Navy Report Ignores Sailor's Suicide

A Youth Radio investigation finds that the U.S. Navy's report on hazing in its Bahrain Canine Unit omitted the suicide of the unit's leading Petty Officer, who feared she had become the scapegoat for widespread abuse.

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Comments

[takeabigdeepbreath]

Thank you to YOUTH radio for breaking this sad and important story. Where was everyone in ADULT radio and other media?????

[VivamusAmemus]

Sadly, ADULT radio and media are too busy covering the David Letterman story. Extortion and an old guy who can't keep it in his pants are far more exciting to them.

[FirstShirt]

If there is anyone reading this and thinking there is no other way, there is. Talk to someone. There are suicide hotlines on the web and often in the telephone book.

If you are in the military the system often does not reinforce seeking help but thousands do ask and do get it. You have to decide what is most important in your life.

And, if you are in the militiary and being subjected to abuse or discrimination you can contact the Inspector General or your congressman or senator. Will the s**t hit the fan? You bet. So what.

[VivamusAmemus]

This is such a sad story, and I feel badly for this woman's family and friends. It's truly a heart breaking loss. Yet whenever I hear stories like this it makes me so angry to know that there are so many people out there who say that gays and lesbians shouldn't be allowed in the military because they would be a threat to the safety and morale of the troops. How would they explain this hazing? Is this kind of behavior not a threat to the safety and morale of the troops? Maybe they should look at the problems we have now before they begin to consider excluding an entire group of the population from serving.

[kk78]

Its almost like a giant college sorority

[windup]

I fail to understand, with so many stories about female abuse in the military why any female would want to sign up.

[mabinog]

I fail to understand why females are allowed to be abused. Isn't that the more appropriate question?

[koalaholik]

Maybe they are patriots who are repaid for their patriotism by the male collegues (sp) with sexual, mental and physical harrassment. Or are only men allowed to be patriots?

[hallowellboy]

Abuse of personnel in the military is out of control. Yet, nothing is done. How about it Commander in Chief?

[lobear00]

Before you pass judgement on this person , go back to when it first began, and why it was allowed to continue to this point. Then pass your judgement on all those before this one.

[Bai]

She looks so happy, so healthy, and so strong in the photos.

You just never know....

[Carl Caroli]

Our military has a long history of abuse and cover up. Starting with boot camp, soldiers are abused and humiliated into subservience by low level officers that enjoy the power rush of bringing recruits to their knees. Many recruits have died in boot camp but they manage to cover that up by intimidating anyone considering reporting it. Aggression is rewarded and promoted. Grunts are kept quiet for fear of retribution and sadly some can't live with themselves knowing that they're damned if they do and damned if they don't. There needs to be a mechanism for them to speak up under such circumstances. McChrystal signed off on the Pat Tillman lie. Many high ranking officers refused to acknowledge that torturing of suspected terrorists was systemic and tried to pin the blame on rogues. They conveniently leave out facts in reports that might implicate officers or expose transgressions. When confronted, they tighten their ranks. This is not the way to treat Americans that volunteer to put their life on the line.

[jackiero]

I know I will get flamed for this, but so be it. Being in the military is not an easy job. You are trained to handle being mentally manipulated so that you can handle it when it's your enemy doing the manipulation. You have to go outside yourself in times of combat because you may take another's life. All that is the ugly side of the military, but is essential to the job so long as there are human troops.

That being said, if the system that was enacted to protect her failed--or worse, there was a cover-up for money/insurance purposes--then whomever was involved should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

[teepeeyoyo]

Spoken like a true civilian....but I won't flame you, but in this particular case...what she didn't know got the best of her...unfortunately, The Petty Officer made a decision to end it all before it could be determined what her culpability was, which was regrettable but now moot.

[teepeeyoyo]

Sad, but unfortunately not uncommon, these are just the ones you hear about, finally.

[roblabrousse]

It's beyond disgusting that a person joins an organization that is meant to defend people and countries and she ends up killing herself because of that organization. Why do men always have to try so hard proving how big their reproduction organ is to others? Isn't there a test to tag this mentality and keep it away from others in such an important interdependent organization? I'm sure this woman's death is seen as an inconvenience more than anything else.

[Whinger]

Cowards always run away from the truth, they dishonor all they stand for!

[MeloMelo66]

she was so beautiful... reminds me of my college friend...so sad...

[Safire]

I am saddened to tears, and sick to my stomach. She could have been my daughter, or my beautiful niece who just graduated from basic training in the Navy. My daughter decided not to join at the last minute. This young woman lost her life for what? I am so sorry for her family's loss. May she rest in peace.

[Ryan Simon]

What a tragic unnecessary death from a dedicated soldier, I hope that justice is served for Valdivia and Rocha and that this kind of corruption is eradicated.