By Navy League National President David J. Reilly
This is blog post appears in the April issue of Seapower magazine, the official magazine of the Navy League of the United States.
Russia’s recent aggression toward the sovereign and democratic nation of Ukraine serves as a somber reminder that our world is not a safe place. Sadly, the dictatorial mindset of Vladimir Putin is one that has reared its head throughout history, mirroring the likes of some of the most boldly authoritarian rulers of the past.
Try as many experts may, it’s impossible to predict when these incidents will boil into conflicts or wars. History has shown us that the United States is no exception to involvement in these unprovoked altercations. Days like September 11 or the attacks on Pearl Harbor will forever live on in our collective memories as some of the most challenging moments our nation has ever faced.
Our policy goals should always center around diplomacy and deterrence first, with the ability to project our power to keep conflict away from our shores. While all our service branches serve a critical role in this, our sea services have, without a doubt, the strongest hand to play to keep the enemy at bay. The global playing field is one that centers on the ocean, and American sea power plays a vital role in our peacekeeping and projection abilities.
The Navy League of the United States has educated the American public on this topic over our 120-year history. Our advocacy and support efforts for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine play a vital role in America’s security and safety.
There will always be more we need to fight for. We need to ensure our Navy has the equipment and technology it needs to be effective in its mission. We need to support the Marine Corps as it realigns itself more closely with the Navy. As the resource-rich Arctic emerges as an area where dominance of the region equals global dominance, we need a Coast Guard that has the assets to thrive. And we’re keenly aware after the last few years that our merchant ships’ role in keeping our economy vital and running smoothly cannot be taken for granted.
From our Navy League individual membership that goes out of its way to support our sea services, to our government and industry partners that supply our services with manpower and resources, to our sea service members and families themselves, it takes all our efforts to succeed in this battle for maritime superiority. Thank you for your commitment to our mission.