Navy chief in Pearl Harbor installs unauthorized satellite for sports scores

In 2023, a Navy chief named Grisel Marrero was found to have installed an unauthorized Starlink satellite dish on the USS Manchester, a littoral combat ship. This installation occurred prior to the ship's deployment from San Diego, with the satellite costing $2,800. The purpose of the satellite was to allow Marrero and other officers to access social media, check sports scores, and watch movies, which is against Navy regulations that restrict internet access during operations to ensure cybersecurity and bandwidth for military tasks. Marrero, a former information systems technician, attempted to conceal the satellite's existence by renaming the network and intercepting comments about it. The unauthorized network was not shared with lower-ranking sailors, highlighting a breach of trust and responsibility expected from senior enlisted leaders. The group also used a debit card from the Chief Petty Officer Association to cover the $1,000 monthly bill for the satellite service. In March 2023, Marrero was convicted at a court-martial for dereliction of duty and providing false statements to her commanders. Following her conviction, she was demoted to chief petty officer and relieved of her duties due to a loss of confidence in her leadership abilities. The Navy emphasized the importance of accountability among its senior enlisted leaders, stating that they are expected to uphold high standards of responsibility and reliability. This incident reflects broader issues within the Navy regarding adherence to regulations and the consequences of misconduct. It also follows another recent incident where a commander was relieved of duty for improper firearm handling, indicating a pattern of scrutiny on leadership within the Navy.