Key leaders from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard met to discuss the biggest challenges facing their branches in 2024. All three maritime-based branches shared similar concerns over their staffing.
Officers said that each branch is still emphasizing hiring to expand the number of enlisted individuals. However, they are looking for candidates with more specific skillsets to fill open positions.
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“It’s pretty clear that we need a bigger Navy and every study since 2016 has said we need a larger Navy,” Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of Naval Operations, said. “The more important thing right now is having a ready Navy. When you talk about more players on the field, that really is ready players on the field.”
Other high-ranking Naval officers said they need Congress to approve a larger budget to help recruit those higher-skilled individuals.
While the Marine Corps has enough skilled individuals enlisted, leaders said their challenge is ensuring a high quality of life for the highly-trained soldiers so they stay enlisted.
“That equates to their conditions of the barracks, access to healthcare, access to childcare, good childcare, good gyms,” Gen. Christopher Mahoney, U.S. Marine Corps assistant commandant, said. “And you’ve got to bring in new ideas to continually, not sit there and declare victory once again, but to make sure that you are addressing needs that they have.”
Leaders from both branches agreed on the need for additional funding to meet their hiring and retention goals. The key step, according to leaders, is ensuring Congress passes budgets in a timely manner so each brand does not have to pause recruiting and development efforts.
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[RYAN ROBERTSON]
FOR THE MOST PART THE PROBLEMS FACING ONE BRANCH OF AMERICA’S NATIONAL DEFENSE, ARE USUALLY VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE OTHER BRANCHES. IN THAT REGARD THE NAVY, MARINE CORPS, AND COAST GUARD AREN’T ALL THAT DIFFERENT FROM THE ARMY, AIR, AND SPACE LKFORCES. OF COURSE, HOW THEY ANALYZE AND APPROACH PROBLEM-SOLVING IS AS UNIQUE AS THEIR INDIVIDUAL HISTORIES. FOR OUR MARITIME ELEMENTS THAT MEANS ALIGNING NEW THINKING WITH THEIR CORE BELIEFS.
THIS YEAR’S GATHERING STARTED WITH A LEADERSHIP PANEL FEATURING SOME OF THE MOST SENIOR VOICES IN OUR NATION’S MARITIME DEFENSES.
CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS ADMIRAL LISA FRANCHETTI, WITH NEARLY FOUR DECADES OF SERVICE TO HER CREDIT, AND THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE ON THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, HAMMERED HOME HER STANCE THAT THE NAVY, NOT ONLY NEEDS MORE SAILORS, BUT NEEDS THEM TRAINED AND READY TO SERVE, TELLING THE AUDIENCE….
“It’s pretty clear that we need a bigger Navy and every study since 2016 has said we need a larger Navy, The more important thing right now is having a ready Navy. When you talk about more players on the field, that really is ready players on the field.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
THAT SENTIMENT WAS ECHOED BY UNDERSECRETARY OF THE NAVY ERIK RAVEN, WHO TOLD THOSE GATHERED IN NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND…
[ERIK RAVEN]
“We need budgets to support our strategy, with people and readiness coming first.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
ASSISTANT COMMANDANT OF THE U.S. MARINE CORPS, GENERAL CHRISTOPHER MAHONEY, POINTED TO HIS BRANCH’S RETENTION NUMBERS WHICH ARE QUOTE “VERY, VERY GOOD.” AT THE SAME TIME ACKNOWLEDGING THE CORPS CAN’T STAND PAT AND NOT ADDRESS QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.
[CHRISTOPHER MAHONEY]
“That equates to their conditions of the barracks, access to healthcare, access to childcare, good childcare, good gyms. And you’ve got to bring in new ideas to continually, not sit there and declare victory once again, but to make sure that you are addressing needs that they have.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
ADMIRAL FRANCHETTI ALSO ADDRESSED THE MILITARY’S NEED FOR CONGRESS TO DO ITS JOB, SPECIFIACLLY, GETTING THE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
[LISA FRANCHETTI]
“Getting a budget on time, not having a [continuing resolution], would be very helpful for us to maintain the momentum that we’re trying to achieve.”
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