U.S. Navy Capt. Owen Honors' career likely is over after revelations he oversaw inappropriate videos that aired on the aircraft carrier Enterprise, experts say.
Some criticized Honors for the videos that include sexual jokes, gay slurs, subordinates in drag and sailors simulating masturbation but others have rallied to his defense, The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk reported Tuesday.
News about his oversight of the videos while second in command of the aircraft carrier Enterprise broke Saturday. The videos were aired over the carrier's closed-circuit television system in 2006 and 2007.
U.S. Fleet Forces Command initiated an investigation into the videos. Several media outlets reported Monday that Honors could be relieved of command soon but the Navy said no official decision had been made.
Military experts told The Virginian-Pilot it's unlikely Honors will stay, noting that officers have been removed for far less in the past.
"This is very serious," said Eugene Fidell, a Yale University law professor and president of the National Institute of Military Justice. "After watching the videos, I don't see how he could stay. He runs a warship, not a fraternity house."
A Facebook page set up for the captain's supporters topped 1,500 members as of Monday evening, the Pilot said. Users argue that the videos were harmless and Honors was right to use humor to boost morale.
The Navy's quick move to condemn the videos and begin an investigation drew praise from a prominent gay rights group, The Washington Post reported.
"What we see here is, unfortunately, a 49-year-old Navy captain acting like a 19-year-old fraternity boy," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which has advocated for gay military members. "There is no place for that type of frat-house behavior."