A Navy Commanding Officer Has Been Relieved for 'Loss of Confidence' Less than Year Into Role

Published Aug 3, 2026, 10:48 AM EDT

Cmdr. Joseph Sammur spent less than a year in his position and has been reassigned.

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Published Aug 3, 2026, 10:48 AM EDT

A Navy officer has been relieved of his duties as the commanding officer of a ballistic missile submarine after what the service described as a "loss of confidence in his ability to command." Joseph Sammur had been the commanding officer of USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) (Blue Crew), an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, since Aug. 14, 2025, when he succeeded Cmdr. James Kepper IV. On July 30, the Navy removed him from the post without going into detail as to why. Sammer has been temporarily reassigned to Submarine Group 1. "Loss of confidence" can cover a range of issues, including personal misconduct or poor job performance. The Navy often declines to publicly disclose additional information while reviews or investigations are ongoing. Submarine Squadron 20 Deputy for Training, Cmdr. Luke Kelvington, has temporarily assumed command of West Virginia (B), the Navy said. They added that the submarine is currently in port and is in a maintenance repair period. The change in personnel would not affect its operations, they added. Military.com reached out to the Navy for comment.