What “Loss of Confidence” Really Means at the Naval Academy

In this episode of The Rule of Law Brief, I break down the sudden firing of Capt. Gilbert Clark, the Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. The official reason—“loss of confidence”—is the Navy’s most opaque euphemism, a phrase that conceals far more than it reveals.

I explain what that term actually means inside the fleet, and why it tells us nothing about what really happened. I talk openly about my own experience being “relieved for loss of confidence” after refusing an illegal order, and why the phrase has become a container for everything from routine misconduct to political retribution.

I also look at the broader concern: the increasing erosion of the firewall between military professionalism and partisan interference. The Hatch Act may be on the books, but its deterrent effect has collapsed. When senior officers are removed abruptly with no explanation, the question of political motive is unavoidable.

Finally, I highlight the fleet-up of Capt. Austin Jackson—an excellent SEAL officer and a contemporary of mine—and why the Brigade is in capable hands even as the circumstances behind Clark’s removal remain opaque.

If you are in Annapolis, connected to the Brigade, or aware of even scuttlebutt, drop it in the comments or send a message. Transparency matters, especially now.

Get sharp, unvarnished national-security analysis and commentary—grounded in law, experience, and plain truth. Subscribe to stay ahead of the curve.

Get full access to The Rule of Law Brief at natecharles.substack.com/subscribe