Brian Bradley
NS&D Monitor
12/19/2014
As the Navy continues its investigation into alleged recordings of undressed female sailors aboard the USS Wyoming ballistic missile submarine, NS&D Monitor has learned new details surrounding the documented events. Whereas previous media reports suggested that a 24-year-old male was the subject of an investigation focusing on the alleged recording of undressed women in the submarine’s showers, a Navy official told NS&D Monitor this week that 12 male petty officers are being investigated for the alleged filming—documented in an incident report—of female sailors undressing in a unisex clothes-changing area adjacent to showers on the submarine.
In addition to the Navy Criminal Investigative Service’s (NCIS) ongoing criminal investigation, the service has almost completed an investigation of the Manual of the Judge Advocate General (JAGMAN), which awaits approval by top Navy officials. The male sailors have been removed from the ship pending completion of the NCIS investigation.
Review to Look at ‘Situation in its Totality’
The official said the JAGMAN investigation takes a wide-ranging view—beyond criminality—of the incident, including an evaluation of the Navy’s existing related policies and procedures. “I don’t want to confirm that we’re looking at any one thing for review, but what I will say is that the purpose of the JAGMAN investigation is to look at the situation in its totality, which would include looking at procedures: Were they followed? And on down the line,” the official said, adding that the putative victims of the incident are still assigned to the ship. Reports have suggested that at least three of the four women serving aboard the USS Wyoming were recorded.
NCIS has completed the interview portion of its investigation, and is in the process of conducting forensics, Lt. Cmdr. Tommy Crosby, spokesperson for Submarine Forces Atlantic, told NS&D Monitor during a phone interview this week. “That is a tedious and time-consuming evolution, so we absolutely are allowing them and the experts they have to do that thoroughly,” he said. NCIS has “vehemently” told Submarine Forces Atlantic that it is working diligently to complete the investigation, Crosby said, and has also advised the force that it is a naturally painstaking process.
Morale an Issue Among Submarine Force
Fifty-nine women are assigned to three SSBNs and four guided-missile submarines home-ported in Kings Bay, Ga., and Bangor, Wash. Of those 59, 45 are nuclear-trained officers and 19 have qualified to serve inside the submarines. Responding this week to a question about morale via email, Crosby said the last few weeks have been challenging. “[B]ut the crew remains steadfast in their commitment and proud of their service in our Navy and the Submarine Force,” he wrote. “Our Sailors understand their obligation to serve with fidelity and integrity worthy of the nation’s confidence. They are committed to upholding high standards of character and conduct while treating fellow shipmates with the utmost dignity and respect regardless of gender.”
A letter obtained this week by NS&D Monitor that was sent earlier this month by Vice Adm. M.J. Connor, commander of Submarine Forces, to submarine brass, said victim assistance was provided promptly after the allegations came to light. Connor also said the integration of female sailors aboard submarines has gone “remarkably well” so far, and that the performance of the women and their crews has been successful.
He said it would be “inaccurate” to say the integration has been achieved without incident, but cited the benefits of the integration, which has “unequivocally” made the Navy a “better force,” he stated. “Incidents that violate the trust of our Sailors go against every core value we hold sacred in our naval service,” Connor added. “They are incredibly humiliating to the individuals victimized, and to every service member in our force, male or female. It breaks a sacred bond between all shipmates; we go to war together with the confidence that we can rely on each other in all circumstances, and incidents of Sailors victimizing other Sailors represent an extreme breach of that trust!” Connor pledged to hold all involved individuals fully accountable for their actions, if the allegations prove to be true.