"Loss of Confidence" in the Navy

What is going on in the United States Navy? There seems to be an epidemic of commanding officers being relieved for "loss of confidence in ... ability to command."

A quick search of the Internet revealed these incidents:

September 2002 CO, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) relieved for loss of confidence. This man was a Captain

February 2003 CO, Kitty Hawk Battle Group, relieved for loss of confidence because of an inappropriate relationship with a female officer. This man, a Rear Admiral, also received a punitive letter of reprimand.

April 2004 CO, USS Firebolt (PC 10), relieved for loss of confidence after his ship collided with a navigational aid off the coast of Iraq.

February 2005 CO, USS San Francisco (SSN 711) relieved for loss of confidence and issued a letter of reprimand after his submerged submarine collided with a sea mount.

May 2005 CO, USS Patriot (MCM 7), a mine countermeasures ship relieved for loss of confidence after running aground in the Republic of Korea. He also received a punitive letter of reprimand.

January 2006 CO, USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) relieved for loss of confidence.

June 2006 CO, USS Columbus (SSN 762) relieved for loss of confidence after allegations of harassment disclosed.

November 2006 Commander, Submarine Squadron 17 relieved for loss of confidence in his ability to command. The charges against this Captain, who was addressed as Commodore, have not been specified.

January 2007 CO, USS Minneapolis - St. Paul (SSN 708), relieved for loss of confidence after 2 sailors died after they were washed overboard.

April 2007 CO, Electronic Attack Squadron 140, relieved for loss of confidence only 9 days after assuming command.

May 2007 CO, USS Higgins (DDG 76), relieved for loss of confidence while en route to the Persian Gulf.

May 2007 CO, USS Helena (SSN 725), relieved for loss of confidence.

May 2007 CO, USS Constitution, relieved for loss of confidence.

There may be more, who knows?

Some of these have been removed for obvious reasons, others for undisclosed causes. Primary causes for removal from command are unsafe actions, misuse of funds, sexual indiscretion, and other inappropriate conduct. I suspect that nowadays some are removed for not being PC. The number of captains being relieved for loss of confidence is alarming. They did not get their by mischance. These are men that have years of schooling and experience. They have been to PCO (Prospective Commanding Officer) School or its equivalent. Those of senior rank have attended the Naval War College. If the caliber of our officers is so degraded that our best are bad, what does that say for the junior ranks? Something is amiss. The Navy has lost its moorings in more ways than one.