US sailor who jumped from aircraft carrier faces disciplinary action

A 19-year-old US Navy sailor who jumped from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln earlier this month is facing non-judicial punishment, according to charging documents and his wife’s account reported by MS NOW.

The sailor went overboard on August 3 in what his wife has described as a suicide attempt amid the ship’s record-length deployment.

He spent about an hour in the water before a search-and-rescue helicopter recovered him.

He was treated aboard the carrier, medically evacuated, and returned to San Diego on August 13.

There he spent five days at Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa).

His wife said he saw neither a psychiatrist nor a therapist during that stay and was ordered to report back to work immediately upon release.

His first therapy appointment did not occur until August 26.

Charging documents reviewed by MS NOW accuse the sailor of violating Article 83 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for “malingering”—defined as intentionally faking an illness or inflicting self-injury to avoid work, duty, or service—and Article 86 for absence without leave.

The case is being handled through non-judicial punishment, commonly known as a captain’s mast, rather than a court-martial.

Documents indicate he could forfeit up to half his normal pay.

The sailor and his wife, both 19, have a 3½-year-old son and a daughter born in February while he was deployed.

His wife said he repeatedly requested paternity leave and was denied each time.

She also said he had sought help for his mental health from his chain of command and the ship’s medical team before the incident but felt dismissed.

In a July 21 text to his wife, he wrote that “the boat is finally getting to me” and expressed doubt he could finish the deployment.

“I think they’re insane for doing this to people who need mental help,” the wife told MS NOW.

“Instead of giving them help, this is just another huge stressor.”

She spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the disciplinary process.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been at sea for more than 250 consecutive days without a port call while supporting operations related to the war with Iran, according to multiple reports.

Families and some media accounts have raised concerns about morale, living conditions, and mental health aboard the roughly 5,000-person ship.

A Navy official has stated there has not been an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the vessel and noted that one sailor went overboard, was recovered, treated, and transferred for further care.

A Navy spokesperson told MS NOW the service is “fully committed to the health and wellbeing of every Sailor,” that mental health resources are available 24/7, and that “asking for help is a sign of strength.”