{"id":18091,"date":"2021-12-11T15:52:33","date_gmt":"2021-12-11T15:52:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/12\/11\/uss-winston-churchill-xo-ousted\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:05:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:05:39","slug":"uss-winston-churchill-xo-ousted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2021\/12\/11\/uss-winston-churchill-xo-ousted\/","title":{"rendered":"USS Winston Churchill XO ousted"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The executive officer of the destroyer Winston Churchill was relieved Friday due to a \u201closs of confidence\u201d in his ability to lead and failure to follow a \u201clawful order,\u201d according to Naval Surface Force Atlantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multiple media reports claim that Cmdr. Lucian Kins was relieved for failing to receive the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine<\/a> and comply with COVID-19 testing. According to the Associated Press, Kins is the first officer in the Navy ousted for failing to comply with that policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lt. Cmdr. Jason Fischer, a spokesman for Naval Surface Force Atlantic, said he could not speak to Kins\u2019 vaccination and testing status due to privacy concerns. Likewise, when asked if Kins had applied for a religious exemption, Fischer said that \u201cwe don\u2019t comment on administrative actions taken by service members.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn December 10, 2021, Commander, Naval Surface Squadron 14, Capt. Ken Anderson, relieved Cmdr. Lucian Kins as executive officer of USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) due to loss of confidence in Kins\u2019 ability to perform his duties,\u201d Fischer said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLt. Cmdr. Han Yi, the ship\u2019s plans and tactics officer, is temporarily assigned as executive officer until a permanent relief is identified,\u201d Fischer said. \u201cKins will be reassigned to the staff of Naval Surface Squadron 14.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t