| Two words:
"Thank you!"
That is Adm. Jay L. Johnson's answer to
the final question in this month's interview with the CNO: "Is there anything else
you would like to say to the members of the Navy League?"
It is really we, of course, who should be
thanking Admiral Johnson--and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Charles C. Krulak, and Coast
Guard Commandant Adm. James M. Loy, and all of the fine young men and women in our sea
services--for all that they have done for America.
And still do, 24 hours a day, every day
of the week, every week of the year. They are the peacekeepers, the defenders of freedom,
the leading edge of our combat forces. In times of great conflict, America's
forward-deployed naval forces are almost always the first combat-ready units ordered into
battle. In times of violent peace such as the present these same forces play the key role
not only in the protection of U.S. interests overseas but also in maintaining global peace
and stability.
They pay a considerable price for their
service to America: difficult, often harsh and dangerous, living and working conditions;
long working hours; frequent and extended family separations; and inadequate compensation
for all that they do for the rest of us and for our country.
The last is one area in which the Navy
League can help, and say "Thank you" in return to those who sacrifice so
much--by insisting, as loudly and publicly as possible, that military pay be at least
equivalent to compensation in the private sector.
Higher pay will not, of course, solve all
of the recruiting and retention and numerous other problems now affecting the combat
readiness of all of the nation's armed services. But it will help. It will help morale,
specifically, and it will demonstrate to those who wear our country's uniform with such
pride that their efforts are appreciated by their fellow citizens. Today and every day.
Closing the pay gap between the armed
services and the private sector would be a good beginning. But it would be no more than
that. Much more is needed. Additional funding for force modernization and acquisition, for
example. And for spare parts. For training. For family housing and for quality-of-life
programs across the board.
These and numerous other actions that
should be taken are not optional. They are mandatory. The world is more dangerous, and
much more hostile, now than it was even during the darkest days of the Cold War. Thanks to
the proliferation of high-tech weapons and delivery systems in recent years even a
theoretically regional conflict could have cataclysmic consequences for the entire world.
India and Pakistan have decided to build nuclear weapons. Iraq says no more arms
inspections. North Korea has flagrantly launched a missile over Japanese air space. Iran
massed forces, in a "routine training exercise," along its border with
Afghanistan. Russia is in the throes of economic and political turmoil that, in the views
of some analysts, could lead to a return of communist rule and possibly, just possibly,
civil war. Meanwhile, China has quietly continued to build up its naval and military
forces, and has never abandoned its threat to restore the "lost province"
(Taiwan) to PRC hegemony.
All of that has happened not just
"in recent years," but within the past several months. And while all this has
been going on we, and our allies, have continued to downsize, download, and dismantle our
military. Not too smart!
The Navy League is an educational
organization and, as Admiral Johnson suggests, has been singularly effective in rallying
support for a strong U.S. defense establishment across the board. We appreciate his
compliments. But we must do an even better job. The times demand it. When we celebrate
Navy Day this October at our council meetings throughout the country (and overseas as
well), let us focus on our primary mission: educating our fellow
citizens, and their representatives in Congress, about the continued need for strong sea
services--the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine specifically included--and for more funding for
national defense in general.
When we have done that, then, and only
then, will we be doing our job as well as the sea services are doing theirs. Every day.
Meanwhile, thank you,
Admiral Johnson. And thank you, every man and woman serving today in all of the nation's
armed services, and in the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine.
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