Episode One: Despicable Decisions in Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach

Did You Know: Leadership at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach conceals the number and nature of harassment complaints within the command by employing the tactic of not formally documenting sailors' grievances.

Here are some potential implications of these facts:

1. Erosion of Trust and Morale: Sailors may feel unsupported and discouraged from reporting harassment, leading to a loss of trust in leadership and a decline in morale. This could foster a toxic work environment where misconduct goes unaddressed.
2. Legal and Ethical Violations: The deliberate failure to document complaints may constitute a violation of military regulations, Coast Guard policies, and federal laws, potentially exposing the command to legal consequences.
3. Lack of Accountability: Without proper documentation, there is no accountability for addressing or resolving complaints. This could allow inappropriate behavior to persist, further damaging the integrity of the command.
4. Undermining Safety and Readiness: A hostile or unsafe work environment can affect the mental and emotional well-being of sailors, potentially reducing their overall performance and readiness for duty, which could have broader implications for mission effectiveness.
5. Negative Public Perception and Reputational Damage: If such practices are exposed, it could damage the reputation of the Coast Guard and erode public confidence in the institution's ability to uphold standards of conduct and leadership.

The integrity and effectiveness of the United States Coast Guard depend on a culture of accountability, transparency, and respect for all service members. The failure to document harassment complaints within Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach presents a grave concern not only for the affected sailors but for the entire command structure. This practice undermines trust, morale, and readiness, jeopardizing the mission and tarnishing the institution's reputation.

We call on Coast Guard leadership to take immediate corrective actions by enforcing policies that direct all complaints are properly documented, investigated, and addressed. Reinforcing a transparent reporting system and fostering a culture where service members feel safe to speak up without fear of reprisal is crucial for restoring faith in the command.

We urge Congress to provide the necessary oversight to ensure that harassment complaints within the military are handled in accordance with the law. This includes holding leadership accountable for any failures to document and address these issues and ensuring that policies are in place to protect the rights and dignity of every service member.

Finally, we ask the American people to stand with the men and women of the Coast Guard by demanding transparency and accountability from their leaders. Our service members deserve to work in an environment free from harassment and discrimination, where they can focus on safeguarding our nation without fear of injustice within their own ranks.

Together, we must ensure that the Coast Guard remains a place of honor and respect, where the values of fairness and integrity guide every action.

If you feel that you have been a victim of these types of concerns, feel free to reach out privately at [email protected], or share your story in the comments.

?PETITIONS:

1. SIGN THIS PETITION urging the Supreme Court of the United States to hear the case of Staff Sergeant Ryan Carter who was paralyzed from the chest down following a routine surgery at Walter Reed.
2. SIGN THIS PETITION demanding that our leaders in Congress change the DoD’s unjust administrative investigatory system.
3. SIGN THIS PETITION demanding real anti-harassment reform in the Military and Coast Guard now.

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Graphic Information: Left to Right – Captain (Ret) Ryan Manning, Former Commander, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach; Rear Admiral Andrews Sugimoto, Former Commander, Eleventh District (D11); Captain Stacey Crecy, Commander, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach.

LTC (Ret) Francesca Graham (Retired, Army – United States Military Academy), COO & Chief Advisor with the Walk the Talk Foundation, authored this article. Facts for this article are provided by a source with intimate knowledge of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach processes who wishes to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation.