Navy ousts head of Great Lakes boot camp

The head of the Navy’s boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes has been relieved of his command after his superiors lost confidence in his ability to handle the job, officials said.

Capt. Jeffry Sandin, who had led Recruit Training Command Great Lakes for just over a year, was removed from his post Saturday, Navy spokesman Cmdr. Brian Wierzbicki said. He did not offer a specific reason for the move.

“We like to characterize it as a loss of confidence,” Wierzbicki said. “There were certainly factors that led up to that, but it was (Rear Adm. Jennifer Couture’s) decision that she lost confidence in his ability to command.”

The new leader is Capt. Kertreck Brooks, Wierzbicki said. Sandin has been transferred to the staff of the Naval Service Training Command, which oversees boot camp and other programs at Great Lakes.