EMN3 Jacob Eliott Slocum USN
October 5, 1999 – December 5, 2022
Jacob Elliott Slocum was born on 10/5/99 in Elk Grove Village and grew up in his hometown of Elmhurst, Illinois. He graduated from York Community High School in 2018 and immediately left for Basic Training at Great Lakes Naval Station in entrance to the United States Navy.
Upon graduating boot camp Jacob was sent to Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Goose Creek, South Carolina where he would spend the next couple of years training as an Electricians Mate Nuclear. Once Jacob graduated from NNPTC’s very intensive and often stressful schooling, he was assigned to his first duty station in San Diego, California aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN71), deploying through the South China Sea. Jacob completed his first and last deployment during 2021-2022.
After the return of CVN71 to homeport, Jacob’s ship was then moved up to Seattle, Washington to undergo maintenance and repair. During this time, Jacob was made to requalify for his rate in service. Jacob struggled with qualifying, mental health and “staying afloat” during this time. He experienced leadership who were toxic and unsupportive of mental health which led to the further decline in Jacob’s mental health which ultimately led to Jacob making the mentally unsound decision to tragically end his own life.
To this day, the Captain, Senior Chief and Chief Petty Officer who made Jacob’s life a living hell, remain in service. We need more transparency and accountability within our military. Parents of military suicide, where toxic leadership was a factor in their child’s death, need to speak out against and raise awareness to stop future tragedies from occurring.
Jacob enjoyed various video games and spent his Friday nights while in high school playing Dungeons and Dragons and Magic with his best buddies. Jacob had a beautiful gentle soul, willing to help anyone when needed.
Jacob called Illinois home.
