JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Thousands of sailors and Marines aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have been at sea for more than 260 days, and reports of mental health concerns are raising questions about the toll of such a long deployment.
Retired Col. Chris Budihas, host of First Coast Military Life, joined In Depth with Kristine Bellino to talk about what is happening and why he believes this goes beyond mental health.
“This is more of a readiness story,” Budihas said.
The stress of a long deployment
About 5,000 sailors and Marines have been at sea for more than 264 days.
Budihas said that means months of living in tight spaces, working around the clock and spending very little time away from the job.
Families back home feel it too. Bellino brought up the story of a military spouse who told Military Times that her husband had tried to jump overboard from the Lincoln. She said communication with him has been difficult and their family is scared.
Budihas said long deployments and changing return dates can put even more pressure on families who are already spending months apart.
Concerns aboard the Lincoln
There have also been reports of possible food shortages, plumbing problems and other issues aboard the carrier.
Budihas said extended deployments can put stress on both the people and the ship itself, especially when a ship is kept at sea beyond its normal maintenance schedule.
He also said reports of suicidal thoughts or attempts need to be taken seriously.
The Navy, however, told CBS News that it has not identified an increase in reported suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts aboard the Lincoln. It also said sailors have access to counselors, chaplains, medical professionals and other resources.
Budihas said having those resources is important, but service members also have to feel comfortable using them.
“There’s a stigma about seeking help,” he said.
Could the Lincoln come home?
When asked if the USS Abraham Lincoln could be sent home, Budihas said he doubts it, but ultimately does not know what military leaders will decide.
That decision would depend on the mission and whether another ship could take its place.
For Budihas, the bigger issue is making sure the military is paying attention to the people behind the mission.
“This is not a partisan issue,” he said. “Stick to the fact that this is a readiness issue and we need to be taking care of our service members.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 to connect with a crisis counselor. You can also use the online chat at https://988lifeline.org/chat/.
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