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

Did You Know: The leadership at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach prioritizes a culture of silence, as evidenced by their practice of instructing sailors whose complaints the leadership unsubstantiated to apologize to investigating officers for "wasting their time."

Here are some potential implications of these facts:

1. Chilling Effect on Reporting: This practice may discourage sailors from reporting legitimate concerns or complaints for fear of retribution or being made to feel guilty for speaking out. A culture that prioritizes silence can lead to underreporting of issues, allowing problems to persist unaddressed.
2. Erosion of Trust in Leadership: When sailors feel that their complaints are not taken seriously and are met with punitive measures, trust in leadership is significantly diminished. This erosion of trust can lead to lower morale and a disengaged workforce, impacting overall unit cohesion and effectiveness.
3. Mismanagement of Serious Issues: By framing complaints as a waste of time, leadership risks trivializing serious concerns, including instances of misconduct or harassment. This approach can lead to a lack of appropriate investigation and resolution, perpetuating a toxic environment.
4. Potential Legal Ramifications: Failure to adequately address complaints, especially those related to harassment or misconduct, could expose the Coast Guard to legal liabilities. Victims of unresolved issues may pursue legal action against the command for failing to provide a safe working environment.
5. Negative Impact on Retention and Recruitment: A culture that punishes reporting and discourages open dialogue can lead to higher turnover rates, as sailors may choose to leave an organization that does not value their voices. This can also deter potential recruits who seek a supportive and respectful environment.
6. Undermining of Military Justice and Accountability: A culture of silence diminishes accountability within the ranks, as it discourages transparency and honest communication. This can compromise the integrity of the military justice system and erode the values that uphold discipline and order.
7. Long-term Damage to the Coast Guard’s Reputation: If such practices are exposed, it can damage the public perception of the Coast Guard’s commitment to supporting its personnel. Public scrutiny can lead to calls for reform and increased oversight, further straining resources and focus.
8. Psychological Impact on Sailors: Sailors who are made to feel guilty for voicing concerns may experience increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. This can negatively affect their mental health and overall well-being, leading to long-term consequences.

The prioritization of a culture of silence at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, exemplified by the practice of requiring sailors with unfounded complaints to apologize to investigating officers for "wasting their time," represents a serious failure in leadership and accountability. This approach not only undermines the voices of service members but also perpetuates a toxic environment where legitimate concerns go unaddressed.

We call on Coast Guard leadership to take immediate action to dismantle this culture of silence. Leadership must commit to fostering an environment where all complaints are treated with respect and seriousness, ensuring that sailors feel safe and supported when voicing their concerns. Training and education on appropriate complaint handling and accountability must be prioritized to reinforce a culture of openness and integrity.

We urge Congress to conduct thorough oversight of how complaints and allegations are handled within the Coast Guard. Legislative action may be necessary to ensure that policies are in place to protect whistleblowers and to establish clear consequences for any leadership that fails to uphold these standards. Congress must ensure that the voices of service members are not only heard but valued.

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 a workplace that prioritizes their safety and well-being, allowing them to fulfill their duties without fear of retaliation or silence.

Together, we must create an environment where all service members feel empowered to speak out, fostering a culture of respect, accountability, and support within the Coast Guard. Silence is not an option; we must act decisively to protect those who serve our nation.

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.