The Rot at the Top: Admiral Burke and the Navy’s Ethical Crisis
Story by Ken Segelhorst • 18h
Retired Admiral Robert P. Burke’s conviction on federal bribery charges in May 2025 was less a shock than a grim confirmation of the cultural rot within the U.S. Navy. Burke, once the Navy’s second-highest ranking officer, was found guilty by a Washington, D.C. jury of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, acts affecting a personal financial interest, and concealing material facts.
The 62-year-old former submariner had climbed the ranks to some of the service’s loftiest positions. He served as the 58th Chief of Naval Personnel from 2016 to 2019, overseeing the service’s manpower and training. In 2019, he became the 40th Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the Navy’s No. 2 officer, a role he held until mid-2020. From there, Burke assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and NATO’s Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy in July 2020, leading all naval operations across Europe and Africa. He retired in 2022 after decades in uniform. By all accounts, Burke had been a steward of the profession – a flag officer entrusted with immense responsibility. Yet even as he held one of the Navy’s most critical commands, Burke was orchestrating the bribery scheme that would ultimately lead to his conviction. His fall from grace was a foreseeable outcome of a Navy culture long plagued by ethical compromise and evasion of accountability.
The Bribery Scheme: Contracts for a Future Payday
While commanding Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Burke used his position to enrich himself at the Navy’s – and ultimately the American taxpayer’s – expense. According to court evidence, in July 2021, Burke met with Charlie Kim and Meghan Messenger, co-CEOs of the New York-based tech firm Next Jump, and struck an illicit deal. Burke agreed to steer Navy contracts to the company in exchange for a lucrative post-retirement job at that firm.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-rot-at-the-top-admiral-burke-and-the-navy-s-ethical-crisis/ar-AA1FJ4f1?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=7bb793f3889f4edaa7d056c00f01becc&ei=10
