youtube.com You NEED to Pay Attention to This! Peoria parents hope military mental health act spares others their pain Aircrew Aviation Electrician's Mate Striker Brandon Caserta, 21 died by suicide on June 25, 2018. Caserta's was one of three in Norfolk-based helicopter squadrons in the first half of the year alone. "But, you know, all too often the military in these cases just interviews the circle of command, not the circle of trust. I'm sick of being robbed and enslaved by the state, period. When he said he wanted to join (the SEALs), I'm not gonna say we weren't happy, but it was just shocking, Patrick Caserta said. 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. ", This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They told him that he needs to suck it up and that he was fine.. Just because I had a bad experience doesnt mean the military is bad. 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 wasa tireless athlete. "It's a bit like the Catholic Church and the sex abuse scandal," he added. OK? That's what it's going to be, dude, becausethey are the f------ enemy, period.". That, and the fact that his dad served in the Navy for 22 years, were major factors in Brandon applying to the Navy SEALs after his senior year at Sunrise Mountain High School in Peoria. For the most part, this strategy appears to work. Hecht said HSC-28 required Caserta to get his qualifications because in the Navy, to be recommended for any special program, including aircrew transition, "the expectation is that sailors are excelling in their current positions and meeting all the necessary requirements.". 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. He then donned a pair of sunglasses, bringing to life an . ", "In the military service, members form a tribe with those who they serve with," Springer said. The agency also added suicide prevention to its firearm safety training and says its working with young service members to improve problem-solving and coping skills. Acquitted defendant Caserta will not testify at Whitmer kidnap retrial And theyre treated like this? ". "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. Brandon Caserta is seen in this military photo. Photos of Brandon Caserta decorate the Peoria home of his parents, Teri and Patrick. Navy policy states that the command should provide round-trip travel and allowances to family members to attend a command memorial service. Three of the men also faced weapons charges. He would tell us things, but it was 100 times worse than he would tell us, Patrick Caserta said. DETROIT (FOX 2) - An attorney for Brandon Caserta, one of two men who were found not guilty on all charges on Friday in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, says that the. Jurors reached a partial verdict Friday in the case of four men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 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. All rights reserved. Im proud to represent Brandons parents, Patrick and Teri Caserta, who live in my district, and work with them on this important bipartisan legislation in honor of their son, fallen U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Brandon Caserta.. We weren't able to promote awareness like we wanted to, Patrick Caserta said. Earlier in April, the Casertas joined U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., members of Arizona State University ROTC and representatives of the ASU Pat Tillman Veterans Center for a panel discussion about the Brandon Act, which became law as part of the larger defense measure in December. Brandon Caserta biography: 13 things about Canton, Michigan man According to the unsigned message provided by both Patrick Caserta and included in the command investigation, the LPO called subordinates his "bitches" and referred to the chiefs behind their backs as "douchebags" and "dumbasses." "You have not performed your required duties as a watchstander (duty driver) like your peers and superiors since your assignment to HSC-28 due to the fact that you stated you are not a licensed driver. "When he returned from detachment, he was counseled on leadership techniques, ways to improve his demeanor with junior sailors and given another opportunity to lead," Hecht said. The LPO remains at a unit in Norfolk. I mean, they locked me out of my office. Lawyers for Harris and Caserta emphasized that neither man went to Elk Rapids with Croft and Fox to surveil Whitmer's home. Im f-----ready dude. Without accountability, extremists will be emboldened," said the statement by Whitmer's chief of staff, JoAnne Huls. 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. With the jury deadlocked on charges against Adam Fox and Barry Croft, Jr.,the judge declared a mistrial on those counts. But the investigation found something else: a leadership problem in HSC-28 that started with Caserta's lead petty officer. They are being held in U.S. marshals'. An investigation found that leadership at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 in Norfolk, Virginia . And these are the guys who are actually doing it. To reprint or license this article or any content from Military.com, please submit your request, His Suicide Note Was a Message to the Navy. If this whole thing, you know, startsto happen;I'm telling you what, dude, I'm taken out as many of those m----- ------s (expletive) as I can. Brandon was in karate for 17 years. The Brandon Caserta Foundation - Facebook Rodrguez currently also works at Arizona PBS. Military.com first reported on the tragedy in 2019. Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were acquitted on all counts: On Count 1: Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping: Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were both found NOT GUILTY. From the very first day he arrived there, Teri Caserta told the audience at the ASU event, they call them a BUD/S dud. BUD/S is shorthand for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. Reach out at [emailprotected]. Brandon Caserta is mad, not at the governor, but at the police for giving him tickets and taking his money," Caserta's lawyer, Michael Hills, argues in court documents. He deserves to save lives. Operational leaders, he said, should not rely on "the boot camp strategy of breaking people down to build them back up. And I see the need for change. He was always smiling, no matter what, Patrick Caserta said. The Warning Signs of Suicide and What to Do, Former MCPON Bawled Out Staff, Made Sailors Fetch Coffee, publicly berated and humiliated his staff and treated aides like servants, deadly collisions of the guided missile destroyers Fitzgerald and John S. 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Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were both found not guilty. Using a set of tweezers and creativity, Brandon constructed Star Wars characters such as BB-8. If this were the case for Brandon, he would still be alive today," Moulton said. ", "And guess what? "I believe Franks got scared, and rightfully so.". 85 reviews #3 of 21 Restaurants in Niederkassel $$$$ European Contemporary Central European. They are part of the problem," Matsuda said. A man accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. He enlisted at age 17 with dreams of becoming a Navy SEAL. Parents of sailor who died by suicide urge Pentagon to implement - CNN The words could easily be attributed to a sailor angry at the system, unhappy with himself and frustrated with life. In a TikTok posted Wednesday, Caserta is shown wearing a Hawaiian shirt, which could be a signifier of the Boogaloo Boys, a militia bent on starting a second civil war. Back at the squadron, he was sent to anger management classes and reassigned as LPO over Brandon and other junior sailors under a new chief petty officer "as a leadership challenge.". I got robbed again by the state. As you know, weve got a high rate of suicide in the veteran community and active duty. "Adam Fox is usually impaired. The LPO officer and some of his peers also didnt take to his happygo-lucky attitude, Patrick said. Lawyers have signaled an entrapment defense, claiming the men were cajoled by undercover FBI agents and zealous, greedy informants. The Brandon Act would have saved Brandons life, Patrick said. Our mission is to stop the suicide epidemic in the Armed Forces. Denitza James also works as a subcommittee chair for LULAC. 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. But the jury returned several hours later to say they were still unable to reach a verdict on some counts. Brandon was very athletic and took karate, swimming, football and track. 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. Prosecutors rest their case in Whitmer kidnapping trial - WILX His new role: electrician's mate for a Navy aircrew. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "I want to see as many people fired, kicked out or, at the very least, lose rank," he wrote. He was a great son, grandson, cousin and friend. Romero,a former platoon sergeant in the Army,retired after 17 years of service. DOD 02/11/2019 Age 20 Many want . The FBI on Thursday announced it had arrested five men and charged six in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Feds: Whitmer kidnap suspect doesn't want public to hear God gave him OK, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. As the platoons substance abuse and drug coordinator for a command stationed in New Mexico, many soldiers were coming to her with drug problems, asking her if they could be sent to rehab. Valeria Rodrguez expects to graduate in May 2024 with a masters degree in mass communication. Since Brandon's death, his parents Teri and Patrick have fought for legislation that would protect service members who feel abandoned by their leaders and need help. Hecht said the memorial service was scheduled to allow the maximum number of unit members to attend and that the family was given "advanced notice." "The jury, even though they didnt get all of it, they smelled enough of it," he said. MacMillan finally filed a Naval Inspector General complaint against the command after another issue arose: He requested to remain at the squadron and not go out on a detachment when his wife fell ill and he needed to support her and his two girls, a toddler and an infant. The Daily Dot has reached out to Facebook as to why. Courtesy the Caserta Family Parents of sailor who died by suicide urge Pentagon to implement mental health measure named in his honor that became . The suicide rate has steadily increased in the armed forces in the past four years: in 2019, the rate was 25.9 per 100,000 active duty members, up from 24.9 per 100,000 in 2018 and 21.9 per 100,000 in 2017. "He didnt get to see the discovery of how, what a predator (FBI agent) Dan Chapel was and what a predator (FBI informant) Jason Chambers was to these folks," Hills said. Kolata, who served in the Navy for 15 years, suffered from mental health issuesbut was afraid of telling her command. It was the worst year for suicides since the service began tracking them closely after Sept. 11, 2001. We've received your submission. 2023 www.freep.com. Brandon did not like swimming at all at first but then he learned the breast stroke and that was his favorite stroke. When youre in the military, you have this part to play. So, yeah, its been almost four years that thats what weve been doing.. As commanding officer of the cruiser Cowpens, she was relieved in 2010 for demeaning and humiliating crew members, exploding with fury and a seemingly bottomless trough of expletives in tirades aimed at subordinates. According to the indictment, Caserta wasa member of the Michigan-based militia group, Wolverine Watchmen," whose members were also were affiliated with the Three Percenter group a similar anti-government outfit. The Brandon Act is designed to protect service members who experience mental health emergencies and reduce the stigma around reporting. But they don't talk about harassment, bullying. 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. The stalked and surveilled Whitmer in an effort to help violently overthrow the government. Kelly said he doesnt expect a lot of resistance to the Brandon Act. CLOSTERMANNS HOF $79 ($127) - Prices & Hotel Reviews - Tripadvisor "The governor remains focused on her work on behalf of Michigan and all Michiganders. Brandon Act to Change DoD Mental Health Policy, Pay Tribute to Fallen Four years ago, the 21-year-old Navy petty officer third class killed himself on the flight line at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. It sucks that telling the truth will make things bad for [anyone] who speaks up," the sailor wrote. ", "It was awful," the sailor said. In fact, his parents Patrick and Teri said he had a phobia and hadn't been behind the wheel since taking a driver's course. But we were tasked with the simplicity that other parents face: Either you are against it and when he's 18, he joins anyway, or you support him and give him everything he needs to succeed, and we chose that route. Its a matter of life and death," Patrick Caserta said. 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 climate [at the unit] was just go, go, go, do, do, do, we'll worry about any personal stuff later," MacMillan said. Since her husband told her about the HSC-28 command, Clemons-Etheredge joined Mission 22 as a crisis and trauma counselor. Closed now : See all hours. 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.". According to the government, the video captures defendant Brandon Caserta expressing frustration with law enforcement and government, and allegedlyinstructing his coconspirators"that if they encounterpolice during a reconnaissance, "they should give the officers one opportunity to leave, and kill them if they did not comply.. Today, a statue of an angel faces the peak, marking the place where his ashes were spread. The attorney said federal prosecutors needed more people to be charged along with Adam Fox. "There's one lead petty officer who is pretty good. Editor's Note: This article contains a description of suicide. L-R: Brandon Caserta, Barry Croft, Adam Dean Fox, and Daniel Harris. 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. They deserve to get it," said Patrick Caserta. Indeed, she didnt know about any supposed plan, of course, until after the government filed its case," defense lawyers argue, adding: "Potential jurors, especially women jurors, are likely to feel an emotional reaction" to such exhortations. But we must be honest about what it really is: the result of violent, divisive rhetoric that is all too common across our country. And a senior chief went behind his back, calling the Bureau of Naval Personnel to prevent MacMillan from going to BUD/S. The defense argues this video is " irrelevant,""unfairly prejudicial," and "has nothing to do with kidnapping the Governor.". In Norfolk, Brandon was bullied and hazed. President Biden Brings Dark Brandon to Life in Zinger-Filled WHCA Casertas alleged views surface amid Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Whitmer both blaming Trump for inspiring the sick scheme, as they claim he failed to denounce white supremacy and extremism in the US. This is more than an advocacy thing. 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. Suicides have risen since then. Brandon Caserta killed himself after a sustained period of being bullied and hazed. Hills said that the jury recognized that there wasn't enough to convict, even if they didn't everything. Caserta is one of five men facing federal conspiracy charges of plotting to kidnap Whitmer, largely fueled by anger over mask mandates and state restrictions on business and travel during the. The Brandon Act is coming for toxic leaders in the military ", In the last weeks of Caserta's life, his parents became so concerned about his welfare that his father called the command, hoping to speak with the command master chief. There must be accountability and consequences for those who commit heinous crimes. He helped so many of his friends and was very supportive and compassionate. Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were acquitted on all counts: On Count 1: Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping: Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were both found NOT GUILTY. 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. I am the living version of Brandon Caserta, I am a living testament to the retaliation and harassment he faced, Romero said. Patrick Caserta says this statement means the command never had any intention of allowing his son to transfer ratings. Southwest captain forced to lend his shirt to passenger wi Woman has 'loud, full body orgasm' in the middle of LA concert, $76K NJ boarding school admits falling 'tragically short' in protecting teen who killed self after bullying, 'rapist' taunts, Georgia player under fire after racist remark during 2023 NFL Draft on livestream, Sydney Sweeney, fianc Jonathan Davino match in leather amid Glen Powell drama, Celebrities step out in NYC ahead of Met Gala 2023, Kim Kardashian wears cleavage dress to officiate Chris Appletons wedding, NY Post Sports Reporter Zach Braziller breaks down the Knicks game 1 loss to the Heat, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, Kendall Jenner rocks sheer top, fur mini skirt for date night with Bad Bunny. U.S. military hasn't implemented measure to help service members seek Brandon Caserta was one of two acquitted of a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Now $79 (Was $127) on Tripadvisor: Clostermanns Hof, Niederkassel. Don't even f--- with me. Were just two parents trying to make a difference. It gets ingrained, Kolata said. We dont have a magic wand, and were not telling them anything they probably shouldnt already know, said Patrick, who spent 22 years in the Navy. ", "There's no proof that strategy works," Matsuda said. "My take is they needed somebody to accompany Fox because Fox is a joke by himself so they needed the Wolverine Watchmen to give it credibility. Learn More About Macoy. I'm getting paid to work out,' Teri remembered. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Dont let your loved one go without the emotional support they may need to survive. 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. If a service member mentions the Brandon Act, that would be the safe phrase that would trigger a confidential referral for mental health treatment. Toxic leadership has even permeated the highest ranks of the service: Giordano retired the week Caserta killed himself, following an inspector general investigation into his bullying and verbally abusive behavior toward subordinates and staff. He asked for help many times. Maricopa County Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 1-800-631-1314 or 602-222-9444. https://www.azahcccs.gov/BehavioralHealth/crisis.html, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. That proposal, named for their only child, is part of the new National Defense Authorization Act. "They made him work in gedunk for a year. The chiefs conducted a search of the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles website and found that Caserta had once held a valid driver's license. He pressed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown for his support and added that the Defense Department does not favor the proposal. This is the first timeClemons-Etheredge has spoken publicly about the issues within the HSC-28 command. Seven of the defendants were linked to a militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen. ", They are, the directive states, a combination of "self centered attitudes, motivations, and behaviors that have adverse effects on subordinates, the organization, and mission performance.". ", Hecht said that after the lead petty officer's initial counseling, "no concerns meriting his removal from his position were ever brought to the awareness of HSC-28's leadership. I'm going to make this shit 100%clear, dude. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. And in some cases, when folks do reach out, they dont get the necessary positive reaction, on the road to getting help. "Just shuffle the toxic leaders off to another place.". He always found and saw the good in people. His football coach called him the Energizer bunny.. Stepping into Brandons old bedroom, it immediately becomes apparent how much he loved to build, from the Lego sets he made with his father to the metal figures the size of ones hand that he built as he got older. Then, three weeks into SEALstraining, Brandon broke his leg. Recommend Disciplinary Review Board," stated his counseling record from June 22, 2018. When Brandon started SEAL training in San Diego, he excelled. "They aren't leading anymore. He worked out with a great bunch of guys who he helped and pushed so they could get their contracts as well. Brandon Sanderson on Building a Fantasy Empire, Wheel of Time Series That includes addressing violence and threats to our democracy. (Photo by Madeline Bautista/Cronkite News). The Brandon Act is a step in the right direction.. But the fact that we respond and care, that just carries so much weight with people. At one point, according to a military investigative report, a friend took Brandon to the chaplain for help with depression. The article also includes the following from Whitmer: You know, Ive been a target of white supremacists efforts to kidnap me, put me on some sort of a sham trial, and execute me. They called him a BUD/S dud, or somebody who goes through SEALsand doesnt make it, Patrick said. Clemons-Etheredge said her husband, who has served in the Navy for 16 years, doesn't feel like he can speak publicly about the issues within the HSC-28 command because he is still active duty. In 2015, he joined the Navy with the dream of becoming a SEAL the special operations force thats part of the Naval Special Warfare Command. "I called the [Enlisted Community Management Branch] to ask why I got denied, and he said, 'Your senior chief had quite a few negative things to say about you.'

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