The death of three sailors assigned to the USS George Washington, who took their lives earlier this year, are not believed to have been connected, according to a Navy investigation that concluded this week.
In April, the suicides took place within days of eachother, when Master-at-Arms Seaman Recruit Xavier Mitchell-Sandor, 19, Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Natasha Huffman, 24, and Retail Services Specialist 3rd Class Mika'il Sharp, 23, all took their own lives.
The deaths of the sailors resulted in questions being raised about the conditions sailors face while on ships and about mental health resources they can access.
The investigation was conducted by the Commander of Naval Air Forces Atlantic, and it found that in Mitchell-Sandor’s death, living conditions while aboard the ship were a “contributing factor.”
Living aboard the ship, which has been docked in Virginia since 2017, took its toll on Mitchell-Sandor, as the investigation says he told his family that he would rather sleep in his car than his living quarters due to the conditions.
The conditions on the ship, which is currently under maintenance to extend its sailing life, are basically a construction zone, with construction noises like needle gunning and bells constantly going off. Another condition noted in the report includes times when the sailors don’t have hot water or power.
According to the investigation, Mitchell-Sandor was offered a chance to move to a better location, as he found it hard to transition to the environment, often driving hours to see family before driving hours back without sleeping and then working.
It was concluded that chronic sleep deprivation and fatigue may have played a part in his suicide. But the investigation also shared that more senior sailors should have encouraged him to relocate when the opportunity arose.
“This was the time for intrusive leadership,” the investigation said.
Of the three sailors to take their lives, only Huffman sought mental health services before taking her life. This raised questions about the availability of such services for sailors.
Since April, the Navy has introduced additional support to the ship so that those seeking help can receive it, according to Rear Adm. John F. Meier, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.
“We have taken a number of additional steps to provide for the care and well-being of our service members, but the bottom line is that we can, and will, do more for our Sailors and their families,” Rear Adm. Meier said in a statement.
The Navy is continuing a broader investigation into the quality of life aboard ships undergoing extended periods of maintenance.
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