@Baez
I know that military officers do sometimes chew out enlisted personel and what not. That is a given, however most have good taste in their choice of venu for doing it (such as a private office). More to the point, there is a difference between loosing his composure and chewing somebody out. His reaction in this case seems to be more towards lost of control of himself instead of chewing John a new one. It was panicy (yes I know spelling sucks) and self motivated.
He does not give any impression what so ever that he is looking out for the crew or the ship. He does however give the impression (to me) that he just wants to save his own skin. That is what I am trying to say.