After a obvious suicide chain Among the crew of a US Navy ship, officials announced they are removing the crew from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and allowing them to live off the ship.
The US Navy has eliminate more than 200 sailorsCNN reported and is investigating the deaths of seven crew members, including four by apparent suicide in the past year.
According to the Washington Post, three crew members are believed to have died by suicide in April – all within a week of each other.
F/A-18 Super Hornet and F/A-18 Hornet fighters are seen on the flight deck of the US aircraft carrier USS George Washington in this file photo.
Photo of Murat Kaynak / Getty
Several news outlets reported the dire condition on the ship docked in Newport News, Va., The ship is undergoing an overhaul to refuel reactors and upgrade its combat system. it.
However, work delays have left boats sometimes without running water, hot meals and working restrooms.
ABC News reports that after a string of deaths and after complaints from the crew, the Navy has begun provide temporary accommodation for the ship’s staff.
While the majority of the ship’s 2,700 crew members have lived off the ship, 260 of the 400 crew members on board now have access to accommodations elsewhere. And an additional 50 crew members will be given the option next week.
Captain Russell Smith visited the ship last week to talk to crew members and ask questions.
He admits that for sailors working on a ship undergoing maintenance, it can be a tough gig.
“How many of you signed up to take the train at the yards? How many of you think, man, I can’t wait to be in a pier… and paint chips instead and do all the things that we do to make our ship Are we ready for battle? ” he asked the crew. “Nobody wants to do that job.”
He continued: “So if you’re less happy because you don’t feel like you’re doing the job you came here to do, you’re degrading your technical ability at any rate. . It is not optimal. We know that.”
According to CNN, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was working to solve the problem of military suicide. So far this year, the Navy has had 18 active-duty members take their own lives.
Austin wrote in a memo announcing an independent review committee to address suicide prevention and response. “And the suicide rate among our Service members is still too high.”
According to the US Department of Defense, 580 service members have died by suicide in 2020, and suicide rates across all branches of the military have increased over the past five years.
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If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In the event of an emergency, please call 911 for immediate help.
For a directory of support services in your area, visit The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.
Learn more about helping someone in crisis on the Canadian government website.
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