By Anthony Burgos, Sigonella Bureau

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Sicily — The punishment handed down to the former commanding officer of USS Greeneville met with mixed reactions from sailors stationed in Europe.

At the Navy base in Naples, Italy, some sailors thought the outcome of Waddle’s disciplinary hearing, called an "Admiral’s Mast," fit the circumstance.

"I think it was right on the money and they did the right thing," said Navy Lt. Scott Norton, the base air operations officer. "There was no criminal intent involved on his [Waddle’s] part. I think he’s very sincere and remorseful about what happened."

Sailors at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, said the news of Waddle’s discharge was exactly what they had expected. "I am not surprised at all," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Sandra Santiago assigned to Sigonella’s aviation support division. "He’s been in the Navy a long time and served honorably."

"He got exactly what he deserved," said Petty Officer 1st class John Reynolds, a sailor assigned to the security manager’s office at the Sicily base. "In my opinion he wasn’t directly at fault."

Norton added that he was impressed that Waddle planned to go to Japan to meet with families of those killed in the Feb. 9 accident.

"That says a lot about his character," Norton said. "I think it’s a great gesture. He doesn’t have to do that."

But some thought the punishment wasn’t enough.

"I was shocked, there probably should have been more done," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Derrick Mitchell, assigned to Naples’ Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station. "It was a careless and reckless accident that killed nine people. Let me do something like that and I’m going to get hammered. I don’t think it’s really fair."

Submarine crewmen from the USS Philadelphia, currently at Naval Station Rota, Spain, said Waddle received enough punishment.

"I think it’s fair," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin Mathis. The sonar technician said no further action should be taken against the Greeneville crew.

"I think a lot of mistakes were made," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Reyst, another sonar technician on the Philadelphia.

Mathis said other sub crews have felt the sting from the accident.

"I just know we got put through the ringer, training-wise," he said. "We get a lot more evaluations. They became a lot harder. Just for that one incident. It’s definitely a lesson learned."