When will the Coast Guard acknowledge its toxic culture and take responsibility for the pattern of suffering its young enlisted members are experiencing? Unfortunately for Ethan Tucker, it doesn’t look like anytime soon.
There are a lot of articles and press releases on the story of Ethan Tucker, his murder charge, and the death of Ethan Kelch. But I wonder if the complete story will be published(?). I believe the Ethan Kelch and Tucker story should be a moment of clarity for the Coast Guard. This is the time for leadership to step forward and acknowledge the toxic culture which it knows exist. The Tucker-Kelch tragedy is not a new narrative. Of course, the ending is horrific, but the story is the same as hundreds of Coasties before them.
I’ve climbed Bollyhoo mountain, underage, drunk on Aristocrat Vodka, under-clothed in the brutal winds and ice, laughing at my also-under-age counterpart and shipmate. I’ve hid in the bunkers on that mountain, hoping to get warm, pee, and admire the USCG graffiti sprayed everywhere (#722life). There isn’t one Coast Guard non-rate, who’s been to the Aleutian Islands, who doesn’t know the pressure to debauch. The stories and photos from superiors, about the Elbow Room (no longer there), and grand hotel, the bars full of Coast Guard paraphernalia (just google it)… Getting “shwasted” in Dutch Harbor is a right-of-passage for sailors in general, and for Coasties specifically. After a dorky crossing-the-line ceremony, and a slap-in-the-face Cinderella Liberty order, how could one not look for some sense of challenge, freedom, or sea-story? That is what Coasties do on that island. They rush from the fuel pier to the liberty van with gusto. Their goal is to soak in the land as fast as possible, and to make their deployment worth a story – beyond scenic shorelines and vast monstrous seas.
Ethan Tucker may be guilty of killing his “best bud,” though I doubt it. Regardless of my doubt, and regardless of the truth of this incident, there lies a story here that needs to be told. Life on an underway 378’ cutter in Alaska is full of classic sea-going inactivity, substance abuse, and debauchery. The Coast Guard has a long history of hiding these facts. The giant berthing area brawls, the sex scandals, the masts, the suicide threats and attempts, the Coast Guard Cocaine ring in Kodiak in Feb of 2019, and the countless selfies taken from atop Amaknak Island are all evident if one looks. The publicized reports of substance abuse, depression and suicide in the Coast Guard are at our disposal. The stories of CG veterans involved in tragic and heinous activities are at the click of a button. 21st century stories about Coast Guard Captains being publicly flogged, non-rates reporting hazing, and officers pushing child-molestation-humor are available on Amazon (A. Ladson Mills, The Destruction of Coast Guard Captain Ernie Blanchard; B. Stephanie I. M. Steinmetz, The Study of a Secret Society: Resistance to Open Discussion of Suicide in the United States Coast Guard; C. my own, Shipmates, Before the Mast).
So, as you read your way through Ethan’s trial. Remember that all of us are products of our environments to a significant degree. While environment is certainly not the only predictor of behavior, and it’s not an excuse for behavior either, it is a major factor in behavior. And with this knowledge, the Coast Guard needs to take responsibility here (along with Ethan Tucker) and take corrective action (sorry, flogging your crew is not corrective action, neither is doubling down on prohibition).
There are a number of steps I believe the Coast Guard could take, which you can find throughout my blog. “Huzzah for Otaheite” is the calling of Men who need to satisfy their human drive. Flogging is the action of Command who ignores, misunderstands, or downplays those same drives.
I hope Ethan Tucker is innocent. We should all feel for the guy as he struggles at this very moment with the whirlwind of emotions and memories he must certainly be experiencing. I’ve been slammed drunk on Dutch Harbor, in the frozen barren grasses and rocks there. It was only a matter of time for me before I did something horrible, or witnessed something horrible, or searched for a sea-story. I’m thankful my time never came, and me and my friends escaped relatively unscathed. I see my shipmates and myself in the Ethan Tucker story (even if the story is accurately about the murder of a best friend in an insane drunken rampage). The funny (not-so-funny) part of this story is, that if Kelch was indeed a rampant buffoon when he drank hard liquor (as many of us are, and as people have apparently testified he was), and he did attempt to dive into the January waters of Dutch Harbor, for ANY drunk reason, and Tucker attempted to save him through bouts of physical struggle, Tucker would be a hero by CG standards. Ethan’s next appearance before the mast is set for December 9, 2019. Let’s hope the authority there is honest, and knowledgeable about where behavior derives.
Bradley Angle
About the Author
I served aboard a 378’ cutter at the turn of the century, and I made at least two deployments to Alaska during that time. From the rolling hills of Virginia, that experience was significant for me, there is no doubt…
I did one tour at the MSD. When the 378s pulled into port it was time to stay home. It was embarrassing going out to the bar and there are drunk Coasties all over the place. A LT on the Healy had his guys playing roller hockey and their visits to Dutch included some fun games of hockey. His guys were top notch and they were lucky to have an LT like that.
I find your take on the Coast Guard unfortunate. I am also a product of the mid atlantic and two tours on a 378 in the Pacific. The Coast Guard had nothing to do with any of the bad judgement I displayed when I was younger. I was responsible for my own actions, I knew right from wrong and if anything the Coast Guard discourages bad behavior. Most people are not immune from being young and dumb, do unfortunate things happen, yes but I know of no way to prevent that without infringing on your rights as a human being. Trying to blame the tragic events on the Coast Guard is unjust and I say this as one who was a young and dumb non rate and a Chief at one time. By the grace of God I am still around. I am responsible for my own actions. If this young man is innocent I hope he is found that way, if he is guilty of wrong doing he made that choice by himself.
I’ve been to every part of Alaska while serving in the Coast Guard. Liberty in Alaska is unique, being swooped up in the giant Bering Sea and exploring Majestic Snow Cap Mountains and having a beverage at your local favorite watering hole all Coast Guard traditions which in themselves is not wrong. I use to give my crews the talk before going on liberty. Act professional, be a leader, if you consume to much alcohol call it a night. I always preferred going to a nice restaurant over a loud watering hole. Leadership doesn’t stop at the brow, the senior person in every liberty party is responsible for good order and discipline. I was both the MAA and CEA aboard a 378 and the Chiefs mess is responsible for keeping good order and discipline in both the mess desk and wardroom. Going to sea has a certain mystic, however getting drunk and disorderly and embarrassing yourself and the Coast Guard is not acceptable.
In such a connected society that we live in today, we can be so disconnected and feel alone. Yes, many people drink or abuse drugs because they are bored or due to peer pressure. However, some do it because they are hurting and they want a reprieve, even if for a short while, from the pain. I suffered from anxiety and depression for the majority of my Coast Guard career. Despite saying there would not be reprisal for admitting it and getting help, I could not bring myself to do so until the last few years when it had gotten so bad I wanted to end my life. Even then, the suicidal thoughts and ideation was not mentioned when I got help due to the possible repercussions. Having a security clearance and the knowledge what would probably happen if those thoughts were brought up kept me from admitting to anyone (command, chaplain, wife, friends) that the pain I was going through was that real.
This is a long post to say that mental health and the fear of repercussions for admitting it, is a BIG reason, in my opinion, for many issues the Coast Guard faces today.
Unless things have changed in the past 15 years, being drunk and disorderly (or any kind of alcohol incident) put a mark on your record…and 2 such events saw you ushered out of the Coast Guard. When THAT was first instituted, it was a big break from the traditional ship’s parties which almost required crawling up the gangway. Encouraging drinking binges has not been part of the CG environment for a long time. There were traditional hazing rituals for crossing the date line and arctic circles, and I’m not sure if they still occur (though probably tampered down from the past). You seem to feel like you’re in touch with the current norms of the worst part of the CG? In my time the CG reflected the values of society at that time. Marijuana and other drug use was known, and kind of tolerated if you showed up “sober” unless a pee test revealed its use. Your accusation of drug use and other incidents is the new norm in our society. What I don’t particularly like is the small percentage of such incidents that make it sound like it is rampant and happening on a daily basis. Every unit has its problem children, because let’s face it, many times a big chunk of the crew are kids away from home for the first time. Ultimately each of us is responsible for ourselves. Leadership can only do so much…
“Good Judgement comes from experience…….trouble is much of that is bad.” Life is what it is. Addiction issues can be exacerbated by peer pressure and freedom to let it run wild. If your lucky you realize you want more out of life than a hangover and blurry memory of a wild tale. This sailor snuggled and continued to struggle many years after. Lucky I eventually saw the light but so many years wasted. No one could tell me I had to make that decision on my own.
I have done two TDY’s on the HEALY as a TCT (risk management) facilitator and have been to most all of the Alaskan ports. Dutch Harbor is an interesting port. Wild beauty, the most amazing eclectic ship’s supply store I’ve ever been in, a few bars, two museums, and standing around watching a wood pallet bonfire is just about the whole experience. Other than the individuals who went to the hotel to get a good sleep, most everyone went on liberty in groups and kept out of trouble. If someone had too much to drink, a shipmate or three would make sure they got back OK and without incident. That is TCT in action. We look out for each other. There is no reason for anyone to fail because a shipmate should notice and step in before it becomes serious. Yes, there is a sometimes delicate balance is deciding what is fun, blowing off steam, or stupid dangerous. Age, experience and rank helps and matters. The larger groups had the most fun without incidents because we looked out for each other. The ones who went out in ones and twos sometimes had self regulation issues. But, often, that is why they didn’t go with the group. Being loud was usually the worst that happened. I’ve walked a shipmate or two back to the ship or, when lucky, the liberty van. Having civilian scientists onboard means everyone is on their best behavior. So, I understand some sophomoric behavior no different than first time away from home college freshmen. I want to believe he is innocent and frankly, his story sounds very plausible. But, I haven’t seen all the evidence. What I have seen is a fear some of the leadership have of appearing too easy in matters of discipline. I personally know of two enlisted losing rank and an Auxilarist kicked out because an “off color” joke was told and not stopped at a small boat station. The complaint came from a SN who was being discharged from the CG. I know one alcohol incident caused the end of all alcohol being served during Coast Guard Day service wide. Fear of what others might think should not be a part of discipline. Nor should punish the entire group over the actions if one. Discipline should be fair, equally applied, and measured. I understand it is difficult to admit an error once it is moving up the chain but, IMO, that is what differentiates the great leader from the one that just wants to slide by unnoticed. Under the radar. I pray that the members involved in the upcoming trial are great leaders and courageous enough to see the evidence as it is and not how the civilian media might wish it to be. If innocent, say so. If guilty, say so. If he is innocent, I cannot begin to imagine the emotions of being accused by your CG family of the murder of your best friend. How alone that might feel.
“If you have what it takes take the CG.” We took a lot from many of the personalities. You have a sycopath a grade above you your screwed. You best be tough or your not going to take it.
This is 2019. May God give the SN strength so he has what it takes. His best bet is just tell the truth. Only person that can help him now is his lawyer. It is sad this happened on his watch.
Often a superior planing something fun and healthy is all it takes. My role model was a JG, who pulled me out of the weeds, though, not everyone is lucky enough to find a role model. Thanks man!
I am pointing to specific documentation of abnormal levels of negative behavior in the Coast Guard. If one accepts the premise that environment effects behavior, then we should follow that environment should be consider when examining why someone behaved the way they did.
You say “by the grace of God I am still around,” and while I disagree with your sentiment, your argument here is that something external to you (the grace of God) allows your current behavior (being around). So it sounds like you agree that behavior is effected by environment. A look into the Coast Guard leadership is due.
Leadership is key. We owe it to our youth to set examples. But I disagree with you, there are hundreds of news articles, personal stories on social media, and government and private studies that show “getting drunk and disorderly and embarrassing yourself and the Coast Guard is not acceptable,” the sources I mention show it is the status quo. My experience says its the status quo. The men and women who are discharged under UTH conditions, who are in jails and gutters, or who died with psychotic suffering all say its the status quo…. As the article points to, there is a bell curve on these things. Of course people have a rainbow experience, though a vast majority have a struggling experience, and then there the opposite side of the curve, which when compared to similar organizations, is far more toxic than one should expect…. But yeah, your point is appreciated, leadership continues beyond the brow! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. It’s hard to talk about these things for many reasons. One being the fear of repercussions. I too suffered in the Coast Guard, and now over a decade later I am finding many of my shipmates did too. We drank to overcome our struggles. It was pushed on us. And we laughed as we struggled and staggered around…. I love the Coast Guard, but it needs to fix this issue. There is no reason for so many stories of distress from within.
Hey thanks. Lot’s of underling questions here: I’ll do my best. I’m trying to point not to a small percentage, but to a percentage that when compared to like-organizations is high… When you say that every unit has its problem children, the systematic view of this is take in group dynamics – within every group there is a spectrum of behavior. Once again, to best talk about these things we must have a base line. Within a military organization, specifically an operational unit, the baseline must be set against similar industries and organizations, which is tough, but doable. We know that the Coast Guard has high stress, anxiety, and depression rates compared to other organizations, couple this with high substance abuse rates and the result can be anticipated, and we see it in the data (go to my article for links).
I do consider myself to be in touch with current norms of the Coast Guard. I have a strong network that is currently in the CG, I follow the news closely and professionally, and I am actively collecting information for a story on a ship I used to serve on, where there were a handful of suicide and rape events, over a dozen alcohol related events, and a specific superior who is known across the guard for his hurricane of a personality (since forced to retire). The Kelch story is of great interest to me for this reason. All of the stories of Coast Guardsmen having a hard time are of an interest to me. My goal is to promote change, because I do think I can prove it’s an organizational problem, not a personnel one…
And finally, “ultimately each one is responsible for our actions.” I don’t see how I could disagree with you here. I agree more than ever. Society cannot benefit if we allow negative action to go without resistance. And while I agree, it doesn’t change the fact that environment (among other things) promotes behavior. The Coast Guard had control of this environment, and if you follow the news, you may agree it was just a matter of time before someone else lost their life… Tucker needs to be held accountable for whatever his actions were, though we need to have compassion, because of the conditions his mental capacity were operating under, given his environment. And even though a focus should be on Tucker, a focus should be on CG leadership as well.
Thanks again for the time you took to respond. I suspect the CG will figure this out. It’s done a great job in the past, and it will again.
Thanks for this. I hope that in addition to the Tucker trial, the Coast Guard puts itself on trial, and it would be great if the public could witness it all. And like you insinuate, hopefully justice prevails.
Thanks for your thoughts. I think we can be better, in 2019, to manage group culture. 378’s are enclosed spaces, doing the same types of missions for six decades. The way they are managed should be finely tuned by this point, though the stories suggest otherwise.
It shouldn’t be up to some bearded man in the sky to give this guy strength, it should be up to good men to set good examples… And no, there are tons of people that can help. We can show support, kindness, and push the organization to take initiatives to seek justice for Kelch and Tucker, and stand up for the future of the men and women of the Coast Guard.
Prayers for Ethan, a brother, friends and hero <3
Thank you Bradley, we need for writers like you to changes the world, as a young teen you are truly inspiring and I appreciate your stand against this case