By Steve Liewer, Stars and Stripes

Besides Cmdr. Scott Waddle, five other sailors received disciplinary actions that might stymie their Naval careers.

Waddle’s once-promising career has come to a high-profile halt after the USS Greeneville rammed a Japanese fishing boat Ehime Maru Feb. 9, killing nine crewmembers and high school students.

But the sailors who committed the mistakes for which Waddle sacrificed his career are not getting off scot-free, either.

Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Thomas Fargo forwarded to the Pacific Submarine Fleet commander the court of inquiry’s recommendation that four other sailors receive letters of "admonishment," which is less severe than a reprimand and does not automatically end a career:

• Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer, executive officer, for lack of administrative oversight and execution of the enlisted watchbill.

• Master Chief Petty Officer Douglas Coffman, the submarine’s top enlisted sailor, for the same reasons.

• Petty Officer 1st Class Edward McGiboney, sonar supervisor, for permitting an unqualified sonar operator on watch.

• Capt. Robert Brandhuber, Pacific Submarine Fleet’s chief of staff, who was escorting the 16 civilian passengers observing on the ship’s bridge, for failing to question Waddle’s decision to surface quickly and for failing to ensure the chain of command.

Brandhuber received his admonishment from Rear Adm. Albert Konetzni, said Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Flex Plexico. Konetzni is still considering the other recommendations.

Fargo punished the Greeneville’s officer of the deck, Lt. j.g. Michael Coen at admiral’s mast the same day as Waddle. Coen was "counseled" about safe navigation of his ship and proper supervision of watch personnel, Fargo said.

Counseling is among the least severe forms of administrative punishment.

Japan-based sailors said Wednesday they thought the proposed punishments were about right.

"It’s expected to see the higher-ups get more severe punishment," said Chief Petty Officer James Carter, of the Afloat Training Group in Yokosuka, Japan. "This was a good sign of good judgment. It looked like it was done in a proper manner."

"The ultimate responsibility lies with the captain. He needs to have the trust and support of his crew, and I believe they shouldn’t go without punishment," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Noggle, 24, of Sasebo Naval Base. "I believe it is appropriate because it was an accident, and there was no malicious intent there. I mean, accidents happen at sea."

Ensign Mike McGregor, who recently became a limited-duty officer after nearly 14 years in the enlisted ranks, said top-down responsibility is a basic part of Navy culture. Even the youngest sailor understands that.

"Any of them that was in that watch station (on the Greeneville) understands that," McGregor said. "If they were distracted by outside observers — it should never happen. I think those guys that just got an admonishment, they got lucky."

At Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the Greeneville’s home port, the repercussions of the collision are likely to continue. Fargo ordered re-training for the Greeneville’s watch-standing team. Until the crew can pass the tests, the sub won’t be certified for missions, Fargo said.

He also ordered Konetzni to prepare a case study on the Greeneville, which will be used to train officers on every ship in the fleet from now on.

"It will serve to all that no matter how routine the mission, there is nothing about going to sea that is forgiving," Fargo said.

Greg Tyler and Wayne Specht contributed to this report.