Capt. Gilbert Clark Jr. has been relieved of his position as commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen less than six months after the alumnus took the position in June.
According to a statement sent to The Baltimore Sun, Clark was relieved of duty as the 91st Commandant of Midshipmen on Monday because of “a loss of confidence in his ability” to serve in the role, the academy said.
“Leadership positions require senior leaders to maintain the highest standards of responsibility as they play a key role in shaping good order and discipline,” Ashley Hockycko, public affairs officer for the Naval Academy, said. “When an immediate superior loses confidence in an officer’s ability to effectively lead in a position of authority, it is their obligation to relieve the subordinate leader of their duties.”
Capt. Austin Jackson, the deputy commandant, will be the interim commandant, the academy said.. The commandant of midshipmen, a role that is similar to a dean of students, is responsible for the daily training, conduct and development of roughly 4,400 Naval Academy midshipmen.
Clark, a 1998 Naval Academy graduate, accepted the Commandant of Midshipmen position in June. He was preceded by Capt. Walter H. Allman III, the first Navy Seal to serve in the position, after he was promoted to rear admiral.
Before serving as Commandant of Midshipmen, Clark was the first commander of the Naval Surface Group Southwest San Diego. He also served as executive and commanding officer of the USS The Sullivans.
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