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Memorial Day is always difficult for the ones who survived their enlistment. Survivors guilt can drag you into a depression and the entire day is filled with triggering propaganda. I’ve lost many close to me from my time in the navy but some weigh on me daily. A thread:
In 2017 I lost someone in a collision that happened in 7th fleet. The entire crew was so overworked and painfully tired they suffered a collision resulting in the death of 7 sailors. https://news.usni.org/2018/04/26/7th-fleet-overworked-suffered-manning-shortage-ahead-fatal-collisions-says-former-co-aucoin">https://news.usni.org/2018/04/2...
I love a few more friends from the USS McCain crash. The military cut corners to save money on their navigation system so they crashed into another ship. 10 more sailors died. https://features.propublica.org/navy-uss-mccain-crash/navy-installed-touch-screen-steering-ten-sailors-paid-with-their-lives/">https://features.propublica.org/navy-uss-...
This one still stings since this happened on my base, while I was at work and we could see it. The leadership was so toxic in his command that a young man literally threw himself into a rotating helicopter. This isn’t uncommon. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.military.com/daily-news/2019/06/08/his-suicide-note-was-message-navy-way-he-died-was-exclamation-point.html/amp">https://www.google.com/amp/s/www...
Toxic leadership runs absolutely wild within the military. I myself was driven to the point of a mental breakdown. In extreme cases, sailors resort to homicidal and suicidal actions. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/12/05/multiple-gunshot-victims-reported-active-shooter-situation-pearl-harbor-naval-shipyard/%3foutputType=amp">https://www.google.com/amp/s/www...
In a short time period, 3 sailors killed themselves from the same command. I cannot stress to you enough how absolutely horrible being active duty is. Most of us were there just to avoid being hungry and homeless. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wavy.com/news/military/navy/after-3-sailors-from-norfolk-carrier-commit-suicide-navy-points-to-resources-to-combat-growing-issue/amp/">https://www.google.com/amp/s/www...
In 2018, I lost another friend. His partner posting daily on Facebook BEGGING for them to keep searching. She felt helpless. We all did. It was never officially ruled a suicide but based off of other cases on the ship, it wouldn’t have been surprising. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/07/22/navy-identifies-missing-5th-fleet-sailor/">https://www.navytimes.com/news/your...
Another sailor was lost while on duty ON THE SHIP. Literally killed themselves at work. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pilotonline.com/military/article_e068d752-7728-55a4-87f1-a1f68136d269.html%3foutputType=amp">https://www.google.com/amp/s/www...
There are many MANY more lives lost from wars for profit, our unethical treatment of service members and the millions of lives lost overseas. All victims of our Military industrial complex. Today is hard. Everyday is hard. That’s why we have to keep fighting to fix this.
