Navy League Report Urges Congress to Develop Critical Maritime Capacity
Integrated Force Structure, Expanded Arctic Operations, Sealift Requirements Among Areas That Need Immediate Attention
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy League of the United States — a nonprofit civilian, educational and advocacy organization that supports America’s sea services: the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine — announced today that it has released its biennial legislative priorities document, “2021-2022 Maritime Policy,” detailing the critical needs of the sea services, including funding for the Columbia-class submarine, the need for a leaner Marine Corps and an Arctic ramp-up for the Coast Guard, among other policies.
A priority of the document is to ensure the 2018 National Defense Strategy’s call to address great power competition is met with the funding needed for robust, forward-deployed maritime forces; enhanced strategic sealift; and a supported shipbuilding industrial base. The report also urges that technology investments for the services do not overshadow the need to examine recruitment and retention policies to support the families who serve.
“With 50 million U.S. jobs supported by international maritime trade, our nation’s ability to project power and secure shipping lanes is vital to our economy,” said Navy League Executive Director Mike Stevens, retired 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. “The United States is a maritime nation, and our policy recommendations for the next two years ensure these critical issues that affect so many Americans, both civilians and those in uniform, and get addressed.”
The No. 1 acquisition priority outlined in the report is the need for the Columbia-class submarine, in line with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday’s assessment of the Navy’s top need. The submarine would replace the aging Ohio class.
The Navy League supports the bold vision detailed by Gen. David Berger, the 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, who has called for a leaner force that is more integrated with the Navy and able to operate within the gray zone of the littorals.
For the Coast Guard, the Navy League recommends a substantial investment in additional icebreakers to address the challenges of Arctic operations with the guard’s aging fleet, as well as investments in its technology infrastructure across the board.
With the United States approximately 1,800 mariners short of its sealift requirements should a large-scale conflict break out, the report states additional investments are needed to address the current military cargo shortfall.
Additionally, the report urges Congress to ratify the United Nations Law of the Sea convention, which would create greater legal leverage against China’s illegal fishing practices and Russia’s unchecked grabs at Arctic natural resources.
To view this report in full, visit https://www.navyleague.org/programs/legislative-affairs.
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About the Navy League of the United States
The Navy League of the United States, founded in 1902 with the support of President Theodore Roosevelt, is a nonprofit civilian, educational and advocacy organization that supports America’s sea services: the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine. Through national and local programs, the Navy League of the United States provides a powerful voice to educate the public and Congress on the importance of our sea services to our nation’s defense, well-being and economic prosperity. The Navy League provides support to our sea services personnel and their families and youth programs, such as the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Junior ROTC and Young Marines, that expose young people to the values of our sea services. For more information, go to www.navyleague.org.