()lt'tL-u'ltcre clsc.

fhey have been libert-v buddics with only each other in every port since the first time we were in
Aquaba.

W)tv\
/- / I I
Lrr*c_sn
SIGNATURE(W|TNESS)

i
. .l
t
: :i':
. '!ia
 fru/la
WITNESS STATEI\{ENT
SERVICE (BRANCH)

USN
.\( l:\'t'l Y l:\l l DATN OF BIRfi
L;SS FORT'MCHENRY
RA'I'E/RANK SERVTCTE (BRANCH)

CAPT USN

-_El'l(6
r )R(,r\\:l/.^ I lO\

COIvIPFIIBRON ]"WO
BILLT.:'f

DEPUTY COMMANDER
! (X .\'l l()\ ot: lN't'!RVll-.\\' DATE

rjss FoRT MCI{ENRY (LSD 43) 3 December 2009

lhe tilllowing summary was prepared from oral statements given during an interview on 3
l)ecember 2009. It is an accurate and coniplete summary of the interview and is true and :.
.{-l+
. f "
complete to the best of my knowledge. I gave a statement in the interview and approve this
w'ritten summary freely and voluntarily without any promises or threats having been made to me
or pressure or coercion of an1' kind having been used against me

I sc-rr,c as Boatswain and Senior Shore Patrol onboard USS FORT MCHENRY. I have noticed
rlrirl rlrc ctrmmanding oliicer tC'DR Stopyra) and the medical of'ficer &ffifiiA\spend a lot of
tinre rogcthcr on the ship. I'hey eat almost all of their meals together. TFough I-am Senior ShorE
Patrol. I tend not to see when people come and go from the ship. I mainly make sure everyone is
back onboard on time. not when they lefl. I have not seen them on liberty together myself.

()nhoard the ship I have noticed thar she will make a meal rlr ice cream tbr him and bring it up to
hi: stateroont. I har c scrn hcr go up to his statcroom aiter hours. around 2300 and enter the
corntrinution to gct in.

-\l'rouI thrcc uronths ago. s()mcor)c (l clo nclr knou'who) put a menu rvith "Doc" written on the top
nc\t lo the ('()'s citair. as il'that u'as assigned seat. hefiire they came down for lunch. This was
ar1
dtrnc as a.ioke. I did not think the.joke was appropriate to make and so I picked up the menu.
thrcu it in thc trash and said: "'l'his does not belong in the wardroom." Meaning that behavior did
lr()t hclong.

i irai c lrcartl her rel-rrrcd to on the cleck plates as "the Captain's Boo" ard I have heard rumors
lulrrrut picl.ures and videos but I have not seen an)'.

I have not seen a change in hou'CDR Stopyra treats the rest of the wardroom and I believe he has
taught us a great deal about Amphib Operations. He treats people the same way he always has. I.
have heard rumors that her rewards get approved more than other people's however, I have not
seen or notics"d any preferential treatment towards her.

From w'hat I could tell they went out on liberty at varying times, 1100. 1600, etc.. and usualty
returned bi 12-30. I can sa1 lbr sure that thel, always returned by 021Q, because that is when I
retunr liorrr sltore palr()l rnd thcv arc alrval's accounted ibr. While ,ILW{7|}oes not siglt out .+i
",t
.",1 .:!
$1t:lc ttn libcq rt'ith CDI{ Stopy'ra. she always signed out if she is on liberty with other people.
I believe this relationship is inappropriate if only due to perception and how it is affecting
the
ship.

(
w@] -
ll >c aq
/u stcNATURE (WITNFS.S)

srGNATtiRE (lNn:R VTEWER)

.
;1

t:

.!l

'F,"*

t.: ".i
,..'
-.:
.i

:.1,
'r.'. ?-: l

i riil?:i.J ,

..: '.'
; ' ' j

i't
 E*/ tt
WITNESS STATEMENT
N'\Ili: iWl'l NIiSSi
qLb\ SERVICE (BRANCH)

USN
DATI OF BIRTII

LjSS Fort McHenry (LSD-43)

N^[tt; .lNl'ERVltjWF-Rt SF,RVK:E (BRANCH)

___-.wwi
()R(; tNtZl',floN
USN

COMPHIBRON TWO
t.(x'ATroN ot; tNl t:Rvil:w
l.jSS tjort McFIenry (LSD -43)

'l
he staternent which appears on this page (and the following
L pug.6J, all of which are signed by me), is made
lieely and 'r'oluntarily by me, and without any promises or threats having been made to rne or pressurc or coercion of
atty kind having been used against me, and is true and cornplete to the best of my larowledge. ,ii
:.:l

'I'he
C'O (CDR Stopyral ."4 t@{-b$ally spend a lot ol'tinrc together. 't'hey go on libeny togerher and they sir
Itrgclhcr in thc wartlroclttt lilr ntc.als.
-)
I rralk,''J ull() thc ( 0's cabin to gel u f-ffi@$Dre watching'IV
signed and I noticed thg qQ otrA
ti,-:.rl'lhi'r. tht tlortt \\ its ()pcn. Thc CO''r'rL'ssage l@ffifyar
<- v- YJ rffiofi, t(e confercnce'-table
rvas sitting at his desk anO in the
cabirr. i1.

lclationship has been noticed by the crew. I heard a chief make a vague comment about the CO's and LT
^ -.'l'lrcir
lpl(p )) s relationsniP'
I iirst notice thar the ('O and L't(btl/rppt a lot of time together sonre time around July, it became obvious then
During a wettirlg down in a port,Jhe iwo.!9{hem arrive together and then they left together, I saw them together
during iiberty in Egypr, Oman and Rota.

I rlitl rrot scc anv phvsrcal contact bets.ccn fhe CO onat-';

@ tb\

'.ii'
':i
!{
 &tl/z
WITNESS STATEMENT
\Alv!I: lWll'Nt:SSr SERVICE (BRANCH)

(/\ USN
r\( !'lvllY l.\11
--l- D^]'E OT BIRTH

USS FOR] \4CHF:NRY (LSD-43)

\n VF r!N'tliRVlli\r'lill r SERVICE (BMNCH)

J(b USN
t )R('ANi/r\ f lON BILLET

COMPHIBRON'TWO DEPUTY COMMANDER

;.(.{ ,\ riofi ()f liulIRVI[w DA'TE

r.jss FoR'r MCHENRY (LSD-43) 3 December 2009

'I'he
tbllowing summarJ/ was prepared from oral statements given during an interview on 3
December 2009. It is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true and
complcte to the best of my knowledge. I gave a statement in the interview and approve this
written sumnlary freely and voluntarily without any promises or threats having been made tq me
or pressure or coercion of any kind having been used against me. ,

I have noticed a undull.'familiar relarionship between the medical officer &b:WJ

{na tfre
cornmanding oftlcer (CDR Stopyra). 'fhe two of them always eat meals together. SheTas the
cocte to his stateroom and will clften answer his cloor when it is closed.

I met the ship in p.iibouti. When I was touring the ship by myself, I came by the stateroom and
noticecl that t.ffi-fg\\as
watching a movie in his stateroom, and I asked other officers if the
('( t's rvit'c wasinboardTor thc cruise. Being a rlew Ensign, I was not sure if that was something
('( )':; qeu14 d..

I havc secrr her bring icc creanr up to hirn al2200. Everyone knows where she is going if she is
bringing firod up to his level. It has become an almost daily routine for her to bring things up to
hirn,

In thc ri'ardroom -rccEn4l. tht-' nrain tabie was full except for the CO and XO's seat when CDR
Stogra and I ffb-.lrDtre cftrwn. The seat nexl to the CO was occupied by a Marine officer-
I I fih{.b$irl somethins ro rhe ef]'ect o1': "l gucss I'll come back later." And left the wardroom.
q'l llt Srtrp,ira also lcfi through a different door. About twenty minutes later, when the. wardrciorn .- Pl
'la t.
l:aii cicarcd ()Lrt. [hc]' rcturnccl ond proceeded to eat iunch together. alone.
n.
''*
1.1i;$

l-hc two are almost always on libeny together. I saw them come from the same room in a hotel in.
Bahrain. I also .sau'thenr in the pool togethcr in Oman and they'were splashing eachother in the
pocl. I I'ourrd rhe Lrehar ior to bc llirtatious. lt made me uncomfortable so I left and swam in a
dilibrent pool.

()ur slrip earlier in our deploynrent doing VBSS training. They thought that
R4anians on
lJ hd ('l)l( Stopyra r\,cre manied.
,-)

J*l
 En"//s
WITNESS STATEMENT
SERVICE (IIRANC.H)

USN
DATE OF tsIRTH

uss FORT MCHENRY (LSD-43)

SERVICE (BRANCil)

_bJ\ USN

COMPHIBRON TWO
l.OC'A l lON Ol: lN f lrRVlt:W

uss FORT MCHENRY (LSD -43)

, ti .+

_Lpage!,t|, all of which are signed by me), is nrade

'l'lre statement which appears on this page (and the following
t)'cely and voluntarily by me , and without any promises or threats having been made to me or pressure or coercion of
an-v'kind having heen usecl against me, and is true and complete to the best of my knowledge,

'flrere is a lot of hear-say about the relationship between the CO (CDR Stopyrat ana Lf@{kD
.l.trlrrolslrrtgirnrcssalrutothc'('Oorrudayafierl800.'l'hecloortothe'CO'scabinwasclose. Iknockedandl.T
pcr*ud thc .loor. ! hc ('O urs .sitling ar tire desk and two were alone in the officc, I felt uucou'rfortable. :::
U:ttOIJ ,

I surr thc C() irnrl Eb{llln"-!.lctlrcr on libcrty at thc hotel in Salalah, Onran. Tlrey rvere in the pool playing arouncl
und snluslr irts,. atciat iach'iiih.'r

I did nor obr"",.v. any physical contact between the CO

^rrdLTW*r|t
I lirst noticed the relationship sone time in mid to late July, rvhen l.reported onboard. Everyone in the crew has
noticed the relationship.

WW /
L/ oec d 7
.
r>, r l,f;1aruRE(wrrNEss)
LIIJLA J\
SIUnrr{nc
,,oru*t
0NTERVIEWER
 {dq
WITNESS STATEMENT
RATE/RANK sERvtcE. (BRANCH)

HMCS USN
DAI'E Ot BrRTH

tISS FOR'T MCHENRY

\nI{tj r l\1 FRVlli\\'iiR1 SERVIC:E IBRANCII)

[Ln{ur
oR(,.\\llAl l()N BII,,LEl'
USN

COMPHIBRON TWO DEPUTY COMMANDER

I tX \ I l()r" ()F lN'l'l:RVl[W DATE

{rSS tORT MCHENRY tLSD 43) 3 December2009

'l'he following summary was prepared fiom oral statements given during an interview on 2 ,

l)ecernber 2009. It is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true and
complete to the best of my knowledge. I gave a statement in the interview and approve this
written summary freely and voluntarily without any promises or threats having been made to me
or pressure or coercion of any kind having been used against me

I sen'e as nredical Senior Chief Petty Officer onboard USS FORT MCHENRY. I lpv_e heard a
Iot o1'rumors about an unduly t'amiliar relationship between the medical officer ffffi{0)}"a
the commanding otfrcer (CDR Stopyra). As the Senior Chief in medical, I have tridd to quash
rhe rr-rmor mill. .

I sa, L'@'IU\)"aCDR Stopyra going on tiberty together a lot, but I did not want to believe
an! thing was inappropriate about it. I never sa\^' any physical contact or anything that would lead
nrs t(l bclie\r.'thcl' were al all intimate. I did think it was odd that CDR Stopyra would spend
tinrc s ith jusl one departmcnt lread.

I lrrst realizcd it could be a prohlenr around Rota, Spain, but I thought *'ith only a few wceks left
in clcplrlvnrent. the matter woulcl resolve ilsellrvhen we returned from home port.

( In I I)ccembcr. I wcnt to CMC because we had an I{M2 tic for Junior Sailor of the year.bul
uitlrutiebrcakcrvot!'.thcClhiel-sMessrecomnrerrdedadifferentsailor. Thenlwasloldto ,
uritc thc sailor of thc.vear auard filr my sailor and I fbund out that CDR Stopyra had decided.to
qo w ith ml I I!12. I ftruncl out later and while I believed m), seilor deserved the award, it was not
.

uhrt thc'(hicl's Mess rccomnrended and I wanted to support the mess. I was also worried that
dcspitc rny department's hard rrork and accornplishments. oftpr.sailors may think that medical
uas ()nl)'giren IIZ's because ol'rhe relationship bet*.een LdbtfiIhna Cbn Stopyra. I was
concerned over the last two weeks or so because the C0 was ln our ipaces on a few occasions.
IIe once u'as j ust drinking coflbe in our space. he sat through our quarters. and at another time
revierved some administrative materials for the UL'|RA-E inspection (which was expected for
ULI'RA-E preparation). As I spoke with the CMC about some of my concerns, the Deputy
Commander and JAG arrived while I was discussing this issue.

I dici hear joking in the Chief s Mess but I did not bring it up because it was so late in

/w
 {.
,l
I-,. :,r,.Jj

deplol,ment.

I nas concerned due ro the rcputation of the department . \.I@I;4ilone of the best medical
fe
olJlcr.'rs I hal'e worke'd u'ith, and we have some great junior siilors. naa a HMI receive
Senior Sailor of the Year with a unanimous vote from the Chiefs Mess-z---)

I. i i
.. -. *i-
i, '' ti$:
:":.r ''t
. * ,,t.i
Iiti . ,r:i

., :_:'
 6n /zt
WITNESS STATEMENT
II I. \,\\{!:,Wl l\l:SSI SERVICE IBRANCH)

USN
-*EC?Xb)1
\('itiltyt'\il - DATL OF BIRTH

IJSS IJORI"MC]HENRY
\A\|t, r lNl'l:RYll:Wl:R, SERVICE (BRANCH)
! tl

(
r_b)[ t0 )
t/.A l l()N lstLLI r
USN
'R(:,\\
COMPHIBRON TWO DEPUTY COMMANDER
l.(.X'.\1 1(.)N OI' lNlhR VlEw DATE

r.jss FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) 2 December 2009

The tbllowiug summary was prepared from oral statements given during an interview on 2
December 2009. It is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true andi
complete to the best of my knowledge. I garre a statement in the interview and approve this
rvrittu'n summary freely and voluntarill, ,n'lt1tout any promises or threats having been made to me
or pressure or coercion of any kind having been used against me

I serve as operations Senior Chief Petty Officer onboard USS FORT MCHENRY. I believe there
is an unduly familiar relatio_nship between our Commanding Officer (CDR Stopyra) and our
nredical officer (LI-b-{fuN have seen the two of them together a iot, but noi too often on the
ship. On liben-n- I hiXe seen-them shopping together, and at the hotel together in Alexandria
Egi'pt. At first I was not concerned about seeing them on liberty together, but then they were
rlu ar s onlv on liherrl' w ith each other.

In tcrnrs of physical contact. I saw CDR Stopyra help LT&6ta)-1rr of the water during swim
r . j
call. but there rvas nothing very unusual about that. I also saw thim watching dolphins at one
point up by the CWIS on the ()-6 level. but again, I did not think too much of it.

I cliJ tlncl it strange unce wlren walking b1'the CO's Stateroom around 2030,I ru* lf& [I4
purrch in thc cornbination to the statcroom and v',alk in.

'l'he (.hicl-s
rrress finds thc rclationship strange. and it is conrmented on and joked about by the
.iunior sail<-rrs as well. I arn not sure if this uas brought to the CMC's attention. F
 E*/q
WITNESS STATEMENT
\.\\1l-,{Wll NbSS, SERVICE (BRANCH)

Cftr1t/f\
.\( tlVt fYr;\l'1
USN q; :'
DATN ()F I]IRTII ii ,f
USS TORT'MCHENRY i,

Vlt-lWliR.r. RATET{ANK SERVICE IBRANCH)

i
]Y(AJ
,;{(i..\\llA floN
CAPT USN
Btr.[-E1'

C'OMPT{IBRON TWO DEPUTY COMMANDER

l.(x..\1 t(.))i ()t: tN'l'tiRVlFw DATE

I.;SS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) 2 December 2009

l'hc fbllowing summary was prepared frorn oral statements given during an interview on 2
December 2009, It is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true and
complete to the best of my knowledge. I gave a statement in the interview and approve this
uritten summary freely and voluntarily without any promises or threats having been madeto me
or pressure or coercion ofan1'kind having been used against me.

I sen'e as a Hull Technition Chief, and Shore Parrol Chief on USS FORT MCHENRY. I believe
thert- is an unduly familiar relationship between the medical officer &TfulliYlnd the
commanding officer (S.DI l_topyra) As a nrember of shore patrol I had to ofpoffunity ro observe
CI)li Sttrpira and I.Il$ilh\jrn liberty and w'hen theyicorne and go trom the ship. Their
interaction on libertv appearfto be normal and fiiendly. Sometimes they are alone on liberty and
:?
r;t :'.
sometimes they are w'ith other people. Usually they are the first off the ship for liberty and ihe r!
.,
j-.i!
'1
last lrack on. L'@(/[]suaily does not sign out if she is Ieaving with CDR Stopyra. Mostll,the-
Ittttcs I ltave seen tlrcm not b1 themselves on liberty is for wardroom f'unctions. , ,

i have heard runrors about other behavior, I have heard that m@/,Das made his bed and
fixed meals for him. I have heard there is a video of them on You Tubel but I have not seen it.
j

i liirr c nc\er secn an1 physical contact between the tuo.

I har.c heard cliscussions in the C'hiet.s Mess. including run'lors about fixing meals, and the
IjS \':, bcing uncolnfirnahle around thenr.

//

r^@ffi":: :H;
t{
 Ea"/23'
WITNESS STATEMENT
SERVICE (BRANC}I)

USN
DATE OF BIRTH

I..:SS F'ORT MCFIENRY

COVTPHIBRON TWO
;.(x .1,'r!()N crtr INT[RvtEw
uss l:oRT MCHENRY (t.SD 43)

'l'he
lbllowing summary was prepared from oral statements given during an interview on 2
December 2009. it is an accurate and complete summary of the interview and is true and
conrplete to the best of my knowledge. i gave a statement in the interview and approve this
ti
vvritten summary fieely and voluntarily without any promises or threats having been made to me
. Ii.
or pressure or coercion of any kind having been used against me. ' !'t

',r'
\\'hilc Iharc I have notseetlanything unusual between the
hearcl runrors around the deckplates.
ctrrrrnruncling ol'ficer (CDR Stopyra)and the medical officer (LT I-@JEb
I hirru rroticecl that uhen t t&b{Ulomes to the MC shop sometimes to pick out a movie. we
ri ill suggest sonrethinq arrd sFe uill-respond with somcthing similar to "l <lon't think Skipper
n'otrl,-l Iike to \\'atch that." Shc never said outright that they were watching movies together. and I
caltitot bc sure iithel' w'ere. however. her statement lead me to believe they may have been. ,,
{i
rI'
relarionship between CI)R Stopl,ra and 1.1 rcWD '
Other rhan that thcre are.iokes and scuttlebult qru-up.d the deck plates that there is a romantic if -"
fr.- r
lI Yi' ..

e9lLLdl^-
. A U _._arrecrrl
-Z .SIGfA;It}RE (WITNESS)

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rrom: @JLUJJ Lr
Sent: Monday, July 27,2009 3:03 PM
e.
,.
to: Stopyra, Christopher CDR 1
I;"
2 .. ,:,
Subiect COSO CH-1 I.:

fbQIl .. .: .i
srgnedBy:

Excuse me, this needs another edit. Where is Standing Order #14, *6lf (Y\rJ
V rf-lcan
do whatever shewishes'
....
Doctrine? Hello....

rrom: @tU)] Lr
Sent: Monday, July 27,20Og 9:22 PM
:i.

Ilirr"f,BjtLr/rl
Subject: COSO CH-1 '- ": l'.t:&

Ail,
Standing Orders (1) and (13) have changed; permission for internal fuel transfers now lies with the OOD virb the,
co.
Vlr,
NAV

LT
rBJ clll),"
USN
NAVIGATOR .Gi

USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43)

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From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Sent: Mondav. Auoust 17 2009 11:03 PM
ro: rcUkn ,rQktl(tf,"
04
Subject: FY10 STAFF LIST

The FYlC Staff O-4 iist rs out.

Unfortunately I did not see any below-zone picks.

l'll be lookrng forward to seeing your names on the FY'I1 list.

Keep up the great work.

R/

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Forl McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
,i_'. ; :i :.443-825;

From: (:rq2i;=1.''" tt
Sent: Monday, August L7,2009 9:55 PM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject; RE; SOS - need a Hand Surgeon

Amen I ,i ce right up

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Sent-Fl"irv.. Auqust t7, 2009 9:54 PM
ro: @)(.kJ) : rr
Subject: RE: SOS - need a Hand Surgeon

Rockstar tlD.{.tzl]
l ll share a cold diet coke with you...

Comnrander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
'f :.-;: ;, - ia.a43 825C

r,om,ffi{p} e Lr
Sent: Monday, Arffust L7,2009 9:40 PM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: SOS - need a Hand Surgeon

Yea cai'nrerockstar. Bytneway thanksforrecognizrngSO#14invuritingtonrght€)

ll .1 l()09
 'll

Edza
From:
Sent:
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE,

',i.':.i. l-.r i - !r.1:; ',',':.ai: '!'..; - ''nAl: I irl wE:ia) the nCVi.e. f arn in no hurry. I arn workinq on
'.,: .' . ...
i , :. ,n:; .

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li. ._

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Ir

It

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CaL:- ne when you want to !.ratch j-t. i

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',

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Stopyra, Christopher CDR

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Sent: Monday, August 24,2409 1:36 PM
ro: UD:[v]l-
1

Subject: RE: 090824

ft)Yull
You an||(-1{@iU have an unstoppable command team-no question.

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
POTS: 757-{43-8250

r'o'[O{Jz]] e Lr
I
Sent: Tuesday, fugust 25, 2009 6:25 AM 'j

To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Subject: FW: 090824

r r..'[[,fr/ryt email exchanges from last night. This is why I love this guy so much, he's just so damn cool. .
i'''1 :r:t
ii!

r-^ Qlt WD [mairto

.Lplt t! )
200e 6:07 AM
ffl*ffr5szbtK""s'
/ t
SubjecF090824
,!: !

From: UbiLUJJ
Sent: Monday, Aqgust 24,200923:04
ro'atJ-Jt l-)
Suoiect: RE: Offic€f Training

If the XO doesn't pull in the TRAINO to set him stroight, I'll be very disoppointed. ft opp*"ri;;#"
'
officer is trying to demond your respecf , moybe because he is insacure obout his role ond position in fhe .

Wordroom. Your exchonge with him & the foct thot Ihe CO rightly sided w/ you will not help this issue, but
it wos necessory ond you hondled it very nicely. I
Still, he, to help him keep his foot out of his mouth ond his heod out of his reor. Thot
needs a mentor
should be the XO's job ot this point, but moy take the CO' s drive and seniority to moke if happen
eff ectively. I've seen issues such os lhis,between unrestricted line ond stoff officers. This is nof on
uncommon theme, especially in the Army. There con be a folse sense of superiority ossociated w/ being in o
community thot cqn leod to commond ot seo. Whot this officer fails to undersfand is thot community
off iliotion does not outomoticolly gront focticol or operotionol proficiency, i.e, just because he wetrs on
lllO SWO pin doesn't meon thot he's ony better thon ony other designstor. ft simply meons, in his cose,
thot he completed o computer bosed troining progrom, did o br.rnch of guols, had a couple of boords, i
:::' 'r

t212!200s
 Page? of 4

atlendedSwOS finishing school ond then completed o SWO guol boord...thot's it. I would put your MD
gualificotionpipelineonihetobleogoinstonyof myguolificofionsonyday. Yourlevelofexpertiseinyour
f ield is more in ltne w/ o Conodion or Royol Novy principol worfore officir (their vErsion of o TAO)...where
they study oll things TAO f or over ?-years bef ore stepping onto o ship. Furth e?mo?e, this of f icer should
look to history, specifically to the role of the ship's doctor during fhe doys the Brit's moster-y of the
seos..,thot would moke o worthy 'training' topic for you to pnovide to the Wordroom :)

Have a nice doy todoy ond continue to olwoys foke fhe high rood :)

xxxO

Sent: Mondav, Auoust 24.2009 22:14

r€-r(vI) :
it
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From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

2ooe 11:oo PM
*:*frj-Ufftz+'
Subject: RE: Officer Training

C'erLt/il 'i:
iF
t&
;l
BZ. Very well done, very classy, and very much right (as usual). .
-
.- j.
i,i:
' '.:.

Keep up the great work.

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
POTS: 757-443-8250

r,o' Dful-Culf 1i

il "11
. ''it
ff:ru'qi7tS*"ha?ffiffriSl LT; loldschmidt, Brian LCDR
i ' i.i
.i.r
CDR -
,_
Cc: Stopyra, Christopher
SubJect: RE: Officer Training

Traino.

First of all, I think it is interesting that you chose to (1) open up this discussion to the whote wardreom instead of
keeping it only between the 4 original people who were privy to the conversation. (2) forward THIS email to the
wardroom rather than the one the CO responded to stating that he agrees with me - that instructorr should
teach to their strengths - evrdenced by the fact that on your lis1, the Supply Ofiicer SWO is teaching a SUPPLY
topic. (3) not respond to my offer that if I teach a SWO topic, then you teach a medical one. I teach MK38, you
i
teach blast injuries
-i:
l:':,
..:

t?!!200e
 Page 3 of 4

ls tactical combat medical care not a part of combat readiness?

I noticed you didn't send this email out under the title of SWO Officer training. You simply wrote Officer Training.
We have 63 first aid boxes, 4 mass casualty boxes and 3 battle dressing stations, an operating room and 2
dental operatories on THIS ship, yet no medical topic appears on the Officer Training schedule. But which is
more likely to happen : fire the MK38 in an other than training setting, or have to deal with a medical emergency
and CASEVAC situatron on the fly?

Force Health Protection is everyone's business. That's why I think we should teach to our strengths.

From:
Sent:
f,lttJ/)l .rG
juoust 24,2009 9:42
.t'4onr1av^ pM
ro'WJLU-)) rr'fQJCt f\ Lr; Gotdschmidt, Brian LCDR
Cc: Stopyra, Christopher CDR; _WARDROOM
Subject: RE: Officer Training

I thought that having a pin meant you had some knowledge of SWO topics. I apologize for the mix up. MED€
and DENT-O will not be on the list.
Once again I apologize for the inconvenience.

Very Respectfully,
Training Otficer

lJpLv J)
J: . /, 1_\
Lf lc p
lrarnrng unrcer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43)
FPO AE 09569-1731
"Home of the Brave

r,o^;ffBfigJl ,-'
Sent: Mondav, nu-oust 2+ 2O{Jg5:03 PM
f(oltlJ) .r;cp{-irJl LCDR
j

ro'
''.: :

cc: stoFvra]-cn-riitopner cFn

-- - I LrJG; Gotdschmidt, Brian .

i.i i..:
J.,
Subject: RE: Officer Training

Alcon

l'm wrth doc too on thifr{p} feel free to teach a class about maxillofacial trauma, and even better to dealwith
my grrlling you after the tecturd and lll teach what you assigned.

li -''

Yes, the doctor will be assigned by the Training Officer to teach SWOs and future SWOs about MK38 25mm
GWS if the Training Officer will teach the Wardioom about the pathophysiology of blast injuries and the autonomic
nervous system reactions within the human body to moment when a human realizes a blast is about to occur.

!. i

12t2,2009 . .:.t :
 Page4of4 i
..:
{

Otherwise, we ought assign topics commensurate with one's area of expertise. I can go either way.

What say you?

l;..'t
i:, ':':

r-r'[p11211 LrrG
Sent: Monday, &Etst z+,2W9 3:45 PM
To: _WARDROOM
Subjec$ Officer Training

Good aftemoon Wardroomt re ,,-

Attached is the Wardroom training Schedule. Congratulations to XO, EN&XrqDISBO, they got.their first .t
choice for topics.

V/R ri;'
Itr-
,fl -i.i
TRAINO t

USS Fort McHenry (LSD43)

FPO AE 09569-1731
"Home of the Brave"

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t2!2;2009
 €ac/ ?e {1
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From:
Sent: Ftil:fifiielioog 1:02 PM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: Bahrain Overnight Liberty

mGItL,I
..ras si rri ng wiilr[p.[/[ ops],nJ.el. .and when ops blurted
it'.s i'oY F- 7's" iru.Llhlf.i}1d Nav were the cniycut
-1 :q
1rl{, "::o i.C someth.ing ro you, b,/c shd-knows her incompeLenc rir a'j

:i L-,,i
reacheC you as a quesrion <.:n site ton.ight .
i-:st. h/,:: J'n rrrer,crs wit{J{Qj}ut r *,ett her hrhat you and I ia:k
I a:acl i cir abO'ret , trra r rtever happens .

trlc 7.iri

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)-; 4i
,fu,H
t+..i 1

a'.:,A : :I i_.. j
: .,,-i;-,..

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tlt ItlD
. i

::., .::. L+:.'.torr :f,a: :,iiil were sure we had submitted for approval E7 arid, lAb'ove 'f cr
.,..-:,.._:,-

-r +r'-y. irJh.:ii : ro;=zo Liie Bahra:r slides a second timl through rTM CoC, to
t')-tr.tlei:, i liui a1:;: sucmjcted for E6 arrd above since r saw lhat Bataan got'
r:'.'i.'ij. fnDli ::;s ;rpcrc)r/eo E6 ancj above for overnight iiberty at your
i :.p,:'.i,:'irt::c i:;r :;ot nLak: nq that clear when I routed the slides the second

(&x(/))

i.l.:: -. ,;

_.,!. {

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 Enc /et Page I of2

&p:ctz:l
From:
Sent:
&ror?tl
Saturday, August 29,2009 8:54 PM
To: Stopyra. Ghristopher CDR
;i

sisned ev
,re{UJj
Subiect: RE; I GUESS STAYING lS THE HARD PART

No - you go run lt's almost time to start the day anyway But I'll definitely take it tonight. Have fun running
Forrest

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Sent:^SUndayr,-Arrgu{st 30, 2009 4:52 AM
ro: UAIbJS,
SubJectTRE: I GUESS STAYING IS THE HARD PART

Yes. but it's just about time for a run anyway.

OK--slrifts sound fine. Do you want 20 minutes now?

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
PO1S i5;"443-4750

r'"ffi)lpJl Lr
Sent:Sunday, Augrdst 30, 2009 4247 AM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: I GUESS STAYING iS THE HARD PART

So are you VJe re going to do thrs in shifts tonighi, then. I rub irour back for 3 hours and then you do run your
frnger tt',rougli nty harr lor 20 minutes 1l ll be WAY out with that) Problem solved.

See you soon

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

200e 4:42 AM i,1
#ww,
Sub'Et: I
f, l'o ;o'
RE: GTJESS STAYING IS THE HARD PART
! -',
r 'f:/
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ll
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w2JLz)l ,t'
1..

Good nrorning. O
You're supposed to be sleeping still.
.
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.
iild:.
J.
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i
 Page 2 of2

.,:, -.ii.
Commander C.M. StoPYra :l*
Commanding Officer il,: i.
USS Fort McHenrY (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
i,'lIS 757-443-8250

r'.o'fb-trjaj'l Lr
Sent: Sindiy, A@[st 30, 2009 4:34 AM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: I GUESS STAYING IS THE HARD PART

Good morning We have nothing going on except Anthrax imms tomorrow. Groundhog day from last night except '1
I 1r nol ie:rv,ng so soon t had aiispidron that you weren't asleep when I left. Too much light pollution also.. 1f{ .,i
:
)on I wory t li ftx this llttle issue :;

From: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR

2e' 200s 11 :48 PM
*I= ffitsVllflT
subjectil GUESS Sfnvtrue Is THE HARD PART

r&r/aD - .\:,

Thanks. That was really good. .'-i

. ii ,iri
.i'i
Now I need to work on staying asleep' t;

Unbelievable.

Commander C.M. StoPYra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) -a

"Home of the Brave"

Pors 757443-8250

;t:
ito
.'',.i .E
. ,i

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 DnCkOvager or4

f4r*ttrrr:
From: [Of tZq Lr i'
Sent: Saturday, August 29,20A9 2:40 PM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: Deployment Awards as of 29AUG09
sisnedBy. t@U'k)l
My mistake then,sorry. Will you be needing plan b thwn? if so, step away from the computer and callwhen you
are ready lf not then sweet dreams
..'

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Sentl5aturday,-August 29, .rt 2OO9 10:36 PM
rcz|{fc{gll it
{.
Subject: RE: Deployment Awards as of 29AUG09
ic.

I relax very well, thank you. ljust may not get as mellow as some when I do.

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort MJHenry (LSD 43) ' .
"Home of the Brave"
POTS 75;-443.8250 :

From: (D)(t6il
_t-:
+,_
,-'"i
-]
I
;

Sent: Satdrday, Aufd(t29,2009 10:25 PM

To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: Deployment Awards as of 29AUG09
: t ii
'/ou :eed rt I don't know why yet, but you have such a difficult time relaxing - much more than I do, at least
: -:

tonight anyway.

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR l

Seng^SaJylda-y, August 29,2OOg 10:23 PM

ro:ftp,J(p\l Lr
'..
suffct: Ft o-e6iovrent Awards as of 29AUG09 .+
..; li

i.. i
Like the calories are really an issue for you. You couid hide behind a lifeline stanchion. ' Ji' ,t ,'
:
'
\liith an eye for aesthetics. I am bewitched by your vanity ' :
-r':-:

So whc will need a back rub first/most?

Commander C.M. Stopyra . ,,, -, ''

Commanding Officer
:

USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)

"Home of the Brave" a j1*
,
!,Ol S ;a7 d43-tj250 :i
t

From:

I l,+,'J009
 Page? o{ 4

Sent; Saturday, August 29,2009 10:15 PM

To: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR
Subject: RE: Deployment Awards as of 29AUG09

I did take benadryl. lt is making me chill

Thanks for the article on etoh For people with a pinch of vanity (like me) higher alcohol by volume 7o means
getting to OZ rn less calories Bravo Drinking by stealth is just another term for alcoholism.

From: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR

10:09 PM

!f
Did you take a benadryl?
2-

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
f,oTS;5i.4.,:i-s?50

From:,UbUZJ-- r
sent: Satildai-nig0-st 29, 2OO9 10 0B PM :
7. ,{i
J

To: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR ;

; ;,F
.: .
Subject: RE: Deployment Awards as of 29AUG09 ri .':
i- .. -,
.;:

As weil as rdentical sleeping tssues. ....

From: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR

Sent: Saturday, August 29,2009 10106 PM 1i

Il,rffi lf.gl);J* Awards as or 2eAUGoe

I.

OK. then we have pretty much identical surfing practices. I have Fox, BBC and believe it or
not. Al Jezeera English on speed dial. NOAA is also there for tides, currents and weather.

Commander C.M. StoPYra

Commanding Officer
USS Forl McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
POI S 7:7-443 tJ250

From:EpJtfZf\ e ir
Sent: saturoay, AuEtust 29,2OOg 10:04 PM ,: '
To: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR
Subject: RE: Deployment Awards as of 29AUG09 'i..1
f,
only
M net surfing is 99% newspapers mosfly. I have cnn on speed dial, Contrary to popular (your) belief, I shop
j
!::

wrth a purpose (buy gifts). I don't window shop online - unless I am helping someone
pick out a cell phone o

Froml Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR

I l'l jl0()9
 .i i."
Page.

Sentl Satufdav. Auoust ?-9,2009 10:00 PM

ro: flb{fu1]
Subject: RE; Defloyment Awards as of 29AUG09

Or in your case, they go to SHOP

Commander C'. M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
PoTS 757-!43-8250

rromftLJ.dtafl Lr
Sent: Saturday, Aug0st 29,2009 9:54 PM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: Deployment Awards as of 29AUG09

Thank you for the expianation. I don't envy your job. I am not sure you will pick up any Medical folks then, and
that s ok tt is my job as the DH to advocaiefor them (basically, respect HMCS's wishes to submit the request), I
admire your willingness to make merit 1st priority, as this is the way it should be. Too often, people are rewarded
for doing thelrJob on a bad day vs. going "over and above". -: i .t=

Perhaps you can offer another round of FLOCs towards the end of deployment, and give more folks a chance to
shine on ine OacX end of this cruise?

Thanks for the bbc article I disagree about net surfing being a big help.
pra^ r: s Try to setile
I rn before 2300 and call when you're ready Maybe start a movie now and get a head
s:ar't cn'eiaxatton

From: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR :

SenH.5atu.rday,*{ggust 29, ZA09 9:47 PM

ro:
subja
[p nr:bjpr6yment
{-?J \ Lr
Awards as of 29AUG09

Don't misunderstand-again, between us, l'm all about the points too, but the nomination,: ' -

starting point is "meritorious"-either way, I think it becomes somewhat arbitrary. The fact,that
Flag O"fficers have dictated some policies on "rank appropriate" awards is arbitrary at besJ' We
witt'stitt recognize our top perforn and I would argue thai the really great ones will g?il't .
points for be-rng Ep and cons
,rty above RSCA with high rating exam scores (wheie it's less :i

lf it were only about the points, we would target points for those who really need them (based
on status orirrun;. I ptan to be consistent and oblective but even across rates there will-'have -tl" -,t t
to be some subjectivity-l'm preaching to the choir-you already know this stuff. Amen.

Commander C.M. StoPYra

Commanding Officer
USS Forl McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
F OT S 757-443-1i250

From: @rta:],.,
Sent: Saturday, August 29, ZO09 9:33 PM

ll 4,'l(x)c)
 I1
l,lt . t ,)

Page 4 of 4 l:

To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Subject: RE: Deployment Awards as of 29AUG09

Just be consistent. Erther be the "meritorious' guy or be the points guy. I freely admit that my nominations are for
points. not for meritorious service.

Sorry the med rs not workrng. You know plan b. call when ready.

,.' '. i
From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR ii
i.t
,r{
Sent: Saturday, August 29,2009 9:25 PM
To: .T
Subject: RE: Deployment Awards as of 29AUG09

[olItz))
Between you and me, this is an example of "ready. fire, aim" on the XO's part.

There was some (very little) discussion as to some of the folks that were downgraded or
removed and some that were displaced from FLOC to NAM were not necessarily discussed. li i,i
So this is not "final" by any means. Also, I have not seen a single citation or summary of action -la - nE
l-t :4i
so it would certainly be premature at best. 1; ::?
:t::,-'
:"j:I'
I hope that helps (so far the Benadryl hasn't).

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
p() ts ;57 443.t\25C

From: Goldschmidt, Brian LCDR :+ iii,

tF,, f
't:g'ijr
le
tt.'
,,**'t_

ALCON.
I have briefed the CO on our Deployment Awards proposal. The attachment spells out what has been
approved at this point in time. Everyone on the FLOC list needs to have the citation and '1650 tumed p -
to me
rulf f AOO on 03SEP Some personnelwere downgraded and some personneldid not make the cut..
Remember however that we are only half-way through this. There is still the backload, BRIGHT STAR,
washdown, country engagements, COMRELs, etc that should provide ample opportunity for demonstrated ' ' ''
excellence on the job There is still ESWS to earn, SOQs to award, CAP nominations to preBare. Your Sailors
i..
-!'
.:f.;, :$l:
rji:.:
still have many opportunities to be recognized. The only thing that is "closed out' is the opportunity for FLOCs
while in the 5th Fleet AOR. '.- r -1'.
ld:
lf you have questions about the personnel that were downgraded or "fell out" come and see me in person. '!:'
I will not publish that in an email.
XO

LCDR Brran Goldschmidt

XO. USS FORTMCHENRY (LSD43)
xo@lsd43 navy.mil ( smil mil)
currently away from homeport

13,'+,'lt)09
 )nol 3t page I c,r'3

EQYJA Lr
*o-,(b{VD
-.
'€Lr
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 3:29 PM
ra' c stoPh er c D R
,
ffiltt\\.PY h ri

Subjtsct: fe:
sisnedBy: gp )[6)
ok

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Sent: lYlonday,.August 31, 2009 7I:27 PM

I:ilghl'ulv
Goodnighr trbJaCIDf
I'll call if I can't fall asleep soon.

,QOl1fi]r,
'j

From: . ,ll:
'i ;:F
Sent: Monday, Ruguf3l, 2009 11:11 PM .j 11.

li
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR i

Subject; RE:

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

*
Sen-t:-l,londay, August 31, 2009 11:06 PM

I:,[P*tzD
Whoa. I missed the black cami chillaxing-a totally different image from the "Halloween Mess"
the other day. O Silly

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Forl McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
fl:fq ;67"^e'1.9)'\r)

,,o.,@l{LrJ\*
Sent: Monoay, Augu5f31,2009 11:04 PM t;
.

o,'
ii"
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: .:
'j

Coo,' ; ll prck rt up iomorrow if the NEX has it.

::r:j

l2t1t2tJ09
 Page 2of3

1-l
From: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR
Sent: Horrdav. AuoustiJ, 2009 11:01 PM
rrr (-(r)J LV )-J 'l
suuje,ft-:he:--
It's just a matter of time for plan B.
:

Here's a review note on the book Survival of the Sickest that I thought may interest you. I
thought it was a good (and quick) read.

I hure ulvtt.t'.s heen puzzle cl h1' the .,4'4y in vyhich genelic' disease s hen'e ntanaged to strvive throughottt
the uga.r. I lou' t'ould il he thut thc:;e diseuses v)ere cthle to u,ilhsland the evolutionary pracess, v,here
onll tht,most fit suryit,e, ttnclcontinue to be lransferretl.fi'om one generaliort lo lhe next? Survivalof the
Sickcst pntriclcs u thoug,ht ltro,voking .t,cl enterluining explunalion to this puzzle.

ln thi;; in.right/ul htutk l)t'. Sltttrort :l,loulent c{cntonslrcrles ltou' crsnditictns' lhat are considered unhealth.v
l.suc'h u.s henochrontatos'is. tliahete s. antl high choleslcrol), or even ileadly in exlrente coses, might
trc'tuull.t ptil lhcir c'urricrs at un uclt,untugc in combutingother life-tltrealeningillnesses, For example,
' 'i

he explttitr.t tlteil hctnocht'omilosis, u disea.se thut, i/'le./i untt'eated, u'ill kill you, mery have aclually fieen
tt de/in.se ugctin,s't thc deutlliest pundemic in hislorT,--lhe hubonic plague during the I4th century. It lurns
out thilt lhi.t genatit' tnutulion. y,hit'h c'ontinue.y to be trtctssed dou,n lhrough generations, actually helped :r l.
.\pure mun.r' livc.t ctt one poittl. n;
:::t
lr,;
'fhrutughottl tha hook, Dr. .fi4aalent clrau,s mctny cot?neclions helween seemingly disparule sttbjects, sttch
us the ttc't'itlentul invention o./'ic'e v'ine and cold diuresis, in order to illurlrate the hasic mechanisms r4f
genatic'.r ttntlntetlic'ine in c'hurming und intuititte v'a),s. He skiltfully inlervt,eaves his kntsu'ledgeoJ'
histor.t,, !:cnctics, cutd medicine not only u.t lhey relule to spccific medical conditions bul also in a u,ay
thut udtlre:;.ses imprtrtunt chullenges o/'moder"n societv- cutd our.fulure evolulion.

ln the nto,;t generul tern'ts, Dr. Moulem's tlescriptktn rt'lhe human hody and it,s conzplexity Ieft me in au,e
of funr.fhr $c hutc c'onte in our unclerstanding of'hiolo54t und medicine, u,hile also being reminded thut
thc nrurl to untlerstunt{ing otn'sclvc,y i:; still tidc open vvith ntuch more to l.earn in the decades, und et'ct1
L'ct'tturic.\. !o L'on1e. It i:; u./hntustic.journel; on u'hic'h he Icads us und Dr. A,loulem is a kind, :-I'i.l
kn ort I e i ge ct h I e. h m or ot,r ;,^, u n tl he tp/il t gu i d e.
u
i: : 'l'l

. r- .

r,onbJLU/)-\ Lr
senffiorlouvl Ksdtt 31, 2009 10:57 PM , r.
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE:

Yes but I DO need one. so thanks for being my crutch.

:I,. _i;f
!,'.
Since you re not getting horizontal anytime soon then, I m getting back in my little black cami and chillaxing. You
can a:ways cali rf y6, need plan b,

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Sen$i$4qnqay, August 31, 2009 10:53 PM
ro.Ut@)) Lr

lli4.'l()09

t,
 Page 3 of3

Subject: RE:

OK, Buddy e
I didn't need an excuse, it was happening anyway.

As for sleep. it's not coming so soon. I ii

ir
t
Commander C.M. Stopyra :
Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
POTS 757.441.8250

From: UDLUj) ,r,

Sent: Mdnuay, Hldfst 31, 2009 10:50 PM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE:

It's not that bad you don't need to be staying up anyway. And now you have an excuse to be housed elsewhere
i
for tne whole week and since you need a lib buddy, so do nice going, .. . .. ...
,F
t't
r.-i
;.'
From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR t,
qr,:.i
Sent: t&tday, Augqst 31, 2009 10:48 PM
ro: C{DJL@} ,r:i
Subject:\,E: -
shit!

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer i
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) t.t
+fr,...i
"Home of the Brave"
r,OiS 75,7.443.8250

From: A@LUJ\,
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 10:47 PM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject:

It's too bad your tv is hosed. Remember that movie we saw the end of, with the 4 guys in vegas? lt's on now,.
Very funny - clever funny.
nY'
You need a new tv,
li
u'.
.tt:
itr

t , .1 il
; !,i tli.:
;..
a : ". .::: .i
'q

12,4:1009
 lint 3z Page I of I

[pt(p)) rr
,)-, 17at0al ,,
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 5:08 AM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: advice

Why rs she tracking this and how would you like me to answer? Do I have to answer her at all? YOU know
wnere I rn going and she is not a CDO The less these people about you and I are doing the better.

Thank you for your wise counsel, gator man.

$"Jl ,]
ny EN: AAIIRY'.PNENS; 4
'j :t
',t1.

g":'W(g)) rENS;
i,.

r LT;

:a ITC; 'Jl\
b
e ENS
iMCS; 'HT( LT
C(Ntot'fJ'", cwo2,
raL
_W LMULM:
Nbn
sht I/P€AH
rE

ALCOrl-,
lrlc.rsc ttst' thr' lirrk bc'lorv lo alrnotate rvhether or not ycru n'ill request overnight liberty in BAH. Place an x on
the clav (l -6) that you are requesting o/n liberty and complete the spreadsheet with location for overnight stqy
and a recall nunrber. Please provide vour input by 1500. Thanks!

S: I:XtjCLjl'lvt; StIARF.D\KllAKl O:N tsAll,xl.s

I{' Vru tulr

Olficer J
Supplv
uss t,oRl' MCHENRY (LSD43) ,- :'i
FPO AE 09569-1731
POTS: 757413-8365
sllPPo(i I sd:l]. naYJ.ttt i I
suppo:ri !.ld:13, 94y-r,.-5p j l,p! I

"-ftt" i.tpn,,riililry ;i power is like holcling an egg. Grasp it too tightly ancl it will drip through your fingers; hold
it too looselv and it will drop and break." - Ashanti proverb

1'
-.1

l21320l)9
 fa./ g,
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From:
Sent;
&ttz:f Lr
Monday, nu-gust 31 2009 8:59 AM
To: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR
Subject: BE-Overnisht-UP BAH
Signed By: earw) ) ilii: ''i
ir iI
tt r:
: , i:ke iJ. l-rtmes cff after the XO briefs" you, as you are not supposed to know about this yet.
a.t

ycl c ue the xo rn on thrs as a pnvacy issue? You approve an!,o1ly. you, the CDO of the day and the immediate
Btvr can
(.ocneeckr.rcw ENS.spaceinvader"doesnbtneedtoknowwhoHMCSishangingoutwith. Afterl9yearsofservice.
re iJeseives some prlvacy I dOn t even want to know who he's hanging out withl!

See you at dtnner

From: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR

?:iW3tth9''. : UiTi i i; r
y, ;+ '
1t'r
r*-J-

Subject: RE: Overnight I/PBAH "1,: ,' ;)

-iake
rrine off too, since I won't enter it anyway.
'..,1
Commander C.M. StoPYra
Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenrY (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
F,O'rS 157-44:i 82i0

,
r'"'lp{0Al i; if,fti.h
i4
Lr
Sent: Monday, August 31,2009 4:47 PM
jj-:!
.
To: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR i!,
Subject: FW: Overnight VP BAH

11: s rnaKrng rt worse for us. Can I delete nly name from the table, since I am taking leave'?
l,
Fto

. r;r'
'-r r:*I j
rrj ,f:-

:).:,.-,

ALCON
Attached rs the overnight tiberty policy as approved by CTF 51- This is what we rnust adhere to. SUPPO's ;.
,,+3lii
the informed decision with full f, '.f',
crevious enrarl allows us to calture in one documeni tne requests so that the co can make i'-r fi.:,ii'
!$.1:
l{
i;r :-
 SA I need to brief the CO tonight after OPS/INTEL so that you all cen start making reservations. (With the CO's
approval. that ts) i.
:
i
' !.Vhat nrght do you desrre overnight?
2 -
Whc isiare your lrberty buddres? Need to add this field to the spreadsheet
3 Hotel address/phone nunrber can be filled in before you depart the shrp.
R/XO

.:.: Filc: Scalrrrcd_.pdl' >>

LCDR Bnan Goldschmidt
XO. USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43)
xc@lsd43.na_vv mrl (.smrl mil)
currently away from homeport

, :il
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:.

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J

,; , l, -.,
f:, :r 1i,'
,\t.C()N,
I'ltrase ust, thc link belorv to annotatc" whether or not you will request overnight liberty irr BAFI. Itlace an x on the da1,
(l-6r that )'ou ar(f requesting o/n libertv anc{ comple te the spreadsheet with location for overnightstay and a recall
rrunr[xrr. [)le"ase provic{c'-\rour input bt, 1500. I'hanks!

t.._l_\1rI tl\_l Sl lAl<lrl)\. Kl lAKl ()-N ttAI"l.rls>

V r'r', It,
t.t'
Srrpply C)fficcr
USS IJOI('| MCI II]NIIY (LSD-43)
Irl'O AI: 09361t-173'l
I'() I S: 757--113-tt365
i.
: l p])r-t1'-11d{
l. ll.!.}J-'JrLl r .i!

titil#:,*t1niffi;H#r 'l ',jf

t.
is like'hol<tirrg arl ess. Grasp itoo righrly and ir wilt drip through your fingers; hold it.too it
tt :,;,.'
..
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kroselv ancl it r'r ill clrop arrd break." - Ashanti proverb .i{
t: --'r'
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From: [bt?lD : Lr
ll
I

Sent: Tuesday. September 08, 2009 12'.44 AM

To; StoPYra, ChristoPher CDR
Subiect: RE: THANIdS .<--
srsneo B!,Y@JLU J )
Listen stop trving to settle up Have you any idea how much it was worth to me NOT to have to walk to the bus
srcp in :re neat tfrrs past week or to never have to watt fcr a ride anywhere or to never have to worry that my
liber:.; DLjogy rs not gotng to let me do whatever I want. etc. for all that, it is I who owe you - BlG. lt all works out
in tre end thcugh doesn t it?

Now go sail your shiP

From: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR

SenliTuesday.Segtember 08, 2009 8:32 AM
ro:lJlll[Qr J
Subje&: RE: THAfiKS
)ir 1Jj

I't .'r:.

Well. tet me give you the $10 for the cable and ai least half of the DVD player. .a

Comrnander C.M. StoPYra . ,l '-J1{

:, -:tl
.l i*
Commanding Officer i. ':
ct
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) t:
t.
i

"Home of the Brave" 1

Pl-;:S 7t"-a43-8250

,,o.",ffbf,-(.rJl,
'-t 08, 2009 8:31
Sent: TGday, Septdmber AM
To: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR
Subject: RE: THANKS

Corn21 Only the mini-mart was open, the NEX upstairs was closed. I had to do this
::; l)))))) to set vou the
cable How do you place a price on the priceless ??? I t':

[ne pc:rabte DVD rs a sharrng rtem I can actually use it on the TV in my room also on days when you are tres-
bus'' 'ii';l' '-':i
' '''

From: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR

rc)t?ll
Thank you for making the NEX run

I definrtely owe you some coin

. .:,! ,
n;+'1009
 I' r ;
i:. i
.iti . 'i'
';-
Page 2 of 2

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
POTS r-57-aa3-8250
I l:.r

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 €no/Jl
From: V'tll{z]-\ '
rr
\rtEon-esoafi;eptember 09, 2009 12:25 PM
Sent:
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE:

i.t-.":',s packaoe v.,as cn Traino's desk at 1500 (Lhe lst one). As usual, anything Lhat has to
:-::',':I',,e :rirn gets f 'd up. I can bring you a ccpy direcely.
- - - - -Original. Message-- -- -
From: SEopyra, ChristoPher CDR
seni:r-I4ednqsdav-september 09, 2oO9 8:24 PM
ro: LJPI LV J I
Lr
Subj ect : RP:

ol:.
A lot depends on Eraining teams (where's the MTT package?) '

A-t I ha./e seen so far is the CSTT package'

. 'i1,

i :i:: sa" ,,': ih ce::ta:nEy thaE at 2200 the door geLs a DND sign
Commander C.M. StoPYra
commanding officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of che Brave"
POTS: 757-443-8250
- - - - -Or.l--ginal-,Mesgage- -
From: eID J Ld1z J- \ : Lr
To: Scopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE:
.' rA
ll.i- I me when 'uou're ready (real-Ly ready - no interruptions)
.c.
:l'
,l .
t. - ','Ir :Gd,
-----Original Message----- "
' 1' ':i zi

From: Stopyra, ChristroPher CDR

Sen!: -Wedn-es.dav, Septsember 09, 2009 8:05 PM

i;j &b^itu)-l
:-
Subi eEt RE :
Lr

Def ini cety

Commander C.M. SLopyra
Commanding Officer
USS ForE McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Braver
POTS: 757-443-8250
- - - --Orrqrnai Messaqe-----
:;:l; f$,J"L.gDn."*i"i"or, 2oos -t :24 PM
', ' ri.-.
To: SEopyra, Christopher CDR
Subj ecc : : J

Let's watch Phantom of the Opera on DVD tonight. You up for that?
 Pagerorr
/*Jgc
WXA: LT

From: (i3_ttttS;1 Lr ;, !.:,i

Sent: Saturday, Sefember 12.20Og 1:00 PM t;
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: we really shouldn't pick on the weak and /tarded
sisnedr:,
I{q{v)l
Lr [re\tu)-)
Btw lust between us. I noticed that you still didn't ask You don't "drop me notes" - you ask me if I can spare my
cnly lstclass LPO for thrs task away from his regular mission oriented departmental tasking.
vou :a,r a)oirt r-re havrng bad form" and yet continue to display it on your end. lf you and Ops are having issues,
you ,shouiil sroo worryrng about who gets cc'd on email and square yourselves away so that no one feels the need
tf, cc aryofte aoc;ut etther of you

I{rypr6v11
' .!r
.: .t
.1 :+
::Hk*kSL*. 12, zoos4: 13 PM 'ii '_F'l
;r : l
]; tKP-[?m.., Llu, respect
til,Kq#rkil -t:
Xo specificatly mentioned HMI when we were tatking about people that do great art work. I ,t
I
.- :t" :t
i
should have dropped you a note regarding the tasking. I did not intend for it to interfere with his duties. i:i
On a sep;i!'aie note rf you are going to try to call me out please do not rnclude your enlisted leadership and the
CO XC i,' rl-e CC I have always tied to lrandle problems at the lowest level. Placing any issues the department
neads n-ra i nave..wrth each to the other levels of the COC just shows bad form. I believe Ops is have the same
it. I would appreciate the same
ff:.# ll_rrptt ty
, had a problem with you I would come to you to address

Vlr

'-EkltkI
From (/ll Lr
September 12,2009 1:53 PM
Tol J
Cc: Brian CDR; Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: Professional respect
&141 HMcs

Good afternoon.

It seens we need a lesson rn professional respect. Since when did,Lge-cJqm{ok for you to task my only 1sr class
LPO for a 1ob that you need by tomorrow without asking me first? 4 (O'LA I {aiting to do a spot check with il'r ri*
HM1 and now is supposed to wait longer for a prop you knew you vldfe goinSJb need over a week ago? , i'
l.legalrve shrpmate Your last minute deadiine does not constitute an emergent tasker on my part or the part of
anyone on my staff. especrally not at the expense of the Medical Department's duties.

Ifvpur)f
t
ff
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I

lli-t12009

11 .,q
 6rck? Page I of I

LT
fp_)Lrrt
From:
Sent:
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subiect: RE: world's oreatest dad
sieneo By' t@Y(/)l
Not in the mood. I haven't felt despair in a long time, but I have a big dose of it right now. You have an ineffective
xo now who needs mentoring badly, and we don't need the 3 stooges who can barely tread their own water to
,.nove iip tc that position for 5 minutes. nevermind 5 days.
..t
Enloy the stars. l'm going to bed.

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

2ooe 6:53 PM
*tET[uj$H'13'
Subje-t: greatest
RE: wotld's dad

GooC stars-very irttle light pollution.

My charr w,ll be open for a while +- ;t.

r r, j.lt

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) . : -'
"Home of the Brave"
POTS: 757443-8250
. ,i

g?T' rkX9*D.'-], r, 2ooe 2 : 55 PM

To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR i

Subject: world's greatest dad t ':r;'b

, ,:r,,j
Go to this link and send one of these items with the twilight dvd:

http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/LicensedGear/NewMoon.jsp?cm-re=Homepage---Box+2---New+Moon

j:i' :

12t3t2009
 /t /st Page r orr
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From:
Sent:
ltU&it Lr
Wednesday,September 16, 2009 2:16 AM
To: Stopyra, ChristoPher CDR , .

Subject: RE: ..:

sisnedBy: (iff&l]
t{o I -ealrr silent wrt all the insults, slander and inappropriate content of her email. I am perfect willing to get all
.rp rri tne f OE and Frat policies for a good counter argument, as well as call her out on other contents of her
ernar. But that would mean you, by virtue of the fact that you are the center of their jealousy, would get dragged
r'1 I don t want that for you That is all the silence I will offer, believe me.
I ar qurte su:'e that asrde from the 3 grrl DHs and CSCS, there are far more people on this ship that have a
iavoraore opinlor"r of me than her.

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

*"ffdt',rTyo"' 15' 2ooe 1o:oe AM
*il' ! :i
l.- 'I
Subject: RE: ti - :.1

Iiline to you as well. ',i t.:

:::.-

Don t lre too abrupt lest you conftrm hearsay.

Keep doing your job well-advise me on health of the crew in all regards including perceptions
that I ask for from you. That is to say do not sit in the corner and remain largely silen!, Noppe
benefits from that. Positive changes have come in a large part from perceptions that only,$st'
the damn doctor" can have, O
:-,
BTMi l'rn as bad an offender for going back to the pantry-we'll behave to not disrupt food ;1':l: i!
:,' r:1, ;-:l
productron Itr*, ,_f
' 'fs;-. : '1
11!

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Comnranding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
I'OTS 757 143.t)250

.r
'-"btLtzif
Sent: W-ednesday,Sptember 16, 2009 9:59
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
AM
,l.t,
,I
Subject:

My srncerest apologies to you for any trouble I have caused as manifest by your Supply Officer email of
''concerns
I will remain largely silent and in a corner to placate the jealous and insecure few so that no further inconvenience
comes your way.

.:,tl

ll'4i200() " ;i,,. .lt

-tl= t,:l ,

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 En /t,
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From:
Sent: W*gP"l,l*ou, 16, 2ooe 2;5e AM
To:
Cc: Hk"Sk');ifflc o n ; stopyra, c h ristop h er c D R
Subject: RE:Wardroom Etiquette

t
' ' , fp.rt"ik!'.t in w'iti.g f.r'a re.as'rr. 't'trat's all I have to say or1 this subject Thanks! ,iti
'ratter.

l', LCr\[ra51
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I- SS II(
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)I{T' MCI.I
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su nrrtvr,rlsd{i. rravtt.nr il
surrrrr>,?i'lsti-l3.trat,v.sntil.trtil '
"'l'lre rr:s1:onsibilih, of
}rorver i-s like holciirig (rn egg. Grasp it kro tightl_y and it w'ill r{rip through your fingers; hold it too
loost'lv arrd it rr'ill tllopr a1ld brcak.' - Aslrtrnti provt:rlr .: . r. . i,' .
t&.'
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itl:-ir l

Sent; Wednesday,-september 16, 2009 9:55 AM ..1.::,:i.,

I

rof-@ {-(pll , Lr
Cc: Goldschmidt, Brian CDR; Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: Wardroom Etiquette

,.'tb{v)l
Thank you for your email. First, I did make my usual salad on the day the Commodore visited. Tlq Q.O-didn't wan[gne_ ,
lfbL(l)\ :i ,,;
_

tnat Oay. though I did offer. The CO is not spe'cial. I would do that foianyone who asked. Ask CSLWA9d DCFi
- I have offered them as well, Second, I have a ponytail chit that I purchased 10 weeks ago fromputMWR fhatexpiresbn -/' F!'' if
Sept 22"o. I interpreted the Commodore's visit as equivalent to being inport, so it was my call to my hair up, though I il_: , -

was authorized to keep rt down if I wished. Lastly, I do not appreciate your slander/hearsay, so you better watch what you
p": in writirg

I am happy to oblige your requests regarding the galley. I invite you not to insult my food choices, as they aretar healthier
than anything you offer, whrch is a shame since you were placed in charge of the healthy menu choices portion of the
l-:ealrh and Wellness Commrttee last year. I will address your other concerns in the near future. Right now, I actually have
responsibilities to the combat readiness of this ship and do not have time to address all the inappropriate aspects of your
email

,i laotru)]
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ft-*'
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,n- i' --.
16, 2009 9:25 AM
LT
CDR; Stopyra, Christopher CDR -1 .

Subject: Wardroom Etiquette

tlmkp,t
has [rec. brought to m;' attention that you have beerr using the gridc{le in the wR pantry to make
breakfast for vou ancl the CO in thc nrorrriug f'here is a reason why we have Culinary Specialists arrd Food Service
i\ttr.nclants onlroartl. I'his is not ]'our hou-se. I'his vessel belorrgs to the Navy. You belong to the Navy. There are rules it l:c
ili .l
.

:pr ';;
 ancl regulations that must be ac{hered to. Walking around stating that you can do what you want, you can break the rules,
ii arryoire vglls at -\,ou, you'll just tell the CO, is rather unprofessional and imnrature. lt sends the wrong message to our.
junior sailors ancl-supports/confirms any perceprtion they have of what could be an unduly familiar relationship.
Aclclitiorrallr', it disrupts goocl order arrd discipline arrd sets a bad example to our crew.

I clor curr€ntl,"- in a ver-y, very aw'kw'ard positiorr - understand that I have observed the "inappropriateness" of all this for
qrrite sonre time, but have remained silent, convinced that it was all irrnocent. I can no longer ignore nor deny that this is ,
iirappropriate or that it cloes not promote a hostile working environmetrt. I have in'rplemented measures to deter the j

ricticulous salad nraking, enfry into the pantry, etc - all to no avail. My efforts are futile. At one point, I could say ttrat this
w,as all innocent ant{ due to naivetd, but when the Commodore was onboard two days ago - the salads were not made
and your hair was within regs.

Pkrase take the tinre to reac{ the following instructions, the Navy Policy on Equal Opportunitv, OPNAVINST 5354.1F and
thc l;raternization Policv, OPNAVINS'T 5370,2C. I

f)lcrase stay,out of the galley. You are rrot tlre Suppo/FSO, a CS, FSA, PMT, XO/CMC conducting messing and trcrthing,
or thc. (.O. I could understand if you were going back there once in a while, but every meal, disrupting the flow of food ,

;-rro<'lr.rction? - No. lf vou need something, ask the FSA's or the CS's for it.

! ,:'r
his is subrnitted for situational ar4'areness. T'rust me when I say, the entire crew is talking
I - all it takes is one phone call
.rnd our lives alc in havoc. 'l'his is simply rrre, Iooking out for the good of the Command. ,t''

I hanksl

' -.L

lt.'
f 'ublull
Suppl)'(Jttrc(tr )
uss FoR't ivrcl tENItY (LSD-43) l.- =t
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lr[,o AE 09569-173f ,
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I'O-IS: 757-4'13-8365 ''':

s u lr lrcritDls cl.l3. rr a vl-. nr i l

suPpotqi;lsr,l43. nav.v.smil. nril
'' lhe responsibilify of wilt ctrip through your fingers; hold it too
[lor4,er is like holcting an egg. Grasp it too tightly and it
looselv antl it rvill clroP snsl break." - Ashanti proverb

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To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

:;. 1:
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Subject: long, sorry ':' 'i
signed By, Eb LUI] -, i tP

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I hate being right all the time. I also hate suppressing my need to square away a wrong when presented to me.
BUT, I am showing this to you first, before I send rt. And yes it is a permission seeker. You know that I have
always ano will always continue to support your decisions. Obviously, I am a bit myopic with anger today" But if
you say no. then I won't send it. Promise.

ln response to your email this morning, my reply is in bold print.

,, reJLU'
Good morning! lt has been brought to my attention that you have been using the griddle in the WR pantry to il$i
make breakfast for you and the CO in the moming. There is a reason why we have Culinary Specialists and Food
tTt
!*:rvjce Aftendants onboard. This is not your house. T'his vessel belongs to the Navy. You belong to thq.Navy.
J'here are rules and regulations that must be adhered to.
li l'
ij-
",
(1) When I checked aboard this ship there was no indoctrination haining of any kind with respect to
allowablc activity in the WR pantry. If there are, as you say "rules and regulatione that must be
adhered to," than the Supply Department has failed in its responsibility to provide me training, or
even direction with respect to those rules until this belligerent email arrived today. You are correct, I
have cooked breakfast a few times in the WR pantry, and not one of your staff rnembers has informed
me that I was not allowed to do so, even though rnany of them had ample opportunity to do so at any
time.
(2) .l'hcre is no sign on either the Wardroom Pantry door or the door to the scullery that indicates who is . rf
or is not allowed in those areas. I have a photograph of both these doors that I took today to refresh J
your memory, There are, however, several other Supply spaces that do have such signs, and therefor.e, 'il:,
.t:1
I have never entered those spaces. Thus, if you are looking to assign blame for my entering thg WR
pantry, you ought to look in a minor.

Walking arourrd stating that you can do what you want, you can break the rules, if anyone yells at you. you'll just
tell the CO, is rather unprofessional arrd immature. lt sends thc *'rong message to our junior sailors and . .

suplx,rts../(onfirmsarrvperceptionthcylraveof whatcouldbeanunclulyfamiliarrelationship. Aclditionally,it'

tiisruPt5 gocld rrrcler and cliscipline alrd seits a bat{ example to ourcrew.

'l-his above paragraph is pure stander. You have absolutety no personal knowledge that such has occurred. I
, ,1.

consider this abiect character assassination, discrimination and outright seeds of a hosHle working
environment. The final blow is that your first attack is rnade public to the people who write my fitness report,
It
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placing my career as a Naval Officer in jeopardy, , ,
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I crrl currcntlv irr a vcr.\', verrv ar,r'kvr,ard F)osition - unclerstanri that I have observecl the "inappropriateness" of all
this for cluitc sontt tinre, but have renraincd silent, convinced tlrat it was all innocent. I can no longer ignore nor
denv that this is inappropriate or that it does not promote a hostile working environment. I have implemented
measures to deter the ridiculous salad making, entry into the pantry, etc - all to no avail, My efforb are futile. At
one point, I could say that this was all innocent and due to lraivet6, but when the Commodore was onboard two
davs ago - the salads were not made and your hair was rvithin regs.

Again, this above paragraph is a repeat affront to my characte4 and it is the first time EVER that you have said
\i
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t2i2|2009
 Page? of}
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anything to rne. That you waited so long to address an issue that has bothered you for sometime is not my
burden, it is yours. It is also factually incorrect. As I mentioned in my first response email, I did have a salad t:
for lunch. Also, I possess an MWR chit for my hair that expires on 22 September. The chit always me to wear
my hair in a ponytail whenever I choose. Once again, the slanderous statements and the hostility you have
shown me in this email are wrought with discrimination.

Pleast'tai,e tlrc tirnc to rctrcl tlrc follon ing irrstructions, thtr Navy Policy on Equal Opportunity, OPNAVINST
5351.ll; arrcl tlrc l;rntcrnization Irolicy, OPNAVINS'I'5370.2C.

I have read thesr', thank you very muclr.

I'lease stav out of the galley. You are not the Suppo/FSO, a CS, FSA, PMT, XO/CMC conducting messing and
berthing, or the CIC). I could understand if you were going back there once in a while, but every meal, disrupting 'I
i- -r
:
the flou' of food production? - No. If you need something, ask the F€A's or the CS's for it.

I am happy to comply with your rules, now that I have had my FIRST education as to what those rules are.

I'his is srrbmitted for situational awareness, 'l'rust me n'hen I say, the entire cre$' is talking - all it takes is one
phonc call artr'l our lives are in havoc. 'fhis is simply nre, looking out for the good of the Command.

I appreciate your concern for the Command,

I pledge to never again enter the Wardroom Pantry. i.

I pledge to have my hair within regs after my chit runs out, unless MWR sells more chits. l;i - ..j
I i. ',;
,
e
I ptedge to continue making "ridiculous" salads because they are HEALTHY, but will ask a CS or an FSA for ll
!t , :

any ingredients I need if they are available. :..;

I can rrrake rro pledge wrt the slander you put forth, sorry.

I believe this addresses your concerns, now this is what I expect from you:

(1) Under no circumstances is slander or hearsay allowed in written communication.

(2) I'ut signs on the doors of the spaces you do not wish people to enter.
(3) ('onduct training on things you think people should know. Didn't your lack of a training program ..
manife'st with respect to OPSEC and striped trash bags?
(4) lf .you have a question about my hair or any other regulation you think I am ignoring, ask: There is a
1()0'l ,, ch.rnce I can show you that I am in the right.
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You have your step I of 4,now I have mine. ' ta
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 En l 71 Page I or4

Goldschmidt, Brian CDR

From: @{ V) rt
Sent: Sunday, Feplember20,2009 1'.27 AM
ro: IaDJLI4 tt 4
Cc: Stopyra, Christopher CDR; Goldschmidt, Brian CDR
Subject: RE: Wardroom Etiquette

,,l-(pJ(kD
(loocl rtrornirrg! 'l'h?rrks for taking tlrr.' titne to address the concerns set forth in my initial email. It was
alrsolutelv Lnlleccssarv ... I clo not wtrnt to go lrack ancl fortlr on this matter. I have addressed your conrments
Lrcklr,*. Note. nrt,r:orurnertts in blr"re.

"lf l'm unwilling to use my name, there's reason to believe that my rnotive is to hurt, not to help." - IAL
I r'rskr'tl lr,l)ri$(rl rlht,n I scnt this irril.ial cnrail. I ri-skecl geiting resp(nrses Iike thc one you serrt btlow. However, I
still clrose to scnti it - that wa.s nrv struggle *,ith all of this. 'fhe risk I was taking. I have over a year left
onboarcl. I riskeicl having to use mv cotrtrectiotis to get off the slrip as soon as possible and screw up our (
and I) T'ltl-). I clitl not walrt to acldress this at.rll.

I ir,rtl rr' irrlt'rrtiorr trr dt'fanrr: r'orr [r1's(.n({ing this t:nrail. Ncrte, I lracl severtrl oPtiorrs on hort'this coultl be
arkllr.srt'r: .ln(l clr()s('to odtlrr'ss it tltts rvtrv. Also notc, tlrat lcoulrl havt IlCCled the chairr of conrnrand orCCecl
thc \\ li liht. I lairro rlicl rergarr.linu l\ ll trainirrg.

I lrrncstir', I nrt',ln ut,ll. ll'-r'ou calr't stc that, I r.lolr't. ktton' r+'haI to sa,v. I apologize if you think that I t.rlas trying to
lrlast vtrrr irr lrrrnt of the th,rirr ol ctrttrttttrnd. No, that was not the ilrtent in CCing the Chain of Command. If
.rl-\'one tleciclE's kr take, .lction arrcl lrring this up outside the chain of comnrand, we're all at rjsk - that was the
pu rl't()s().

;l
.:-

ll; E@ )Ue)l
Supplv Officc:r
USS i:OR'l' lvlCll-lF.N li\' 0.SD-13)
I:l'o r\fi l!9569-1731
l'O I'S: 757-{-t3-t1365 :

lscl-l3.navv. rrr.i I
srr ppo(r,j
su ppoltDlsd43.navy.smil. m i I
'"I'he responsibility of lrower is like holcling an egg. Grasp it too tightty ancl it u,ill drip through your fingers; hold
it too loosclv and it rvill c{rop and break," - Ashanti proverb
*rt
: iil
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200e 7:12 AM
trtt6'fdt'it*#*'20' 't
Cc: Stopyra, Chrfstopher CDR; Goldschmidt, Brian CDR
Subject: Wardroom Etiquette

Gc,orr rnorrrins r.'UQ.tb

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 Page 2 of 4

l'his is strbmitteci for sihrational awareness. In response'to your email, my reply is in bold print

't"Fk,)"!ryh* bee' brought to my attention that you have been using the gricldle in the wR Panhy to ll't ',
t1ake. trreakfati-for yn,ancl the CO in the monring. There is a reason why.we have Culinary Specialists and Food
Service AtterrdatrLs onboar<l. This is not your house. 'I'his vessel belongs to the Navy. You belong to the Navy. J
'fhure are rulc's and regulations that must be aclherecl to.

(1) When I checked aboard this ship there was no indoctrination training of any kind with respect to
allowable activity in the WR pantry. If there are "rules and regulations that must be adhered lo," no
training or verbaVwritten direction has been provided to me. You are correct, I have cooked breakfaet
a few times in the WR pantry, and not one of your staff members has informed me that I was not
altowed to do so, even though many of them had ample opportunity to do so at any tirne.
(2) 'fhere is no sign on either the Wardroom Pantry door or the door to the sculle4y that indicates who is
. or is not allowed in those areas. There are, however, several other Supply sPaces that do have such
signs, and therefore, I do not enter those spaces, except in the course of my duties as Heat Shess
Program Manager.

No, the CS's antl FSA'I ditl not nildress you; they acldressed thcir chain of cantnwd. 'fhst itr turn, led to nty
initial cnmil.
You are con'ect, therc nre no srch signs. This beltsuior utas not exhibiteil-ft'om Noaembcr thru May .., didn't
think there u,ns il need for tlnse sigtrs, Adtlitionally,l stnted that if it u,ere orrcc hr a while, I coulcl understand.
I u,ill, htnt,et,u', (rlsurc signs arc Trostecl this ev,eniug'

I do not think that assuming one should know the "rules and regulations" works well. The entire Command
saw that manifest in the lac-k of FSA training regarding OPSEC that lead to the JAGMAN investigation
regarding mishandling of burn bags,
:.1 *il
!it '.1
Tltut tpttstt't tlue to a lack o.f FSA h'aining, but rathq a lack of trainittg for all hanils otboard. Additionally, ' &il
tt'
yers<>ttnel slrculd ttot be sen,t TAD to S2M i/ they haac uot conplcteit Coumnnd htdoc trainhrg, '. | ,'! -
::
Walking arcuncl stating that you can clo what you want, you can break the rules, if anyone yells at you, you'll iust :; i;
tell the CO, is rather urrprofessional and immafure, It sends the wrong message to our junior sailors and
supports/confirms any perceptiorr they have of what could be an unduly familiar relationship. Additionally, it
disrupLs gootl order and discipline and sets a bad example to our crew.

This above paragraph is pure hearsay and libel. You have absolutely no personal knowledge that such has '
occurred. I consider this defamation, discrimination and outright seeds of a hostile working environrnent
The final blow is that your first attack is made public to the people who write my fitness rePolt, placing my .'r rir
career as a Naval Officer in ieopardy. :l i't
i:,
lr' ':
Yau nre correct, I hnpe no pet'sonal futozulcdgc that such has ocanred; only wi/riresses that state thet it did ocan
I hauc tpitttcsscd, parsonally, other cortnnettts madc by yott wlrich nnke the aboae quite belieuable, I utill not
get into tletnils zurt those corrtntents as I do not utish to expend any ,norc thne or energy on this subject.
DcJinnatiott aud discrinitratioti ' Attack is nmde ltublic to thc people wlrc write ury fihrcss tcport." Please reacl
qour initial resportse to nty emnil. Ntt cortmrert.

I anr cu rrentlv in a very, very awkwarci position - understand that I have observed the "inappropriateness" of all
this for quite sonre tinre, buf have remained silent, convinced that it was all innocent, I can no longbr ignore noi,
clc'nv that thi,s is inappropriate or that it does not prornote a hostile working environnrenl J have inrplemented
nreasure.s to dnter the ridiculous salad making, enhy into the pantry, etc -.all to no avail. My efforts are futile. At
il
one proint, I could say that this was all innocent and due to naivet6, but when the Commodore w.$ onboard two
cla.\'"s ago - tlre salads were not made and your hair was within regs.
l, ..1
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Again, this above paragraph is a repeat affront to my chaiacter, and it is the first time EVER that yori have said
anything to me. That you waited so long to address an issue that has bothered you for sometime is not my

t2,!2i2009
 Page 3 of4

burden, it is yours. It is also factually incorrect. As I mentioned in my first response email, I did have a sal,ad
for lunch. Also, I possess an MWR chit for my hair that expires on 22 September. The chit always me to wear
my hair in a ponytail whenever I choose.
i J;
Agrtirt, I did uot utnnt to aeldress this at all Note, I stat'eil "saltttls," ttot "saled." .;.6 ,

Pleasc takc the tinre to read the following instructions, the Navy Policy on Equal Opportunity, OPNAVINST
535+.1F and the Fratc'rniz.ation Policy, OPNAVINST 5370.2C.

I have read these, thank you very much. I am not sure what entry into the pantry has to do with equal
opportunity or fraternization.. And preparing food for another person is, where I come from, considered
polite, not fraternizing or an affront to anyone else's equal opportunity. I have also been known to wipe 4 .l
down the tables in the wardroom after dinner, bus my own dishes (always) and iron my t-shirts. All these r1.
il
:

things do the same thing for me - prevent home sickness, as these are activities I do at home. Perhaps you lr

should ask me why I do what I do, and give me the opportunity to explain myself. If it continues to bother
you or if it violates some rule I am unaware of, that can be corrected.

Yott lttti,t reni lht, ittstructiatrs; tlrcrqfote, I hape nothing fin'tltct' to say ott this.
.i ,'
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Please stay out of the galley. You are not the Suppo/Fff), a CS, FSA, PMT, XO/CMC conducting messing and
be.rthing, or the CO. I could understand if you were going back there once in a while, but every meal, diirupting ,

the florv of food prroduction? - No. If you need something, ask the FSA's or the CS's for it.

I am happy to comply with your rules, now that I have had my initial education as to what those rules are.

As slated be.fore, this ltehnuior iltss rrot exhibited previously eoen dnrhtg our uttdcnt ay periods ilr lanuary,
Februtrv ntul ilf urch. {
'*

l
I am obliged to remind you that I am authorized to enter the galley. As the Heat Stress Program Manager, I iI' 'J.-
am allowed in the galley and any other place on this ship fhat is designated by the Industrial Hygiene S-un'e;r : ,{...1: ;
l;:.

to be an area at risk for heat stress.

Absolutelq.

This is subtnittecl for situational awareness. Trust me when I say, the entire crew is talking - all it takes is one
phorrc call ;rnd our Iives are in havoc. This is simply me, looking out for tlre good of the Cornmand. :' .,,t
.ti
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- -i: . :i
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I appreciate your concern for the Command. it

ir.
.:
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I pledge to never again enter the Wardroom Pantry, except under my duties as Heat Skess Program Manager. -': ii':
I pledge to have my hair within regs #ter my chit runs out, unless MWR sells more chits. ;-L
I pledge to continue making "ridiculous" salads because they are HEALTHY, but will ask a CS or an FSA for , i,i ,i.f:f
.r , ii
any ingredients I need if they are available. I statcd in nty enuil, "ridiculotrs salad nnking," not "ridicalous ilr -., i.: ;'
j .:
snlnd." '!'

I can make no pledge with respect to the defamatory/hearsay statements you put forth, sorry,

.A.gtrtt. rtrt irttr:u ! lo

'lt.fiurtt. Plcast do tto! takt: it thnt iLttlJ/,

I believe this addresses your concerns put forth in this letter, and I propose the following for you: !

fi-
Under no circumstances is Iibel/slander or hearsay allowed in writteny'verbal communicaHon. This zuns not
slandsflibel.
Put signs on the doors of the spaces you do not wish people to enter. TIrcy utill be posted this eoeuhtg,
Conduct haining on things you think people should know. No conmrcnt lrcre,

12t2i2009

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Page 4 of 4
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lf you have a question about my hair or any other regulation you think I am ignoring or anything about me
that concerns you, just ask, I am happy to explain.
lf you are aware of any other people who have issues with me, send them to me. Don't let gossip and bad
feelings stew. The best way to resolve any issue is through direcL honest and upfront comrnunication f senf
this email to stop the gossip and the bad feeliltgs. 'nTlhere is no poittt in talking about a nntter to people who
catntot tlo nnrlthing alnut it."

I am hoping we can resolve our concerns at the lowest level possible, as like you, I am looking out for the
good of the Command. If you would like to have a discussion with an impartial third party, we can certainly +!l .nt
involve the CMEO. :j!
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I will query you in writing in 2 weeks so that I can ascertain whether I have satisfied your concerns, and I wiII
provide you written feedback as to whether you have satisfied mine.
No need, Tlris is beilry blotutt out of proportiott

I look forward to continuing our productive, professional working relationship.

As do l. I lrope thst utc cltt tttote ou frotn this, I toould like to pnt all of this behinil mc. Thanks!

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From:
Sent:
[b\Ltz)] ,-t
Saturday, September 26,20091:00 AM
t
To: Stopyra. Christopher CDR
SubJect RE: RE UR CALL
it rit,i'
.i+

Signed By: christine.arriola@med.navy.mil t:!:1'

F,
'.;?"d1a
No, I lust wanted to let you know that my computer is still non functional. You send me email messages for many
things. and I was trying to tell you to send them on the SIPR side for now. But, at the moment, I am in the i.:t

Pharmacy. Eeewww. I can't remember the last time you called me "Doc". I don't like it.

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

26, zaos 58 AM
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Subject: RE UR CALL '' , ft,::*n
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Sorry I couldn't hear your call. ;1r til': I
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ls there something I can help with?

Commander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
pcTs 757443-8250

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to: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
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What's up with the over-achiever train pulling into station so early? Messing with our rnorning meditatlon.:.,:;....:.
l'mgoingtothepantryat0500tomakecoffee. CanyoujusttellthelGtobackoffifshestartsbitchingabor{ir?
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From: StoPYra, ChristoPher CDR

Sent: FridaY, October 30, 2009 2:56 AM

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',Good post work-out@Jtq said the dripping wet man with no shirt'

,,Time for a shower," he thought as he made a pool of water on the deck by his
desk. : ,. ,,,
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"but a field trip wOuld be fun," he mUsed. "Oh' Well,'l he smiled

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to: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

HeiLo. we're back. Thank you very much for ghe driver, he was very helpful to me in a
place where clothing choices are scarce.

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From:
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Tuesday, November 03, 2009 4:18 AM
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lo: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Subject: RE:
sisnedBy: Eblt1/D
l'll be right up. Side.

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

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Subject: RE:
2ooe 11 : 17 AM
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No, but if the doctor came to check on me it would be nice @
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Cornmander C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"
POTS: 757a43-8250

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Sent: Tuesday, Nof,ember 03, 2009 11:00 AM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Stubject:

Do you need recovery time from your spot check???

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Tlursday, Ndvember 05, 2009 7:58 AM
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To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Subject: RE: GOOD WORKOUT?
Sisned ay, t@-\-P))

Nolwasn'twickedsmaat,butlamnow........XOshouldhavehisshin-digonnight3. Wecan'tstayovernight,
but we can go out to dinner. Grves us maximum flexibility with the visit overall. And people won't go overboard
on the drinks knowing they have to work the next day. Saves him some money, which is good for a guy
supporting a family of 5. everyone wins.
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HOW smaat am I now???? That's definitely worth some suggestive advertising.
1.

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

o5' 2ooe 2:40 PM
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su bjel&-,. ne :'cofo woRKour?
That's because you're wicked-smart (pronounced smaat).
',i
Commander C.M. Stopyra ,:
Commanding Officer , ,i{r ,i,
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) IE:
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"Home of the Brave"
POTS 757-443-8250

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Sent: Thtrsoa"V, ltoverhOer 05, 2009 2:34 PM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: GOOD WORKOUT?

You know, I was just thinking..........with the amount that we email converse, I hope you get yourself a cell phone
with a qwerty keyboard and unlimited telting when you get home, I'm sure there are lots of 2 or 3 for one ,
*' ,"

specials so everyone at home wins. Good Christmas idea ? as is a new digital camera. Just call me mrs. ft.
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Claus......... ti

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

os, 2ooe 2 :32 PM
trl&l$(3$Stvember
Subledt: RE: GO@ WORKOUT?

OK. Set some expectations and answered some guestions.

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USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"

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Hi. Very good. Split session of weights and cardio. I'm look at the website you sent. I like the 9ui 9f the way
ptace, buf that will only be good for 1 night, as the other is occupied with the wetting down. l'm looking at Ci$
central b+bs for night 1, but I think l'm going to look at hotels next. The out of the way place seems like its ti..
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greatest assets will be (1) gethng away from the kids and (2) the drive.

Frcm: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Sent: _Thupday, November 05, 2009 2:19 PM

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How was the workout session?

I'm thinking of mile equivalents O

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From: WiL7lJ Lr
Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 3:28 AM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subiect: RE: LUNCH?
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This is a very cute email I
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Lunch anytime. However, if you're going to pick on me or nag me for anything, l'd prefer to eat alone. @ .1 ..t-

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From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

o8' 2ooe 11: 18 AM
trl@-tusr:T?'r L'i
Subiectr LUNCH?

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I want to coordinate so we're at the same big kids'table.

O "Ott € Like this

\Men do you want to go to lunch?

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From:
Sent:
Ulcf,Vlf
November24,2009
Tuesday, 12:47 AM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: Admin Reviews During TRANSLANT
sisned By: . Etb{.V)]

.....butterflies kisses.....dark chocoiate....red wine..,...

.......making lemonade... ....

Feelbetter... . ..

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Sent: Tuesday, November 24,10-09 6:45 AM
ro: Stopyra, ihristopner cDry Uh-['k][, , LrJG
Cc: Goldschmidt, Brian CDR; _Department Heads
Subject: RE: Admin Reviews During TMNSLANT 'i', r*'+i
b,,$
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is
Train-O: 4-''

This isn't a F-n rhetorical question.

When, prior to 26 NOV will you be ready to show rne?

CDR C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave" -;.:';;
E .!
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POTS 757-443.8250 .i.:t-4

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

SentlMonday.-November 23, 2009 11:05 AM YT
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Cc: Goldschmidt, Brian CDR; _Department Heads
Subject: FW: Admin Reviews During TMNSLANT

Let me know prior to 26 NOV when you will show me all below.
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To: _Department Heads; Goldschmidt, Brian CDR; Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Subject: Admin Reviews During TMNSLANT

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Stopyra, Christopher CDR

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 1 1:45 AM
ro: Vrot-rail .r
Subject: RE: 9 MILE tl6te-not hungry

Ithought you would like it. I do.

CDR C.M. Stopyra

Commanding Officer
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43)
"Home of the Brave"

POTS: 757-a43-8250

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Sent: Thursday, Nofember 26,20019 5:43 PM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: 9 MILE HOLE-not hungry

Love my blond hair... . ..

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l'm hungry. lf the food is any good, l'm eating twice. @ li .:

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From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR :;.

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26,zooe 5:41 PM ' '. it.,,'"";
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sublect: 9 MILE HOLE-:not hungry 'r rffi;iq {'! .- Jg

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Ok, I ran 9 miles. Now I'm not hungry. Thirsty, Yes. Hungry, no. . i
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Stopyra, Christopher CDR

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Sent: Monday, November 30,2009 6:18 AM
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Subject: RE:TOTMTY l9 'r::
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I'll be right down. €

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Sent: Monoay, Novfmber 30,2009 8:17 AM
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR
Subject: RE: TOTMTY

Not yet, but I have a tampon with your name on it. you can use it as a coffee stirrer O

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From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR . . .J-':!-
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Senfii"[4op/9y,J{cvember 30, 2009 7:15 AM

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Ch. Have you had a number of "Vagisil" customers this morning?

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Sent: Monday, Nov'ember 30, 2009 7:56 AM .l: . Ili
To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR 'li;trit
Subject: RE: TOTMTY tj.r'-.

Good morning to you tool I'm in main bds using SAMS.

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Sent:Jlo-nday" November 30, 2009 6:50 AM
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Subiect: TOTMTY"

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Good morning.

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Sent: Wednesday, December 02,2009 6:32 AM
To: StoPYra, ChristoPher CDR
SubJect: RE:
sisned By, 'y@lJfi4b , ,ni! ; ri:'

By what other means?

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From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR t.:
SenlliWeCpesdly, December 02, 2009 7:32 AM
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Not by e-mail.
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Scnt: ffinesday, D6ember 02, 2009 7:26 AM I :. i

To: Stopyra, Christopher CDR .t'..

Subject: RE:
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Can't top that

From: Stopyra, Christopher CDR

Sentij{erlngd4qDecember 02, 2009 7 225 AM
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Subject: RE:

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Commanding Officer
CDR Christopher Stopyra

Commander Christopher M. Stopyra is a native of

Howell, N.J. After graduating from Freehold Township
High School, he attended the United States Naval
Academy and was commissioned as an active duty naval
officer nMay 1992. .{ i:.
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Commander Stopyra's first assignment was as t9
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Auxiliaries Offrcer, then Main Propulsion Assistant
aboard USS TORTUGA (LSD 46), where he deployedto
the 5ft and 66 Fleet areas of operations. He then
reporred ro COMNAVSURFGRU and COMPHIBGRU
TWO in Little Creek, Va. as Officer in Charge of the
Engineering Readiness Assist Team (ERAT).
Commander Stopyra's first shore tour was as an
instructor at the Surface Warfare Officers School in Neurport, R.I. After completing
deparftnent head school, he reported to USS ASHLAND (LSD 48) as the Operations
Officer, deploying again to the 6ft Fleet in support of the CNO's theater engagement
plan. Following his tour on ASHLAND, he was assigned to COMPHIBRON EIGHT as
Operations (N3) and Plans (N5) Offrcer, deploying with the BATAAN ARG and 26th
MEU in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

1n2002, Commander Stopyra accepted orders for duty under instruction at the U.S. Naval
War College, Newporl R.I., where he completed Joint Professional Military Educatign
Phase I and received his Master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. ln.
his following tour, he served as the Executive Officer aboard USS CARTER HALL
(LSD 50). In September 2005, he reported for duty on the staffof the Chief of Naval
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Ope'rations Executive Panel, a Federal Advisory Comrniuee Act panel. While atached to Jl I*

the CNO's staff, Commander Stopyra completed an individual augment (LA) tour as.the
alternate commanding officer for the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afighanistaq,
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and was promoted to the rank of commander in May 2008.

Commander Stopyra took command of the USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) in May
2009, deploying once again to the 5s and 6m Fleet areas of operations with the BATAAII
ARG and 22"o MEIJ, supporting maritime security and counter-piracy operations, :

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy
Commendation Medal (four awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards)
which he tributes to the great Sailors and Marines he has served with.

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