Benjamin F. Strickland II
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benjamin F. Strickland II, is a retired
U.S. Coast Guard Commander (CDR) and whistleblower advocate who alleged illegal retaliation from his
Coast Guard Pacific Area
chain-of-command in violation of the Military Whistleblower Protection
Act in response to his lawfully protected communications.
[1]
On May 23, 2013 CDR Strickland was serving as Acting Commanding Officer onboard
USCGC Munro (WHEC-724) homeported in
Kodiak, Alaska
when he made an unrestricted reported regarding a sexual assault
alleged to have been committed upon a MUNRO crewmember. CDR Strickland
reported the sexual assault allegations immediately to his immediate
superior in Command, then VADM
Paul Zukunft and requested an investigation by the
Coast Guard Investigative Service
(CGIS), participated as a witness in the investigations which stemmed
from his report, and later expressed his belief of waste, abuse of
authority and gross mismanagement by CGIS and senior Coast Guard
management officials. After his whistleblowing activity and complaint
that CGIS was abusing it's authority and not properly investigating the
sexual assault, CDR Strickland became the target of the very
investigations which stemmed from his report and was subsequently
subjected to multiple acts of retaliation. CDR Strickland was removed
from his primary duties, received a derogatory Officer Evaluation Report
(OER), and placed in a billet not commensurate with his paygrade as a
senior officer.
[2] CDR Strickland subsequently filed a whistleblower retaliation complaint with the
Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (OIG) which was accepted for investigation.
[3]
Early life and education
CDR Strickland was born in 1972 and is a native of
Seattle, Washington. He graduated from
Maine Maritime Academy in 1995 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nautical Science. He attended the
U.S. Naval War College in 2009 graduating with a Masters of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
[4]He is a graduate of the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS) and is a qualified Joint Operational Planner.
[5]
Career
U.S. Navy
Having enlisted in the
United States Navy Reserve in 1992, upon graduation from
Maine Maritime Academy
in 1995 CDR Strickland was honorably discharged to accept a commission
as an Ensign and went on to serve three years active duty in the regular
Navy. His initial assignment at sea was in
USS Hopper (DDG-70)
at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he completed initial warfare
qualifications while serving as Electronic Warfare Officer, and later
First Lieutenant.
U.S. Coast Guard
In 1998, CDR Strickland transferred to the Coast Guard where he was
assigned to Marine Safety Office Puget Sound in Seattle, Washington.
There he qualified as a Senior Marine Inspector, enforcing US and
International maritime regulations and safety standards for foreign and
domestic vessels. He also served as the unit Special Interest Vessel
(SIV) Officer, supervising the tracking and reporting of high-interest
shipping for national intelligence agencies. In 2000 he returned to sea
duty as Weapons Officer in
USCGC Sherman (WHEC-720)
at Alameda, California, completing patrols in the Bering Sea and
Eastern Pacific. SHERMAN also deployed to the Arabian Gulf, serving as
Surface Action Group (SAG) Commander for Middle East Force 01-1 and
Maritime Interdiction Operations Coordinator (XJ) for the HARRY S.
TRUMAN Battlegroup. In theatre as a Tactical Action Officer (TAO), CDR
Strickland coordinated maritime enforcement of UN sanctions against Iraq
and air surveillance operations in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.
Upon OUTCHOP from FIFTH Fleet, SHERMAN transited home to Alameda via
circumnavigation of the world.
In 2002, CDR Strickland was assigned as Coast Guard Liaison Officer
at Afloat Training Group Pacific Northwest in Everett, Washington. There
he qualified as an Afloat Training Specialist, managing the training,
assessment and certification for three different classes of cutters as
the Pacific Area Commander’s direct representative. From 2004 to 2006,
he served as Operations Officer in
USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726)
at Seattle, Washington, coordinating Homeland Security, Search and
Rescue, Fisheries and Counter-Drug missions throughout the Pacific in
support of Operations NOBLE EAGLE, ARCTIC SAFEGUARD, BERING SHIELD and
CAPER FOCUS. CDR Strickland commanded
USCGC Roanoke Island (WPB-1346) (WPB-1346) at Homer, Alaska from 2006 to 2008
[6]
before attending the College of Command and Staff and Maritime Advanced
Warfighting School at Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. CDR
Strickland then performed a three month operational warfare assignment
comprising contingency, adaptive and collaborative planning in the
development of a formal Concept Plan (CONPLAN) for U.S. Naval Forces
Central Command and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
From 2009 to 2011, he was assigned as a Strategic Planner in the
Office of Defense Operations (CG-532) at Coast Guard Headquarters in
Washington, DC where he executed responsibility for Coast Guard input
into National Defense strategy documents, plans and policy, coordination
of service chief-level staff talks, resourcing of Joint Staff global
force management requests, and also served as the Desk Officer for all
U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command issues. CDR Strickland
returned to sea as Operations Officer in
USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752) at Alameda, California from July 2011 to June 2012 before assuming duties as Executive Officer in
USCGC Munro (WHEC-724)) in July 2012.
[7]
In 2014 he was reassigned to Coast Guard Headquarters as the Support
Division Chief in the Office of Counterterrorism and Defense Operations
(CG-ODO-3). He retired from active duty in 2015.
[8]
U.S. Maritime Administration
In July 2015, CDR Strickland accepted a position at the
Maritime Administration as a National Security Specialist.
Awards and decorations
References
http://https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Whistleblower_Protection_Act Military Whistleblower Protection Act]
Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Naval War College alumni Category:People from Seattle, Washington
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Myers, Meghann. http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/02/27/coast-guard-sexual-assault-cgis-investigation-firing/23166307/ "Sacked cutter XO says he was target of endless inquest"], Navy Times, Springfield VA, 27 February 2015. Retrieved on 13 July 2015.
DHS OIG Complaint #C1405822
"USNWC-19-June-2009-Graduaiton" (PDF). U.S. Naval War College. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
"MAWS-19-June-2009". U.S. Naval War College. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
"Roanoke Island's command changes". Homer News. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
"Logisticians Support Joint International Treaty Enforcement". United States Navy. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
