A Coast Guard Academy Grad told me the USCGA Men’s Lacrosse Page is No Place to Talk About Sexual Assault. I Disagree. Here are Our Texts.
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I don't know why an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard would take this stand, but he did.
I think this is very telling about the type of leader the U.S. Coast Guard Academy is putting out.
Also, if you look at his social media profile, it’s full of nothing but Coast Guard [REDACTED]...kinda sad.
Here are our texts:
Him:
“Carrie - don't be a "dork" and write negative stuff about 18-22 year old cadets that you know nothing about on our COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN'S LACROSSE page. Kids that chose of life of Selfless Service to others over the alternatives. The kids are going to school and chose to represent that school (and the Service) on the lacrosse field with "COAST GUARD" across their chest. Vent about sexual assault woes elsewhere - stay off our page. GO BEARS!!!
Me:
“I am trying to get the story out to the civilian world. I am sorry these kids playing games is more important to you then service members who were not playing games they were hurt. I was enlisted and didn't play games I worked and served my country. If the Coast Guard Academy is worth anything, if they are going to be good leaders to an enlisted force, they will care more about the safety and well being of their crew than a game. If that is not the case the Coast Guard is way worse then what it was 4 years ago when I got out.”
Him:
“Again - our page is not the place for you to vent about sexual assault...Check my record - I bagged, jailed and separated perverts (many that were preying on young enlisted females) while I was in the service - several that passed thru multiple commands - I did the hard stuff and held people accountable.”
Me:
“You and I had very different careers. You look at your time with pride. I love my country and I love the idea of my Coast Guard, but no one protected me, and no one protected my shipmates in my career. Maybe if you were my officer my life would be different. If you truly care about the leaders coming out of the academy you would want them to know what is happening on the deck plates if lacrosse is more important to you then the leader those plays will be. That is the problem.”
Him:
“No, it's not an either/or - there is a time and place for everything - our page is to celebrate our players & our sport - not for you to vent about Coast Guard Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment woes. I'm done.”
Me:
“And you are what is wrong with the Coast Guard. Enjoy your game. The enlisted personnel are hurting. A good leader will see and understand that. This isn't a game it is real life and a lot of people are hurt but I am so happy lacrosse is that important to you.”
** This anonymous U.S. Coast Guard Survivor Testimonial was originally submitted to “The Pettiest Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard” on Facebook in May of 2024 and re-published by MLAA. MLAA does not know the identity of the author and has not verified any of the claims or allegations made in this testimonial. Light formatting changes for readability, or redactions for PII may have been applied before publishing. **