Capt. Gilbert Clark Jr. took over as the Commandant of Midshipmen in June. He was relieved for "a loss of confidence in his ability to lead."

In the third major leadership change in less than six months at the U.S. Naval Academy, the senior officer who directly oversees the school’s 4,400 midshipmen was relieved of his position Monday, less than six months into his tour on the Annapolis, Maryland campus.

Capt. Gilbert Clark Jr. was removed as the Naval Academy Commandant by the school’s Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, on Monday. Capt. Austin Jackson, a Navy SEAL and former troop commander at the secretive SEAL Team 6, was named the interim Commandant. He had been serving as the Deputy Commandant.

Clark graduated from the school in 1998, where he played on the water polo team.

Clark’s departure is the third turnover among senior officers at the school in six months. Both Clark and Borgschulte are in their first semester at the school. Clark took over in June after Captain Walter H. Allman, also a SEAL, left the position after about a year, following a promotion.

Staff Writer

Armed Forces Press is the Military's premier investigative newspaper. Long suffering from an absence of patriotic media, the United States Military is in dire need of an organization which will confront and highlight bad policies. The Military is in deep need of leadership. Armed Forces Press is committed to highlighting the tremendous courage, determination, tenacity and fortitude that our servicemen exemplify on a daily basis.