Commander of Navy reserve unit relieved of duty

Navy says change made due to loss of confidence to command

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The commander of a mobile construction battalion based in Jacksonville was relieved of his command due to mismanagement and major program deficiencies, according to the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.

The Navy announced that Capt. Roger Motzko, Commodore, 3rd Naval Construction Regiment, relieved Capt. Sean McDonell on Tuesday due to his loss of confidence in McDonell's ability to command Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14.

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NMCB 14 is a Seabee reserve unit, based in Jacksonville, is capable of providing a wide range of military construction, including roads, bridges, bunkers, airfields and logistics bases, and worldwide humanitarian efforts.

Cmdr. Todd Smith, operations officer of the 3rd NCR, will be interim commanding officer until Cmdr. Mark Williams takes command next summer. As a prior battalion commanding officer, Smith is familiar with the operations of an NMCB as well as the needs of the command and its sailors.