Concerns have been raised regarding the conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Navy warship that has been deployed since December 11. As the ship prepares for a crew rotation, with the USS George Washington set to relieve it in the Middle East within the week, questions about crew well-being and mental health have resurfaced.

<![CDATA[IMAGE2]]> USS Abraham Lincoln, seen in 2012 in Hawaii

While a CNN crew visiting the Lincoln on July 7 reported no widespread issues and found food to be plentiful and showers hot, some crew members mentioned being forced to ration food and lose weight over "many months." Signs of mold were also observed.

The incoming USS George Washington has its own history of mental health challenges. In 2022, a series of suicides aboard the ship while it was docked in Virginia prompted an investigation. The inquiry concluded in May 2023 that the deaths resulted from multiple issues related to poor living conditions, and that Navy leadership had "let our standards slip."

Experts note that the unique environment of naval deployments can exacerbate mental health struggles. Dr. Harold Kudler, former head of mental health policy for the U.S. Veterans Administration, explained that the isolation, prolonged periods of boredom interspersed with extreme alertness, and uncertainty about the mission and homecoming can be overwhelming for service members.

<![CDATA[IMAGE4]]> Burnell's certificate from the Navy, next to a photo of him in his sailor's uniform

"You don't know where the front is," Kudler stated, describing the nature of modern warfare and the psychological impact on those involved. He likened the situation to a historical training film from World War II, which depicted a sailor in an enclosed space, unaware of the external conflict, to illustrate that even those not directly in combat are under immense stress.

Research by the VA indicates that military personnel and veterans have a 50% higher risk of suicide compared to the general American population. Kudler emphasized the importance of making each crew member feel integral to the mission, while also acknowledging the potential monotony of their roles. He suggested that activities like singing competitions and picnics on deck are used to combat isolation and boredom.

Kudler supports calls from Democrats in Congress for an investigation into the circumstances leading to the current situation on the USS Abraham Lincoln. He highlighted that the ship's operational effectiveness is directly tied to its crew's well-being, stating, "The ship can only perform as well as its crew." He added, "Those 5,000 people comprise a community. Not just men and women under stress. It's a community under stress."

However, some in the military dismiss concerns about widespread mental health crises. Rogers of the AUSN, who has served on Navy ships for extended periods, stated that feelings of depression and boredom are common among military personnel and that troops are equipped with chaplains and mental health counselors to manage stress. He characterized reports of sailors contemplating suicide as "overblown" and "locker room talk."