First Thing: US aircraft carrier arrives to relieve USS Lincoln amid reports of poor living conditions

The latest deployment of the USS George Washington to relieve the embattled USS Abraham Lincoln is a stark reminder that the human cost of military service continues to mount. Reports of poor living conditions, food and water shortages, disrupted mail services, and plummeting morale on board the Lincoln are symptoms of a broader issue: the erosion of wellbeing in an institution that demands peak physical and mental performance from its personnel.

The Lincoln’s prolonged deployment – over 250 days at sea without a significant port visit or date to return home for its crew of nearly 5,000 sailors and marines – has taken a devastating toll on those serving on board. Families of crew members have spoken out about worsening mental health issues, low morale, and lack of support from commanders. This is not an isolated incident; it’s part of a pattern that has been building for years.

The phenomenon of “evergreen deployments” has become increasingly common in recent decades. Military personnel are often sent on extended tours without clear timelines for return or rotation, creating a sense of limbo where service members are perpetually stuck between deployment and post-deployment leave. This lack of stability can be particularly damaging for those with families, who struggle to balance their duties with the needs of loved ones.

Research has shown that prolonged deployments can lead to increased rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even suicidal ideation among service members. These problems not only affect individual personnel but also unit cohesion, operational effectiveness, and ultimately, national security. When service members are struggling with their own wellbeing, they’re less effective in carrying out their duties.

The Pentagon’s handling of these issues has been inadequate. Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the poor living conditions on board the Lincoln, but it remains to be seen whether concrete action will follow. The reliance on evergreen deployments and the lack of transparency surrounding personnel wellbeing are deeply troubling.

Meanwhile, a related issue is gaining traction: add-on utility fees that can lead to evictions for service members’ families. At least 13 lawsuits have been filed across five states since 2025, with a nearly $500,000 settlement in California being just one example. Efforts to limit or ban these fees are underway, but it’s unclear whether this will address the root causes of the problem.

As the USS George Washington arrives in the Middle East, we’re reminded that the wellbeing of service members is not merely a personnel issue; it’s a strategic imperative. The US military cannot afford to neglect the human cost of its operations if it hopes to maintain peak performance and global influence. It’s time for policymakers and commanders to take concrete steps to address these issues – before more lives are lost to burnout, anxiety, or worse.

The wellbeing of service members is not just a moral imperative; it’s also a national security concern. When personnel are struggling with their own wellbeing, the entire institution suffers. The arrival of the USS George Washington serves as a stark reminder that we need to do better – for our service members, for our military, and for our nation’s future.