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Hawaii-based Navy commander fired for fraternization allegations

U.S. NAVY

Commander Jeff Tamulevich

The Navy has confirmed that the commanding officer of the Hawaii-based guided-missile destroyer the Hopper has been relieved of his responsibilities due to allegations of fraternization with a junior sailor.

Naval Surface Force Pacific spokesperson Cmdr. David Russell confirmed to multiple news agencies, including the San Diego Union Tribune and the Navy Times, that Cmdr. Jeffrey Tamulevich was fired by Rear Adm. Brian Ford, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, on Monday and that an investigation is being conducted into his alleged relationship with the sailor.

Capt. Joseph Ring, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 31, has been tapped to serve as temporary commanding officer of the Hopper.

Tamulevich, 42, assumed command of the Hopper in July 2017.

Tamulevich’s dismissal is the latest in a string of recent Navy command firings that has seen the removal of Cmdr. Tammy Royal as commander of the dock landing ship Harpers Ferry; Capt. Heedong Choi as head of the Navy ROTC program at State University of New York’s Maritime College; and Master Chief Jeremy Embree as commander master chief of Naval Air Facility El Centro.

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