Fired Navy SEAL Captain Was Arrested for Drunk Driving Months Before His Relief

The Navy SEAL captain who was fired Wednesday from his command of Navy Special Warfare Group Eight had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in January, according to court records.

The Virginia Beach court records show that Capt. Richard Zaszewski was arrested Jan. 19, 2024, for driving while intoxicated, or DWI, with a blood alcohol content between 0.15% and 0.2%. The legal limit is 0.08%.

Naval Special Warfare Command, which oversees Navy SEAL teams, announced that Zaszewski was relieved of command Wednesday for a "loss of confidence in his ability to command," making him at least the second Navy commander to be relieved over drinking and driving this year.

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A Navy official wouldn't comment on why the relief took place more than two months after the arrest but did confirm that the two were related.

Navy Times was the first publication to report the charge.

According to the court records, the charge is considered a misdemeanor, and this is Zaszewski's first DWI. He was released on his own recognizance following the arrest.

Military.com reached out to Robert Morecock, Zaszewski's attorney, but did not immediately hear back.

Court records show that Zaszewski's next court hearing is set for May 15, and it does not appear that he has entered a plea in the case.

Typically, firings over arrests move much faster, taking days, not months.

On Jan. 15, the Navy also relieved the commanding officer of the USS Georgia sub's blue crew -- Capt. Geoffry Patterson -- after he was arrested in the early hours of Jan. 9 on charges including driving under the influence and improper lane change.

According to the Camden County Sheriff's Office, where Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is located, Patterson was released on bond after a payment of more than $1,800.

Zaszewski spent nearly 20 years assigned to "East Coast-based Special Warfare Units" -- a broad term that Naval Special Warfare Command uses to avoid identifying which specific teams SEALs are assigned to -- according to service records released by the Navy.

He has previously been awarded the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars with one "V" device for valor, a Combat Action Ribbon, and campaign medals for Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve, among other awards, according to his service record. The Silver Star Medal is the third-highest award a service member can be awarded for displaying heroic acts of valor in combat situations.

Zaszewski is at least the fifth firing of a Navy commanding officer in 2024. Navy officials have previously said the service relieved 15 commanding officers in 2023.

Deputy commodore Capt. Stig Sanness assumed the duties of commodore for NSWG-8, Lt. Cmdr. Chelsea Irish, a spokesperson for Navy Special Warfare Command, told Military.com on Wednesday.

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