[ANNA PAULINA LUNA, ‘01 kwon os oe aoe am Darn Fico isin ant COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND [ACCOUNTABILITY commmusonnarmanesones Congress of the Anited States Bouse of Representatives Washington, BE 20515-0913 March 11, 2024 Honorable Carlos Del Toro Secretary of the Navy 1300 Navy Pentagon Washington, DC 20350 Dear Secretary Del Toro, It has come to our attention that the United States Navy’s Submarine Force has been experiencing several safety issues that are increasing mental health concerns among Submarine Force personnel. These safety concems surround submarine conditions while out at sea, the separation from families during homeport shifts, and an inadequate and improper investigation process for safety concerns that are reported. First, the physical condition of our submarines that are being sent out to sea has contributed to the recent spike in mental health concerns within the Submarine Force. Specifically, we have been told that leadership has obfuscated the condition of certain equipment that is integral to ensuring that submarines do not experience any casualty while underway. Due to leadership's actions, Sailors on submarines have increased anxiety about going out to sea with compromised equipment because they feel that leadership prioritizes training evolutions over the safety of government equipment and their lives. This widespread belief among Sailors has resulted in the loss of key personnel to mental health concerns which directly impacts each submarine’s ability to go out to sea. It also affects other submarines and billets which are forced to restructure to compensate for the loss in personnel. In terms of the investigations surrounding the physical condition of submarines, we have been told that it is a well-known fact among Sailors that Commanding Officers (COs) and Executive Officers (XOs) are incentivized to control the narratives surrounding the physical condition of submarines so they can continue to push submarines out to sea. The external entities who are charged with inspecting submarines are typically staffed by personnel who were previously attached to the submarines that are being inspected. The pressure COs and XOs can apply to personnel that are working for external entities through this process does little to address the safety concems that Sailors have One of the most alarming reports that has been brought to our attention is a situation where a Sailor, who had mental health concerns while on a submarine stemming from the safety issues deseribed above, was removed from the submarine, and hospitalized for suicidal ideations. Allowing the mental health of one of our Sailors to deteriorate to this point is unacceptable. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPERSecond, the separation of families during homeport shifts has been another major contributor to the growing mental health crisis in the Submarine Force. To our knowledge, when a homeport shift is announced, itis often at the discretion of the CO and XO to determine which families will be separated, It was reported to us that in one instanee, a CO and XO on a submarine went against all counsel and options that would keep a Sailor with their family, opting to keep them on i the submarine unnecessarily. While not every family can be kept together, all options should be pursued by COs and XOs before a separation is decicled. ‘Third, the inadequate and improper investigation process regarding the two previously stated concerns does little to ensure that Sailor complaints are being properly assessed. It has come to our awareness that Sailors who file complaints regarding safety concerns and their leadership's handling of these situations fee! that nothing will be done because Inspector Generals (IG) | assigned to investigate the complaint have friendly relationships with COs and XOs, The IG’s ! relationship with the submarine’s COs and XOs can lead to biased investigations that leave Sailors feeling trapped in an unresolved situation. Some of the resolutions that result from these investigations include a slap on the wrist or no consequences at all, These resolutions do not address the concems that exist with the COs and XOs, Instead, they strip any semblance of faith that Sailors have in the IG system when they file complaints. Considering the alarming information that has been described above, we request a response to each of the following questions by March 25, 2024, 1, What is the current process used by the Submarine Force to ensure that the condition of submarines and other equipment ate appropriately reviewed for safety before being sent ‘out to sea? 2. What extemal entities conduct inspections of submarines and equipment before they are sent out.{o sea and how are these personnel assigned to each inspection? 3. When a Sailor begins struggling with mental health concerns while underway, what resourves are available to them and how do you measure the use of these resources? 4, What counsel and options are available to COs and XOs when they make determinations regarding the families that will be separated during homeport shifts? ‘When a complaint is filed by a Sailor, what process does the Office of the Inspector General use to ensure that unbiased investigators are assigned to review each claim? “Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, ; Anna Paulina Luna Derrick Van Orden Brandon Williams Member of Congress “Member of Congress Member of Congress