Correct; the fact that my name was on the presentation that went before Congress, vice my CO's, indicated to them that I went AROUND my CO.
In reality, this is certainly possible. It just would have been a career killer. My CO was the one who sent that presentation up with my name front and center. He had to defuse the situation.
Also, and this is absolutely relevant, I was not a Commissioned Officer. I retired as a Chief Petty Officer, though I had a degree (Nuclear Engineering) and multiple "graduate level" certifications (PMP, LSSBB, CISSP, etc., etc.). There is only so far competence and capability can take you without rank in the US military. I chose to exit rather than move over and promote, which was the right decision for me.
I apologize for lacking the context in my previous comments; I often forget people don't understand the intricacies of the arcane ways of the military unless they subjected themselves to it.
