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

Did You Know: The leadership at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach will tell their subordinates not to talk to or help fellow Coast Guard personnel who have filed complaints. They will also tell sailors who have filed complaints not to visit their former workspaces because “they have no friends” and “no one likes you.”

Here are some potential implications of these facts:

1. Sailors who make a complaint at LA-LB will feel embarrassed, humiliated, and friendless. Because of this, they will hesitate to ask their teammates for help confirming the allegations in their complaint.
2. Sailors who make a complaint at LA-LB will likely suffer from depression, paranoia, and anxiety – a direct result of being betrayed, isolated, and ostracized by their leadership.
3. Sailors who make a complaint at LA-LB may begin to question their own sanity and the validity of their allegations – a direct result of organizational gaslighting perpetuated by their own leadership.
4. Sailors at LA-LB who witness their leadership isolating, ostracizing, and gaslighting their fellow sailor will learn it is safer for their career and mental health if they stay silent, even in the face of criminal wrongdoing.
5. Leadership at LA-LB will have the freedom to abuse their authority with impunity.
6. The United States Coast Guard, and by extension the Nation, will suffer under the depredations of these few Coast Guard men and women who prioritize self over service.

Stand Up for Integrity and Justice: Coast Guard personnel should never face isolation, intimidation, or mental anguish simply for speaking up. We call on Congress, Coast Guard leadership, and the American people to demand accountability and transparency. Let’s protect the brave individuals who protect us and ensure a culture of respect and support within every Coast Guard unit. Together, we can put an end to the abuse of authority and create a fair and honorable environment for 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.

If you would like to help us fight these issues, please consider donating to the Walk the Talk Foundation via either Venmo or PayPal. We greatly appreciate your support.

All our articles are posted on?LinkedIn here?and?Online here. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter on LinkedIn and follow us on?Instagram,?Facebook, and?X (Twitter).

Below is a sampling of news articles spotlighting systemic leadership corruption in the U.S. Coast Guard.

1. Military Times: This article discusses allegations that the Coast Guard covered up sexual assault cases at its academy. Lawmakers criticized the service for not providing documents and for heavily redacting those it did release. The scandal was highlighted through "Operation Fouled Anchor," which detailed years of unaddressed sexual assault cases. You can read the full article here: Military Times.
2. Stars and Stripes: These articles cover veterans’ calls for accountability in the Coast Guard’s handling of sexual assault cases, pointing to a systemic cover-up over several years. The report details how the service failed to properly investigate or disclose sexual misconduct allegations. You can read the full articles here Stars and Stripes and here Stars and Stripes.
3. Connecticut Public reported on a whistleblower’s accusations that the U.S. Coast Guard lied to victims of sexual assault as part of a cover-up. This came to light during the Operation Fouled Anchor investigation, which uncovered over 100 incidents of sexual misconduct at the academy. For further details, check the article here: Connecticut Public.
4. Marine Insight covered legal actions against the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, with former students demanding $130 million in damages, citing negligence in preventing sexual assaults. The article also discusses the systemic issues and legal proceedings following the CNN report on Operation Fouled Anchor. You can read more about it here: Marine Insight.
5. The Maritime Executive reported on class-action filings by victims who allege that the academy failed to protect cadets from sexual assault. Legal actions are being pursued under the Federal Tort Claims Act. You can access the full article here: Maritime Executive.

Graphic Information: Adm. Linda Fagan becomes 27th Commandant of US Coast Guard - Minuteman Militia

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.