The Independence variant littoral combat ships USS Independence (LCS 2), left, USS Manchester (LCS 14), center, and USS Tulsa (LCS 16), right, sail in formation in the eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Shannon Renfroe)
Navy sailors often face restricted internet access during deployments for security reasons. However, senior enlisted leaders on the littoral combat ship Manchester secretly installed their own starlink system during a 2023 deployment, according to a Navy investigation.
Led by Command Senior Chief Grisel Marrero, the ship’s chiefs installed a Starlink satellite dish and created a network called “STINKY” for their exclusive use. This allowed them to stream movies and check sports scores while other sailors had limited connectivity.
The Navy has its own secure Starlink equipment called Starshield, which secures the connection and ensures equipment can’t be tracked by enemy warships. However, the 16 chiefs on this ship decided not to wait and instead tied an unsecured commercial antenna to a pallet topside.
The unauthorized system posed serious security risks. Marrero repeatedly lied to superiors about its existence and even falsified usage data when confronted. She was eventually convicted at court-martial and reduced in rank to E-7.
”This case upsets me deeply,” one senior Navy officer who works aboard LCS ships told gCaptain. “The senior enlisted Command Master Chief lies repeatedly to officers, falsified documents, and compromised the operational security of an entire ship, yet she barely got a slap on the wrist.”
Over 15 chiefs were involved in purchasing, installing and concealing the network. The investigation called it a “criminal conspiracy” that endangered the ship and crew. Those implicated received non-judicial punishment.
The scheme unraveled in August 2023 when a civilian contractor spotted the hidden Starlink dish. Marrero finally confessed after months of deception, telling the commanding officer she had misled her throughout the deployment.
Also Read: How Navy chiefs conspired to get themselves illegal warship Wi-Fi By Diana Stancy, Navy Times
Investigators highlighted the “egregious misconduct,” noting Marrero’s intelligence background and master’s degree should have made her aware of the risks. Her actions severely violated the trust placed in her as a senior leader, especially after the ship’s executive officer had been relieved.
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