Starlink, an Elong Musk company, uses satellites to provide high-speed internet access in remote locations. Ms Marrero claimed the Wi-Fi system was to boost morale, but the investigation found it was a breach of security.
“[T]he danger such systems pose to the crew, the ship and the Navy cannot be understated,” the investigation said. “The installation and usage of Starlink, without the approval of higher headquarters, poses a serious risk to mission, operational security, and information security.”
The investigation found the scheme was led by Ms Marrero and involved the entire, 15-member chief’s mess. Rank-and-file sailors nor the ship’s command were involved.
‘The gig is up’
The scheme was only uncovered when junior sailors suspected there was Wi-Fi onboard but the password was hidden from them. Despite several searches by the ship’s commanding officer, it was the Manchester’s combat systems officer who took a photo of the dish on the ship’s weather deck.
“The gig is up,” Ms Marrero texted one of the scheme’s participants.
When questioned about the network, Ms Marrero offered lies, false documents and misleading information to cover up the misdeed.
At a special court martial earlier this year, Ms Marrero pleaded guilty to wilful dereliction of duty charge specifications, the Navy Times reported. Her rank was reduced to chief petty officer.
The officers who knew about but did not report the Wi-Fi were given administrative non-judicial punishment at commodore’s mast.
“This agreement was a criminal conspiracy, supported by the overt act of bringing the purchased Starlink onboard USS Manchester,” the investigation said. “Any new member of the CPO Mess, which then paid into the services joined that conspiracy following the system’s operational status.”
