Navy Force Structure Thinkers: Beware the Manpower Sirens

The Navy needs to find efficiencies. Heard that before? I have—in 1990 and again in 2010. In both cases, the Navy found them in the manpower account. What was the result? Disaster.

In Greek mythology, the Sirens were dangerous creatures who lured nearby sailors with enchanting music and singing voices to wreck their ships on the rocky coast. In similar fashion, Navy leaders may once again be hearing the seductive call of the manpower Sirens in the halls of the Pentagon as a beautiful chorus: “Cut people, save money—all will be well.” Meanwhile, down at the waterfront, the sound is more: “More work, less time, more stress.”