Senior Chief Grisel Marrero, the former command senior chief of the littoral combat ship Manchester’s gold crew, was court-martialed for installing an unauthorized Wi-Fi system aboard the ship and subsequently lying about it. Marrero’s actions, which occurred between March and August 2023, raised concerns about operational security and leadership integrity within the Navy. She was convicted of willful dereliction of duty and making false official statements after coordinating the procurement, installation, and use of the unauthorized Wi-Fi system onboard.
Prior to her trial, Marrero was relieved of her leadership position aboard the Manchester due to a “loss of confidence” by Naval Surface Force Pacific (SURFPAC) officials. Marrero’s case is part of a larger pattern aboard the Manchester’s gold crew, as the Navy also ousted the second-in-command, Cmdr. Matthew Yokeley, in May 2023. Although SURFPAC stated that the reliefs were unrelated, details about Yokeley’s ouster remain undisclosed.
During her court-martial, Marrero pleaded guilty to willful dereliction of duty and making false official statements charges. She denied an obstruction of justice charge but was found guilty. Her actions included altering data usage records on a chief’s mess Starlink account to impede pending criminal or disciplinary actions against another Navy member. Additional disciplinary actions were taken against other sailors involved in the unauthorized Wi-Fi installation, although specific details were not provided by SURFPAC.
This case underscores the Navy’s commitment to upholding cybersecurity protocols and ensuring the integrity of its leadership. Unauthorized installations of Wi-Fi systems pose significant risks to operational security, and Marrero’s conviction highlights the consequences of such breaches within the military. The Navy’s swift response in disciplining those involved demonstrates its dedication to addressing and preventing similar incidents in the future.
