A Navy chief has been dismissed from service after installing satellite internet on a naval vessel for personal use.
The incident involving the USS Manchester has raised concerns about misuse of military resources.
The USS Manchester, commanded by Chief Grisel Marrero, underwent a significant change when a Starlink satellite dish was secretly installed.
This installation was done without proper authorization.
It was kept secret and intended to provide internet connectivity for the crew so they could engage in social media activity while at sea.
The installation of the satellite raised concerns about compromising the ship’s security.
It also posed a risk of potential cyber-attacks that could affect the mission.
Despite the crew’s desire to stay connected during their extended deployments, the consequences of this action were severe.
An investigation following Chief Marrero’s dismissal revealed that she, along with a group of chief petty officers, purchased the Starlink High-Performance Kit from SpaceX.
The Starlink High-Performance Kit, known for providing high-speed internet connectivity even while in motion, was installed on the USS Manchester.
Upon discovery of the unauthorized installation, Chief Marrero was relieved of her duties.
She was also demoted for admitting to providing false statements to her superiors.
The incident has sparked discussions both within the military and among the public.
Many are concerned about the potential security risks associated with installing unauthorized equipment on military vessels.
The presence of personal satellite internet could potentially expose sensitive information or compromise the security of the vessel.
Additionally, there are concerns about the impact on morale among the crew.
Using military resources for personal reasons can feel unfair and disrupt teamwork.
This can hurt how well the team works together.
On the other hand, some have expressed sympathy for the chief, suggesting the desire to stay connected with family and friends while being on duty.
What a humble and convenient Navy of America, one user said.
Seems like a good way for the enemy to detect you and end everyone on the ship, the second user commented.
As a Chief she should have known better, the third user said.
It is definitely a security risk, but I think she was demoted because she lied when initially confronted about it, another wrote.
