Vis Per Mare: Stultitia a Iuventute

In an incident that speaks to immaturity, poor-judgment, and a persistent state of cognitive apathy, a number of sailors aboard the deployed aircraft carrier Carl Vinson used their smartphones to record [video] an accident that saw an F-35C impact the carrier’s flight-deck before falling into the South China Sea. 

Some weeks after the accident, as recovery efforts to retrieve the classified, next-generation fighter from Beijing’s maritime backyard got underway, harrowing video of the jet crashing and plunging into the drink leaked online and promptly went viral. 

A subsequent investigation led Navy officials to an ensign who allowed several of his shipmates to view footage of the accident on his monitor, and a chief yeoman who used her smartphone to re-record the accident footage and share it throughout the ship. 

All told, the ensign and four senior enlisted leaders received nonjudicial punishment on a charge of failing to obey an order or regulation. Navy officials determined that none of the infractions justified court-martial.

While the Navy’s investigation into the crash itself has yet to be released, the leaked video instantiates the ease and speed with which sensitive information can travel. 

The infraction will likely impact the manner and extent to which sailors will henceforth be allowed to utilize smartphones aboard ship. Prior to the incident, aircraft carriers set their own device policies. Now, however, Naval Air Command is drafting a force-wide policy. 

Go Navy!

FMI: www.navy.mil