Navy League's Maritime Policy Statement

The Navy League’s annual Maritime Policy Statement is produced by our Maritime Policy and Resolutions Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The analyses and recommendations in the Maritime Policy Statement are derived from multiple sources, including the expertise and decades of experience of our members themselves, open source materials, and public information from the seagoing services. 

The views expressed are those of the Navy League of the United States, and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Maritime Administration.

The annual statement represents the Navy League’s commitment to ensuring that as a maritime nation, continued high priority is given to maintaining a strong national maritime force. This year’s statement sounds an urgent call to “reset” the nation’s maritime services’ personnel and equipment, which are experiencing burn-out as a result of ongoing conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and operations that support the War on Terror. The statement identifies critical programs and policies influencing both the operational and materiel readiness of today’s U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine. The document also prescribes current and future force structure levels necessary for the intermediate and long-term readiness of each service.

“Today, the strength of our vital maritime forces is being jeopardized by the financial strains of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the broader Global War on Terror and our enduring security commitments to friends and allies in every corner of the Earth,” said J. Michael McGrath, National President of the Navy League.  “If Americans want to safeguard their futures, protect U.S. citizens and interests across the globe, and maintain our role as leaders in a globalized economy of free nations, it is imperative that we invest wisely NOW, and rebuild and replenish our sea-going services.”

The Policy Statement also outlines the need to revitalize our industrial maritime industry and strengthen the overburdened Marine Transportation System, which is vital to our nation’s economic interests. Read the Maritime Policy Statement.