This is follow-up to a previous article I wrote on April 14, 2020: “Coast Guard Whistleblower”
I made a mistake when I submitted the post “Coast Guard Whistleblower.” In short, I took snippets of popular media articles (specifically Forbes, Forbes Part 2, Military, and Navy Times) and I watched members of Coast Guard specific Facebook Groups (specifically Coast Guard Veterans and Coast Guard Buddies) comment on those articles in sad but predictable ways. While my intentions were strong, I failed at getting to the heart of the matter, and I failed at aligning the goals of Dirty Sailor Company (Forecastle Lifestyle) with the happenings of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Kimberly Young-McLear.
In my earlier piece I chastised the officer for dividing the Coast Guard into groups based on uninteresting and outmoded features. In general, I really want us to acknowledge that we are in a post racial society, and that the Service that I love so much, that is the Coast Guard, operates at a level beyond the issues Young-Mclear brought to the table. While I never did, and I never would, accuse her of making false accusations or prematurely over-stepping her Chain of Command, I did accuse her of being unnecessarily divisive. I was wrong.
The articles I read were short and to the point. But they were summaries, and “the point” they concluded showed only a tiny selection of the many points to be made. There are multiple videos and public documents that show a comprehensive review of this case. The point I was affronted by was an out of context quote published by Forbes where Young-McLear was quoted as saying “The primary demographics of people who experience toxic work environments in the Coast Guard are ethical people who speak up, LGBTQ+, Women, People of Color, Black people.” My original article attacked her on this quote, saying it divided Coast Guardsmen into White Men and Non-whites. I’m thankful I was encouraged to look deeper into the matter.
What Young-McLear has stated the entire time is that there is a toxic culture in the Coast Guard, and certain Coast Guard Leadership roles are in a position to ignore this toxicity and they do. Her qualm is not with any group of people. Her original qualm is with the unfair treatment she received, which then was exasperated by a failure by Coast Guard leadership to make amends – the Coast Guard even denied wrong doing. Young-McLear was in a position to sit down and shut-up. But that’s what most of us do. On the one hand (a) she knew she was being mistreated, and on the other hand (b) she knew that if she continued to push the Coast Guard to acknowledge her issue that she would risk her career and personal network.
I believe that many would call this an ethical dilemma. This would be an incorrect observation. An Ethical Dilemma is defined as a predicament where an individual or organization must choose between two unethical outcomes, and the choice is required. Young-McLear’s decision was not an Ethical Dilemma, she was forced to choose between wrong and right-at-the-expense-of-her-psychological-health. It was a choice between (a) what’s easy and (b) what’s right. Young-McLear chose the “What’s Right” path. Judging by her current attitude, to voluntarily work “with survivors, whistleblowers, and advocacy groups to shed light on the inequities within the military and highlighting the bravery of anyone that has the moral courage to do what is right,” I’d say that Young-McLear chose the right path for more than just her own gratification. She chose this path as a leader – the type of leader we need in the military.
In a position at the Coast Guard Academy, Young-McLear had an opportunity to show Coasties everywhere that the Command is not above the law. She used her determination, her intelligence, and her courage to overcome an improbable obstacle and in doing so she’s set an example we should all take note of. Regardless of intimidation, we must stand up for what’s right, for what we see in ourselves. Regardless of corrupt investigations, cruel reporting and unjustified criticism, there is a Coast Guard out there that is better, and it’s up to the men and women of the Coast Guard to brave the storm to find it.
In short, Young-McLear’s story is not about division, not even close. It’s about solitary in a fight against injustice. Her case may have begun in the realm of civil rights, where minorities struggle constantly for equity, though it’s conclusion is in the realm of military ethics, where even the most senior personnel have no legal or moral position to silence the rights of the lower ranks.
We owe a salute to Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Kimberly Young-McLear for her struggles on our behalf.
– Bradley Angle
I woud love to hear from you about this case and/or this article. Comment below for the public to see… The Coast Guard is hemorraging as we speak, it’s loosing its workforce through Other Than Hornorable discharges, medical seperations and poor retention rates (despite CG Public Affairs claims). What is wrong in the Coast Guard? Does the Young-McLear Case provide us evidence for underlying issues? You can also reach me at bradley@dirtysailorcompany.com for a private line of communication. Cheers!
