If a service member mentions the Brandon Act, that would be the safe phrase that would trigger a confidential referral for mental health treatment. Find out how your news organization can use Cronkite News content. He "treated his workers worse than garbage" and "like dogs. "The command disrespected him and they disrespected us," he said. This bill will allow service members to seek mental health treatment and require a mental health evaluation as soon as a service member self-reports. On it, he showers praise on Kenosha, Wisconsin shooter Kyle Rittenhouse, calls coronavirus a hoax, and makes allusions to the QAnon conspiracy. He put at least 17 miles a day on his bike and did this for about four years. It's hard to tell which version is accurate, but a text sent to Brandon's parents from a junior sailor on May 31, 2019 -- after the command learned that Military.com had made phone calls regarding the Casertas' allegations -- indicates a culture of fear at the squadron. But the investigating officer then recommended against mast, instead suggesting the aviation electrician's mate 1st class, or AE1, be transferred with a "declining" evaluation. Whitmer kidnap suspects don't want jury to hear comments in video Ron Watkins, of QAnon and 8chan infamy, launches AlienLeaks, Trump hotel purposely spiked prices to keep out QAnon supporters, hacked police data reveals, A strident anti-mask QAnon believer was accused of assaultnow she may win a seat on a local school board. An investigation found that leadership at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 in Norfolk, Virginia . But the jury returned several hours later to say they were still unable to reach a verdict on some counts. ", If they seek help, "People could be concerned about losing their security clearance, their place in the tribe, being flagged, being put on a profile, having someone remove their firearm privileges," Springer said. I'm getting paid to work out,' Teri remembered. Patrick Caserta says this statement means the command never had any intention of allowing his son to transfer ratings. He whipped around and started following me. I passed him. Please enter valid email address to continue. We appreciate the prosecutors and law enforcement officers for their work on this case.". The Tontitown father accused of holding down his son and forcibly piercing his ear is set to appear in court on May 22. All rights reserved. Caserta is one of five men facing federalconspiracy charges of plotting to kidnap Whitmer, largely fueled by anger over mask mandates and state restrictionson business and travel during the pandemic. An investigation found that leadership at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 in Norfolk,. Her husband was not only disallowed but also punished for seeking mental health treatment. After Casertas death, her husband sought mental health treatment. Could GhostEzra take QAnon to an even more disturbing level? "If you ask sailors in general why they wont speak out, theyll say that theyre afraid of retaliation," Clemons-Etheredge said. "Brandon was home for a few weeks [in May 2018] and he was happy, making plans for Christmas," said his father, Patrick Caserta, a retired Navy career counselor with 22 years of service. They volunteered. "We are all scared that we will get into trouble. Operational leaders, he said, should not rely on "the boot camp strategy of breaking people down to build them back up. The Casertas are so angry and distraught that they have offered a $25,000 reward to anyone who will come forward with information that "would lead to successful prosecution of individuals in their son's chain of command.". This is the first timeClemons-Etheredge has spoken publicly about the issues within the HSC-28 command. On Friday, a federal jury found him not guilty on the charge, which could have carried a sentence of life in prison. We can't bring Brandon back, but we focus our time and energy and we do this 24/7, Patrick Caserta said. His death was one of 325 suicides among active duty personnel that year, including 68 in the U.S. Navy. Closed now : See all hours. His parents and friends later discovered notes describing hazing and bullying from some members and leaders of his helicopter squadron. Im so f-----ready man. They serve our country. Acquitted defendant Caserta will not testify at Whitmer kidnap retrial Cmdr. But the investigation found something else: a leadership problem in HSC-28 that started with Caserta's lead petty officer. Fox's attorney, Christopher Gibbons, said Fox was a hapless man living in the basement of a Grand Rapids-area vacuum shop, smoking marijuana whenever possible and totally incapable of leading the wild plot. While military service was once considered a protective measure against suicide, military suicide rates have risen steadily in the years since 9/11, both among those who have deployed and those who have never deployed. Courtesy the Caserta Family Parents of sailor who died by suicide urge Pentagon to implement mental health measure named in his honor that became . When youre in the military, you have this part to play. Toxic command climate can most certainly trigger suicidal behavior.". Its a matter of life and death," Patrick Caserta said. Matsuda, the anthropologist, said that to truly address the problem of suicide in the armed forces, the services should consider toxic leadership when analyzing individual deaths. The Casertas are thankful that some progress has been made through passage of the Brandon Act, and that they have been able to honor their son with their efforts. 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Sure, he regretted breaking a leg at Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School two years before, an injury that forced him to drop out of training to become a SEAL, but he was a trouper nonetheless. Hills said Kaleb Franks and Ty Garbin, two other suspects who were charged with the same crimes but pleaded guilty earlier this year, acted too fast. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, here are some available resources: 2023 www.azcentral.com. More recently, the commanding officer of the cruiser Shiloh, Capt. Parents of sailor who died by suicide urge Pentagon to implement - CNN The Navy's suicide rate in 2018 was the highest it's ever been. Rep. Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts and a Marine Corps veteran, formally introduced the Brandon Act on June 16, a year after he found out about it. Monday Scramble: All eyes on Finau, Rahm in Mexico; all ears on McIlroy She is working for the Phoenix news bureau. He worked out with a great bunch of guys who he helped and pushed so they could get their contracts as well. David Covucci is the senior politics and technology editor at the Daily Dot, covering the nexus between Washington and Silicon Valley. Photos of Brandon Caserta decorate the Peoria home of his parents, Teri and Patrick. 2023 FOX Television Stations, issued a statement saying that the trial is normalizing political violence, DPD host walk to raise awareness on National Crime Victims Rights Week, WATCH - Jennifer Hammond was in Allen Park as the Lions introduced their 2023 first round picks, 'No Beef Zone in effect' by Detroit activists in Greektown to keep the peace. Brandon Caserta killed himself after a sustained period of being bullied and hazed. "HSC-28 wanted AEAN Caserta to be successful, and his leadership was actively engaged in helping him pursue his professional qualifications in support of his career goals," Hecht said. Caserta broke his collarbone while riding his bicycle, threatening his chance to make the move. And the social media for one of them, Brandon Caserta, is filled with right-wing misinformation and violent memes. Desperate for answers on their son's death, the Casertas reached out to Brandon's NCOs, the friends he left gifts and notes for and those he had spoken about in texts. He is particularly interested in hearing any tips you have. L-R: Brandon Caserta, Barry Croft, Adam Dean Fox, and Daniel Harris. Don't feel pressure to try to pull it all together just yet," U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker told jurors March 10. Teri and Patrick Caserta remember their son as a fun-loving, positive and hardworking kid. Friday morning, jurors sent a note to the judge saying they had reached agreement on several counts but were deadlocked on others. "They were trying to just keep him in the command and force him to deploy," he said. This extends past HSC-28. The LPO officer and some of his peers also didnt take to his happygo-lucky attitude, Patrick said. 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I just reach out and ask them, What can I do for you? And of course I have to tell Brandons story, she said. But the 21-year-old aircrew aviation electrician's mate striker, or AEAN, did confide to friends via text that he was depressed about BUD/S and unhappy with his rating, which he felt forced to choose from a limited selection after leaving the SEAL training pipeline. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ", Caserta continues: "And if you guys are going to give any of these mother f------a chance, any of thesegang, f------criminal a--government thugs that rob people every day;ifyou're even going to give them a second to try to speak or tell their story,don't even f--- me, dude. Dont let your loved one go without the emotional support they may need to survive. Editor's Note: This article contains a description of suicide. This is a tragic situation. Struggling in his assigned rating and facing disciplinary action within his command, Caserta left notes for his parents and friends before died by suicide on the flight line on June 25, 2018. He played flag football for about 10 years and graduated to tackle football. The men were arrested in October 2020 amid talk of raising $4,000 for an explosive that could blow up a bridge and stymie police after a kidnapping, according to trial evidence. For Caserta, though, facing a year or more under a toxic LPO in a rating he hated, getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and enduring a disciplinary board appeared to be too much. ", "There's no proof that strategy works," Matsuda said. In the case of Brandon, that (getting mental health help) was not an option, Kelly said. The Navy, they say, should find the toxic leadership of the LPO, and the subsequent failure of the command to stop the harassment of Caserta and other sailors, reprehensible. I mean we had volumes and hundreds and thousands of hours of recordings, and it just wasnt there. I got robbed again by the state. As for Fox and Croft, because the case against them has not been resolved, he said they would be remanded into custody. They have met with congressional staff of a dozen senators and representatives, including Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, to discuss the treatment they and Brandon received, request an independent investigation and promote efforts to prevent suicide linked to toxic leadership. I knew this kid, he was so young. In 2020, that number rose to 377. Here's How. The concerns they describe are similar to the stress and readiness issues determined to be a factor in the deadly collisions of the guided missile destroyers Fitzgerald and John S. McCain. Services also are available online at www.veteranscrisisline.net or by text, 838255. Here is whatprosecutors want the jury to hear, taken from this Oct. 7, 2020, clipof Caserta stating the following: "And I'm telling you what, right now, man. (Sen. Mark Kelly's staff/Sen. I'm sick of it. He knew what kind of parents we were. So, yeah, its been almost four years that thats what weve been doing.. Patrick Caserta said he and Teri will never get over the loss of theirchild,but passage of the Brandon Act it will help prevent deaths of other military members who are experiencing similar mental health issues. He was transferred out of HSC-28 two weeks after filing the complaint. Brandon Act, named for Brandon Caserta, meant to address suicide in the "[The lead petty officer]'s noted belligerence, vulgarity and brash leadership was likely a significant contributing factor in AEAN Caserta's decision to end his own life," the investigation states. An annual DOD report, released in September, showed rates for active duty service members alone went from 20.3 suicides per 100,000 members in 2015 to 28.7 in 2020, with increases across all branches. The Casertas are focused on the widespread issue of suicides in the military. He did not provide data regarding the unit's manning requirements or its current staffing. President Joe Biden, for those fortunate enough to have missed it, made a "Dark Brandon" joke Saturday night at the White House Correspondent's dinner. Moulton introduced similar legislation last year. You know? "Those who serve in the military are people like all of us, and they come in with different experiences, and the traumas that they have during their time in service are not just about the things they see and do during combat deployments," Springer said. Fox, along with Barry Croft, Jr., are both likely to face another trial as a verdict in their charges could not be reached. The proposal would trigger a referral for mental health treatment "as soon as practicable" once a service member mentioned that they needed help under the Brandon Act. Defense lawyers say the groups believedthat government had engaged in actions that were overreaching and unconstitutional, and that Caserta specifically believed the "stability of local and federal governments were eroding and civil unrest was tearing at the fabric of our country and being prepared for this unrest and governmental breakdown was essential.". The attorney said federal prosecutors needed more people to be charged along with Adam Fox. Except that Brandon Caserta didn't drive. David Hecht, the public affairs officer for Naval Air Force Atlantic, said the LPO was placed in a leadership position after his dismissal from another supervisory role because the Navy believes in leadership opportunities and second chances. Crystal Romero, the LULAC subcommittee chair for military and veterans affairs, said the main goal isto educate the civilian population to understand the problems our service members face on a daily basis.. Questions she's heard aboutthe Brandon Act include its vagueness, whether it's absolutely necessary, and whether the person's command should be removed from the process altogether, Romero said. Instead, he reached Caserta's maintenance master chief, who told him that "people in the squadron had to do two deployments because [Caserta] didn't have his quals.". But Brandon's father, and other sailors in the command, say the decision was made by a callous leadership cadre interested only in making mission and achieving the next rank. A Facebook page of his showcases his far-right bona fides. 2023 www.freep.com. Brandon would ride his bike everywhere. 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Hills also argues: "Brandon Caserta in these videos is upset and says some negative things regarding police officers that will undoubtedly offend many jurors. But another accident happened. After work, her husband retreated to his parents' house. 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They can say Hey, I have a Brandon Act issue, and theres no questions, no repercussions, they will be given initial counseling and treatment that they need.. (File photo by Brooke Newman/Cronkite News). All rights reserved. At one point, according to a military investigative report, a friend took Brandon to the chaplain for help with depression. The Casertas believe the command ordered a cessation of communications; the command investigation notes that most individuals decided to limit communications because it "wasn't helping the grieving process.". Don't even f--- with me. He was a great son, grandson, cousin and friend. As they learned more about the workings of the Capitol, Teri and Patrick grew more confident that the bill could be passed into law and scheduled more appointments for April 2020. And a senior chief went behind his back, calling the Bureau of Naval Personnel to prevent MacMillan from going to BUD/S. DOD 02/11/2019 Age 20 And in some cases, when folks do reach out, they dont get the necessary positive reaction, on the road to getting help. Newsletter: Video declaring the easiest job in the world goes viral, Fake TikTok of Boston Dynamics robot fighting racks up millions of views, FTC chair warns AI can turbocharge fraud and discrimination, *First Published: Oct 8, 2020, 11:29 am CDT, How South Carolina became a troubling new hub for QAnon. In four days, they mailed 700 letters to U.S. representatives and senators. He had applied for a transfer to the naval aircrewman rating and was accepted. With the jury deadlocked on charges against Adam Fox and Barry Croft, Jr.,the judge declared a mistrial on those counts. However, other videos of Caserta show him armed with a semi-automatic rifle wearing a shirt that says Fuck the Government.. I just remember him being really upset, Clemons-Etheredge said. Disabled Veterans Sign up for a Career Change. Caserta was among 13 men busted by the feds Thursday who planned to kidnap Whitmer and storm the Capitol building in Michigan in hopes of sparking a civil war. After the acquittal, Hills spoke briefly to the media outside of the federal courthouse in Grand Rapids and said the evidence was never strong enough for a conviction. He said Caserta never agreed to the alleged plot to kidnap Whitmer. They're dragging people along just trying to complete mission and chase their next rank.". In cases like Brandon Caserta's, Springer said, "military interdependence is critical. We cant bring him back. Military.com first reported on the tragedy in 2019. So, I know the occupational phenomenon that the command can absolutely burn you out, to make you quit. Or, if sailors do bypass normal routine and report straight to a mental health official, that mental health official has an obligation to tell their commanding officers. The charges against Adam Fox and Barry Croft, Jr. were declared "no verdict" and Judge James Jonker declared a mistrial on those counts. ", But an anonymous message sent to squadron commander Cmdr. These "toxic leaders," Matsuda concluded, can contribute to suicide decisions. Patrick Caserta seriously doubts that. This was no surprise. And theyre treated like this? He was only two weeks away from Hell Week, but the leg injury proved too debilitating. The tirades of Caserta's LPO were well known in the command. Heerstrasse 2A, 53859 Niederkassel, North Rhine-Westphalia Germany +49 2208 94800 Website Menu. Services also are available online atwww.veteranscrisisline.net or by text, 838255. The measure also mandates that the Department of Defense provide annual training on how to recognize when members may need a mental health evaluation. Peoria parents hope military mental health act spares others their pain They have resumed the fight this year. During a House Armed Services hearing on the Air Force budget Wednesday, Moulton said he is under "no delusions that the Brandon Act would solve all the military's suicide problems," but he called it "a step in the right direction.". Its unclear when the channel was taken down. While the bad leaders weren't wholly responsible for the suicides, they did help push the soldiers over the edge, he said. She believesthe Brandon Act isnecessary. I'm going to make this shit 100%clear, dude. Using a set of tweezers and creativity, Brandon constructed Star Wars characters such as BB-8. The bill passed Dec. 15, 2021. LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens, is also one of the sponsors of the Brandon Act bill. See 230 traveler reviews, 241 candid photos, and great deals for Clostermanns Hof, ranked #1 of 2 hotels in Niederkassel and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Sanderson points to the grand piano, the shelves filled with ammonite fossils, the high walls covered in wood and damask paneling, and his pice de rsistance: a . Brandon was in karate for 17 years. We have to turn in our phones, something happened, I cant talk about it, Clemons-Etheredge remembers her husband texting her. Among those is a plaque from the group Tribute to Fallen Soldiers. According to the Navys investigation, the treatment was likely a significant contributing factor in AEAN Caserta's decision to end his own life.. Gretchen Whitmer railed that President Trump was a tyrant and called all government workers your enemy.. Let this (expletive)go down bro. Brandon Hudson has more reaction after the court decision that found two suspects acquitted and two receiving a mistrial in the alleged plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer. He would drive the command's 18-person passenger van and no longer inconvenience any other sailors by requesting transportation to and from medical appointments for his re-rate application, according to several command counseling sheets. They are part of the problem," Matsuda said. His football coach called him the Energizer bunny.. Thanks for contacting us. "If someone is getting smoked, it doesn't make sense to keep that leader, that commander. ", More:Whitmer kidnap plot suspects face new charges: Weapons of mass destruction. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Brandon Act is coming for toxic leaders in the military "And when you have harassment, or bullying, what that does is it takes a person and singles them out, which makes that service member feel like they are not a core part of that tribe. Trump motion to declare mistrial in E. Jean Carroll lawsuit denied, U.S. to let Afghan evacuees renew temporary legal status, Tornado hits Virginia Beach, likely damaging hundreds of homes, First Republic Bank seized by regulators, then sold to JPMorgan Chase, Texas man who lost wife and son in shooting shares story, Supreme Court to hear case that could curb power of federal agencies, Mental health of LGBTQ youth worsening in current "hostile political climate", Waiter killed, woman wounded in shooting at popular New Orleans restaurant, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo found dead at 46, Partial verdict reached in Whitmer kidnapping plot trial. So they build a median that goes over to the right, on a one-lane road, so that you can goaround them. So if if, you know, ifif we're doing a recon or something and we come up on some of them, dude,you better not give them a chance. Brandon Caserta did get some help. Brown said he would support the idea or similar measures. Gretchen Whitmer (D). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. At the moment Brandon Caserta was making his final long walk out to the flight line, Patrick Caserta was on the phone with the command master chief, expressing concern for his son's welfare and telling him he planned to fly to Norfolk to take Brandon to base legal and the equal opportunity office to discuss his options. The trial is scheduled to resume Thursday in federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Creative Commons. Save. The USO, a nonprofit that supports military members and their families, notes that for active duty service members, theres an additional layer of potential stressors on top of the regular ups-and-downs of life that puts them at risk.. She has a niece in the Army and nephew in the Marines. Without support, what followed next broke him. Patrick Caserta recalled the passion Brandon had for building anything with his hands. He basically tasked us with changing the system, Teri said. For the most part, this strategy appears to work. Related: Military Deaths by Suicide Rose 25% at End of 2020. One chief petty officer with the unit was promoted to ensign after Caserta's death and another is on terminal leave. In the weeks leading up to Brandon Caserta's death, friends said little seemed amiss with the smiling sailor they knew from the "gedunk," or canteen, at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 out of Norfolk, Virginia. Review. Brandon Michael-Ray Caserta is a white man from Michigan, United States.
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