Navy Boot Camp Commander Removed Due To 'Loss Of Confidence'

GREAT LAKES, IL — The chief of the U.S. Navy's boot camp was fired last week after senior commanders lost confidence in his ability to command.

Capt. Jeffry Sandin was relieved of command of Recruit Training Command at Naval Station Great Lakes by Rear Adr. Jennifer Couture on Saturday, according to a brief statement from the Navy.

Sandin was reassigned to Naval Service Training Command headquarters, while Naval Service Training Command Chief of State Capt. Kertreck Brooks has taken over responsibility of Recruit Training Command, the Navy's only boot camp.

"Capt. Brooks will remain in command until a replacement is identified," Naval Education and Training Command spokesperson Cmdr. Brian Wierzbicki told Patch.

Sandin assumed command of Recruit Training Command in May 2021, taking over from Capt. Erik Thors, who spent nearly three years in the role. He is a native of Bloomville, New York, who enlisted in the Navy in 1986. He was commissioned in 1997, earned a bachelor's degree in 2003 and a master's degree in 2016, according to a statement announcing his appointment.

Sandin will not face any additional discipline and his removal from command was not the result of an any particular investigation, Wierzbicki told Navy Times.

In addition to Sandin, the Navy has dismissed at least three other commanding officers in the past week "due to a loss of confidence" in their abilities to effectively command.