{"id":22545,"date":"2021-09-14T19:03:06","date_gmt":"2021-09-14T19:03:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/09\/14\/heres-why-the-command-master-chief-of-the-us-coast-guard-academy-was-fired\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:16:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:16:18","slug":"heres-why-the-command-master-chief-of-the-us-coast-guard-academy-was-fired","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2021\/09\/14\/heres-why-the-command-master-chief-of-the-us-coast-guard-academy-was-fired\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s why the command master chief of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy was fired"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fired command master chief of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscga.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Coast Guard Academy<\/a> had a reputation for getting too close and \u201chuggy\u201d with female cadets and academy personnel, weirding out some women and raising eyebrows in academy circles, according to academy personnel and cadets interviewed as part of a service investigation obtained by Navy Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/news\/your-navy\/2021\/04\/28\/former-coast-guard-academy-command-master-chief-faces-allegations-of-inappropriate-conduct\/\" target=\"_blank\">Master Chief Brett VerHulst<\/a> was relieved and simultaneously resigned as the academy\u2019s senior enlisted leader in April, a move that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscg.mil\/Biographies\/Display\/Article\/1390862\/rear-admiral-william-g-kelly\/\" target=\"_blank\">Superintendent Rear Adm. William Kelly<\/a> made permanent a few months later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kelly opted not to pursue criminal charges against VerHulst, and he has since retired at his current paygrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo punitive action was taken,\u201d the investigation states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The probe into VerHulst began in April, following an allegation that he hugged an academy cadet and touched her face in his office a few months earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2021\/04\/28\/former-coast-guard-academy-command-master-chief-faces-allegations-of-inappropriate-conduct\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VerHulst.png.png?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Former Coast Guard Academy command master chief faces allegations of \u2018inappropriate conduct\u2019<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The academy&#039;s senior enlisted leader, Brett VerHulst, abruptly resigned Tuesday.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscg.mil\/Units\/Coast-Guard-Investigative-Service\/\" target=\"_blank\">Coast Guard Investigative Service<\/a> agents began digging, their efforts \u201crevealed several other alleged incidents of inappropriate physical contact involving (VerHulst) and USCGA Cadets, USCGA Enlisted personnel and CG Officers,\u201d the investigation states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investigation also suggests that VerHulst\u2019s conduct with women was an open secret to some on the New London, Connecticut, campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within the academy clinic, \u201cthere was an ongoing joke \u2026 about (VerHulst\u2019s) interactions with women,\u201d recalled a female chief, who told agents how she had received an unwanted hug and forehead kiss from VerHulst a few years earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen people saw (VerHulst) with female cadets, they said things like, \u2018there\u2019s another one,\u2019\u201d the chief told agents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In one instance, another chief reported \u201cconcerning behavior\u201d when VerHulst appeared drunk at an official function in April and disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDue to the previous observations and rumors about (VerHulst) paying more attention to female cadets, (the chief) was told that a round was completed in Chase Hall to make sure (VerHulst) was not walking through the cadet living areas,\u201d agents wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One person reported seeing VerHulst hug an unidentified female cadet at an academy graduation in October 2020, and that \u201cit seemed strange.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo much for social distancing,\u201d the member quipped to another attendee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some interviewed said that while they had been subjected to VerHulst\u2019s hugs, forehead kisses and other touching, they thought he was a good man and didn\u2019t want him to get into trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The female cadet at the center of the February incident that sparked the probe was upset about the encounter but didn\u2019t want a formal investigation launched, investigators reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She was worried about impacting VerHulst\u2019s retirement and about leaving the academy \u201cin a negative light,\u201d according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2021\/07\/23\/us-coast-guard-academy-permanently-relieves-former-command-master-chief-wont-say-why\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VerHulst.png.png?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">U.S. Coast Guard Academy permanently relieves former command master chief<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Master Chief Brett VerHulst abruptly resigned from the position in April.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nearly all names in the investigation copy provided to Navy Times are redacted<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VerHulst did not respond to Navy Times\u2019s requests for comment, but told investigators in April that it was \u201cdevastating\u201d to think that he had made anyone uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe said he was not aware of any problems or conflict anyone had with him,\u201d agents wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But VerHulst eventually acknowledged the skewed power dynamic at play when the academy\u2019s senior enlisted leader touched junior colleagues, and how \u201cit is likely that not all cadets would feel like they could say no,\u201d agents wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VerHulst initially told agents he had seen other senior leaders give cadets hugs as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen asked to provide an example of a time when he saw a member of the senior leadership team hug a cadet \u2026 (VerHulst) was unable to do so,\u201d agents wrote. \u201cHe ultimately admitted he had not seen any other member of the senior leadership team hug a cadet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also told agents he knew such behavior didn\u2019t align with Coast Guard policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe understood the perception of his physical contact was that it was inappropriate,\u201d agents wrote. \u201cHe said none of his physical contact was suggestive or sexual in nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investigation and internal emails obtained by Navy Times also suggest that academy leadership was sorry to see VerHulst go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One female Coast Guard member ,who recounted how VerHulst had once kissed her on the cheek, told agents of a conversation regarding VerHulst she had with a servicemember who worked at the on-campus residence of Superintendent Kelly and his wife, Angie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The servicemember relayed that \u201cAdmiral Kelly advised, \u2018everyone should be supportive of Master Chief\u2019\u201d and that \u201cthey genuinely believe he\u2019s a good guy,\u201d the investigation states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"951\" height=\"517\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga.png.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga.png.png 951w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga.png.png?resize=300,163 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga.png.png?resize=768,418 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 951px) 100vw, 951px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That official \u201crelayed that Angie Kelly was sad about the investigation and said she thought (VerHulst) was a good guy and that he was \u2018just more of a touchy-feel person,\u2019\u201d agents wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In an emailed response to Navy Times, Kelly did not respond to specific questions about those purported comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But through a spokesperson, the superintendent did say that, in February, he \u201cobserved VerHulst give a hug to a cadet and then reminded VerHulst of the importance of maintaining professional relationships with cadets at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Kelly \u201cinformally counseled\u201d VerHulst on the interaction, \u201cno violation of Coast Guard policy had occurred,\u201d according to the spokesperson, Cmdr. Krystyn Pecora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAfter this discussion, RADM Kelly did not observe any additional similar behavior from VerHulst,\u201d Pecora said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kelly decided to permanently relieve VerHulst in late May and emailed his plan to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscg.mil\/Biographies\/article\/1535136\/mcpocg-jason-m-vanderhaden\/\" target=\"_blank\">Master Chief of the Coast Guard Jason Vanderhaden<\/a>, records show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe chatted with him today,\u201d Kelly wrote to the service\u2019s top enlisted leader. \u201cHe\u2019s taking it very hard, but he appears to be ok. Surrounded by family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI suspected he would be hurt,\u201d Vanderhaden replied. \u201cHopefully he can reflect on both the good he achieved and perhaps areas of improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a July email to Vanderhaden, Kelly wrote that he had met with VerHulst and the master chief was \u201cin job search mode.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI plan to support him as much as I can going fwd (sic),\u201d Kelly wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a statement to Navy Times, Kelly said he \u201ccontinued to check on the VerHulst family to ascertain if any mental health resources or other such support was needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>\u201cOddly casual with her and other women\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The victim whose interaction with VerHulst sparked the investigation told agents that the incident occurred after she briefed academy leadership about a recent cadet suicide attempt in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She recalled that after the briefing, VerHulst said he would walk her out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cadet recalled Kelly asking VerHulst \u201cwhere he was going,\u201d according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In VerHulst\u2019s office, the command master chief gave her a challenge coin and a \u201cvery firm side hug,\u201d and she pulled away, according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He then placed his hand on the left side of her face and told her something along the lines of, \u201cif you ever need anything,\u201d agents wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She told agents that \u201cit may not have registered with (VerHulst) that she was uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The woman added that the encounter was not something that would have happened with male cadets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe felt strange, and the interaction was unprofessional,\u201d agents wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4176\" height=\"2784\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cg-academy-1.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cg-academy-1.jpg.jpg 4176w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cg-academy-1.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cg-academy-1.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cg-academy-1.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cg-academy-1.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cg-academy-1.jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4176px) 100vw, 4176px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">New Ensigns toss their cadet covers into air upon graduation from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., on May 23, 2018. (AP Photo\/Jessica Hill)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VerHulst then told her he had to go to a meeting, and she recalled waiting in his office while the command master chief exited because \u201cI didn\u2019t want to walk out with him,\u201d agents wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At one point, the cadet told a chief about the incident but requested that the chief not report it because \u201cCMC VerHulst is a good man,\u201d and she didn\u2019t want him to get in trouble, the chief told investigators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the chief\u2019s recounting, he told the woman that VerHulst\u2019s actions were not appropriate and should be reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since she didn\u2019t wish to report it, the chief offered the option \u201cthat he and the other Chiefs address the behavior with (VerHulst),\u201d the investigation states, and the woman stated she \u201cwas more comfortable with that happening rather than the matter being officially reported.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The chief told investigators that he gave the matter more thought and determined that the incident should be reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The victim was \u201creally upset\u201d that an official report was made and was concerned about leaving the academy \u201cin a negative light after making a report,\u201d the investigation states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Agents interviewed a Coast Guard chief who had been assigned to the academy for several years, and \u201cshe laughed\u201d when asked about VerHulst, according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She told agents she was a volunteer on the committee planning VerHulst\u2019s retirement ceremony and had \u201cno desire to \u2018ruin his career.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But she also described him as \u201chuggy,\u201d and \u201cmore huggy with females,\u201d investigators wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The woman said that VerHulst gave her \u201can unwanted hug\u201d shortly after she reported to the academy, and that it made her feel uncomfortable \u201cbut not uncomfortable enough to report it,\u201d according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pressed by agents, the woman said VerHulst had also kissed her on the forehead during the hug interaction back in 2018 or 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe said when he hugged and kissed her, she stepped away,\u201d agents wrote. \u201cShe said it was unclear if (VerHulst) was trying to be \u2018fatherly\u2019 or if it was something else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The chief added that she made sure to never be alone in a room with the command master chief and that he was \u201ctoo touchy for my comfort level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She noted that \u201chis conduct with women appears inappropriate, especially considering his position as the CMC,\u201d agents wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VerHulst said he remembered hugging but not kissing her, and \u201cwas surprised to hear someone reported their interaction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One woman whom VerHulst hugged during a dining event described the command master chief as a mentor, and told agents they were \u201cpretty close,\u201d according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She said they met for coffee once a month and discussed both Coast Guard and personal matters, and that he was \u201cwell-liked among the cadets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5827\" height=\"3885\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga-2.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga-2.jpg.jpg 5827w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga-2.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga-2.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga-2.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga-2.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cga-2.jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5827px) 100vw, 5827px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cadets listen during the commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., on May 19, 2021. (AP Photo\/Andrew Harnik)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked about the hug at the dinner, the cadet said the command master chief had hugged her in the past but that the hug at the event \u201cwas a little longer than normal,\u201d and she recalled thinking VerHulst \u201cmay have had \u2018a little to drink\u2019 that night because he was \u2018rowdy\u2019 and she thought he was excited all the cadets were there,\u201d the investigation states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cadet said she \u201ctried to back up but he was still holding on\u201d during the hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She noted that \u201cVerHulst did not touch or grab her anywhere that made her feel uncomfortable on that occasion or at any other time,\u201d the investigation states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She also recalled attending a \u201cFirstie Formal\u201d event the year before and that VerHulst hugged her and \u201ctouched her on her lower back\u201d while she was wearing a dress that exposed her back, according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This angered her fianc\u00e9e, who told her he was uncomfortable with how \u201cVerHulst touched her and looked at her \u2018up and down,\u2019\u201d the investigation states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VerHulst told agents he never looked at the woman in a sexual manner, \u201cand if he looked at her that night, it would have been because the cadets were all dressed up in civilian formalwear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another female cadet recalled how VerHulst rubbed her back \u201cwithout permission in a circular motion\u201d during an event at the superintendent\u2019s residence in April, leaving her \u201cvery uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe regrets not saying something sooner and described a feeling of remorse by not saying something directly to (VerHulst) during the incident,\u201d agents wrote. \u201c(The cadet) clarified this statement by saying she is supposed to be a role model for the cadets, and she shouldn\u2019t have tolerated the unwanted touching in case a cadet observed it and then thought that it was ok.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The woman added that \u201cVerHulst crossed the professional boundaries and that he was extra friendly and oddly casual with her and other women.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VerHulst told agents he didn\u2019t remember touching the woman and \u201cadamantly denied rubbing her back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One woman who told agents she frequently hugged VerHulst sang his praises as a \u201cgreat mentor,\u201d but recalled talking to him after he hugged and kissed her on the top of the head during an academy event in front of other cadets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe stated she was comfortable with that physical contact with him, but she did not want him to get into trouble,\u201d agents wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A member of the Coast Guard\u2019s Leadership Development Center told investigators that he warned VerHulst in October that \u201cthere was a perception that he was behaving inappropriately toward female Coast Guard members,\u201d according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cVerHulst appeared to be surprised, and his main concern was about who knew about the perception, and not why the perception existed,\u201d agents wrote in their summary of the interview. \u201cVerHulst was specifically worried about if (academy superintendent) Rear Adm. William Kelly \u2026 knew about this issue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The command master chief \u201cjumped on the buzzwords about diversity and inclusion to defend his behavior toward women,\u201d the man recalled, adding that he told VerHulst that \u201chis mentoring sessions with female petty officers and cadets were too much, and he should \u2018back off\u2019 from always being with only women.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The man told investigators he was disappointed that VerHulst didn\u2019t \u201cdo the right thing\u201d following their talk, and that he believed the behavior \u201cwas clearly a choice as opposed to a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a June 10 email to Vice Adm. Paul Thomas and Rear Adm. Joanna Nunan, Kelly wrote that they would be holding bystander intervention training for the front office and division staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe all own a piece of this,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thomas was serving as deputy commandant for personnel readiness at the time, according to his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/paul-thomas-b2561613\/\" target=\"_blank\">LinkedIn<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is a tough one,\u201d Thomas replied. \u201cSubtle signs that are clear in retrospect but are really only apparent when you add up many little things.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Coast Guard Investigative Service agents discovered that U.S. Coast Guard Academy Command Master Chief Brett VerHulst had a history of inappropriate physical contact with female cadets, enlisted personnel and 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