Rear Adm. David Baucom was fired from his top Navy supply-officer position after authorities deemed his behavior at a recent defense contracting conference – during which he walked the hotel hallways in drunken nakedness, asking for a towel – inappropriate for a military man of his position.
Navy Times reported Baucom was serving as the director of strategy, policy, capabilities and logistics at U.S. Transportation Command when he engaged in the inappropriate behavior at a conference in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, in April.
Investigators specified Baucom, 56, was so intoxicated at the dinner, which was attended by about 70 others, that he had to be helped back to his room by an employee of the hotel. He then was seen wandering the hallways naked, asking for a towel so he could cover himself, Fox News reported.
Baucom said his behavior was due to his mixing of prescription drugs for a heart problem with alcohol. He also said to a colleague in an email that he didn't bring pajamas to the conference because he was near the weight limits for his luggage and he didn't "want to pay the extra $25 for a second bag," he said, Fox News reported.
He also said in a statement reported by Fox News: "I have served the Navy for more than 34 years and am proud of our institution. I deeply regret my actions caused discredit to the Navy I love."
An inspector general's report said Baucom's "level of intoxication and his public nudity are of such a nature that they dishonored or disgraced him personally and seriously compromised his standing as an officer," Fox News said.