Senior Enlisted Petty Officer Court Martialed

[Witmo]

An E8 aboard a Littoral Combat Ship in the Pacific got reduced one grade to E7 as a result of a court martial. She lied at least 3 times to the ship's skipper's face concerning what turned out to be a Starlink system she and the other Petty Officers paid for and installed without authorization on the ship to provide internet service to the Petty Officers while at sea and in port. Suspicions arose when crewmembers noticed an internet router showing up named "Stinky" that the Communications Officer was clueless about. When the Captain asked the Senior Enlisted Petty Officer, she claimed no knowledge of Stinky but would look into it. Stinky soon disappeared and was replaced by what appeared to be a wireless printer network which didn't appear suspicious. Upon reaching a port where some antenna work was scheduled, technicians found the Starlink antenna and the cat was let out of the bag. She told the Captain that the system was only used in port and provided a falsified Starlink statement showing only portside activity for the account. Investigators contacted Starlink directly and records indicated the link was active 24/7 during the entire cruise at sea and in port. The existence and use of a system like Starlink could compromise the position of the ship and could very easily assist in an enemy's targeting of the ship during hostilities. In my opinion, her lies and providing false evidence should have put her in the brig and warranted a dishonorable discharge. The other petty officers deserve some punishment also but the reports don't say what, if any, happened to them.