The Sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln Deserve Better
The treatment of those on board betrays the promise made by the 16th president himself.
For nearly 250 days, the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln has been battling a marathon deployment, enduring a litany of hardships and inadequate support. The ship, named after a former president, has been carrying out combat operations, leaving the 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard with limited relief and basic necessities. The ship's crew faces daily challenges, from food shortages and unreliable hygiene supplies to a lack of access to mail.
The USS Abraham Lincoln's plight has revealed a troubling pattern of neglect and disrespect towards military personnel—a pattern that extends beyond this ship and this deployment. In 2021, the Department of the Navy began to prioritize sailors' well-being, focusing on mental health and suicide prevention. Yet, the current administration's actions have seemingly undermined these efforts.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's recent actions, including blocking the promotion of numerous high-ranking officers, particularly women and people of color, have created an artificial leadership vacuum. Disrespect and dismissiveness from top military officials have further exacerbated the situation, with sailors feeling that their concerns are being dismissed and their leaders failing to provide the necessary support.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
