An investigation was opened after a black sailor found a noose in his bed aboard a naval ship.
According to The San Diego Tribune, a black seaman who was aboard a Navy warship, the USS Lake Champlain, found a noose on its cradle last week while the ship was stationed in San Diego.
A Navy official announced that a San Diego-based seaman is currently being investigated and is no longer on the ship that left San Diego on Monday.
A spokeswoman for Navy Surface Forces Pacific confirmed in a written statement to The San Diego Tribune that the object resembled a noose, but did not provide any further details on the ongoing case.
“NCIS is investigating an incident aboard USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) in which an object resembling a noose was found in a berth,” said Cmdr. Nicole Schwegman. “The Navy takes all allegations of seafarers’ misconduct and racial discrimination seriously. Due to the ongoing investigation, we will not comment further.”
None of the sailors have been identified, but it has been reported that the sailor suspected of leaving the noose claims to have done so as a joke.
According to The Navy Times, the Navy recently published 57 Task Force One Navy recommendations to promote diversity and inclusion in the fleet.
“As a Marine – uniform and civil, active and cautious – we cannot tolerate any form of discrimination and must have open and honest discussions with one another and take action,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, chief of naval operations, made a statement. “That’s why we advocated Task Force One Navy – to identify and remove racial barriers, improve inclusion efforts, create new opportunities for professional development, and remove barriers to entry into the Navy.”
“We’ve come up short in the past by excluding or limiting opportunities for people based on race, sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender, or creed,” said Gilday. “Our Navy must continue to remove barriers to service and, most importantly, be a shining example of a workforce focused on respect, including everyone. Simply put, all seafarers – uniformed and civilian – and applicants to join the Navy must above all be treated with dignity and respect. “
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