Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. Eight US Navy personnel assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during a period that included combat operations against Iran, according to a letter from the service’s acting secretary. I mean, that’s a pretty shocking statistic, and I’m not surprised CNN is making a big deal out of it. The letter, which was obtained by CNN, reveals that the number of attempts is roughly consistent with the rate of suicide attempts among the entire active duty Navy in 2024. But still, it’s disturbing to think about the strain these sailors are under.
The acting Navy Secretary, Hung Cao, wrote that no service members had killed themselves during the deployment, which is a small blessing, I suppose. But the fact that eight sailors attempted to take their own lives is still a major concern. And let’s not forget, these sailors were part of a group that was conducting combat operations against Iran, which can’t have been easy. I can only imagine the stress and pressure they must have been under.
I have to say, I’m a bit surprised that the Navy didn’t respond to CNN’s request for comment ahead of publication. You’d think they’d want to get out in front of this story and reassure everyone that they’re taking the mental health of their sailors seriously. But maybe they’re just not sure what to say. After all, it’s not like they can just magic away the problems these sailors are facing.
According to Cao’s letter, the Lincoln deployed with various mental health resources onboard, including chaplains, counselors, and even an expeditionary facility dog. Which is great, don’t get me wrong. But maybe it’s not enough. I mean, if eight sailors are still attempting suicide, something is clearly not working. And it’s not just the mental health resources – the conditions on the ship were apparently pretty rough, with toilets and water fountains frequently closed and hot water often unavailable.
A crew member serving on the Lincoln described the morale on the carrier as very low, which doesn’t surprise me. I mean, who wouldn’t be miserable living in those conditions? And the fact that sailors were jumping overboard or attempting to jump overboard is just heartbreaking. It’s clear that these sailors are desperate for some relief, and they’re not getting it.
The Navy says they don’t believe there’s a correlation between deployment length and thoughts of self-harm, but I’m not so sure. I mean, it stands to reason that the longer you’re stuck on a ship with no amenities and constant stress, the more likely you are to start feeling desperate. And the fact that the Lincoln was kept out of port for over six months, conducting combat operations against Iran, can’t have helped.
In the end, it’s just a sad story all around. These sailors are putting their lives on the line for our country, and we’re not doing enough to support them. As one US military official told CNN, “Eight attempted suicides is incredibly high.” And I have to agree – it’s a staggering number, and one that should be a wake-up call for all of us. So, let’s all take a deep breath and hope that the Navy gets its act together and starts taking care of its sailors. And maybe, just maybe, we can prevent something like this from happening again in the future. 🙏
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
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