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Discipline, deaths prompt inquiries into riverine unit
http://hamptonroads.com/2013/12/discipline-deaths-prompt-inquiries-navy-riverine-unitDiscipline, deaths prompt inquiries into riverine unit
By Dianna Cahn
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 13, 2013
VIRGINIA BEACH
A Navy chief petty officer is facing charges that he illegally detained five junior sailors for hours on end without access to food, water, a bathroom or legal representation. Last week, another sailor implicated in the case apparently took his own life.
The death was the third presumed suicide this year at Coastal Riverine Squadron 2, the Navy has confirmed - raising alarms about a unit also dealing with allegations of alcohol abuse and cover-ups of wrongdoing.
The Virginia Beach unit is now in the crosshairs of several investigations. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is looking into the deaths; an inspector general examined the detentions; and the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command is conducting a command climate investigation.
"Certainly, over the last few months, we've had a series of events that have shaken the force and impacted the families," said Capt. Erich Diehl, commodore of Coastal Riverine Group 2, which oversees the squadron at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.