Bryan Clark, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
The Navy and DoD’s prioritization of readiness over all else during 2019 and in the proposed 2021 budget will constrain the fleet’s ability to deter aggression through the next decade. Unfortunately, readiness was expended on lower priority missions of the National Defense Strategy—a trend that continues today. Unless the Navy adopts a more sustainable fleet design and prioritizes modernization, the fleet will shrink and fall behind its competitors.
Petty Officer First Class Philip Kiley, U.S. Coast Guard
The award of a detail design and construction contract for the Coast Guard’s next-generation heavy icebreaker will allow the service to meet the challenges of the Arctic environment while keeping pace with Chinese and Russian developments in the region.
Sal Mercogliano, Associate Professor of History, Campbell University
The implementation of International Maritime Organization 2020 standards forced commercial shipping to change its entire method of operating. Shipping companies either had to arrange for low-sulphur fuel or retrofit their vessels with engine scrubbers. This led to a year-end scurry for new fuel or shipyard availability.
Rob Holzer and Scott Truver, Authors, "The U.S. Navy in Review"
The Chief of Naval Operations and Commandant of the Marine Corps launched a first-ever integrated naval force structure assessment. Grounded in a kaleidoscope of strategies, visions, and concepts, it should shape more than just tomorrow’s fleet, but rather all elements of the two Sea Services.
Lieutenant Colonel Dillon Fishman, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
The visionary Education for Seapower report of February 2019. It advanced a comprehensive review of naval education, instituted the Naval University System, and prioritized learning across the Navy and Marine Corps to outthink our evolving adversaries.
Lindsey Neas, Former Congressional Defense Aide
The administration’s decision to dramatically reduce funding for Navy ship production, while simultaneously messaging to the American people that our military has been rebuilt, with full knowledge of the historically unprecedented expansion of Chinese naval power. This will, if sustained, fundamentally compromise our maritime strategy, curtail trade, and weaken our alliances.
Jerry Sandvick, History Professor, Emeritus
The President declaring in November that Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher would keep his Trident warfare pin and remain a SEAL. When any SEAL is properly and legally tried and convicted, the SEAL community should determine if he can retain the privilege of wearing the Trident. Preempting that process undermines the ideals and standards of the Sea Services and is a slap in the face to professional naval officers, enlisted persons, and, indeed, men and women of all branches who do their best to honorably serve our country.
William L. Stearman, Retired foreign service officer and former Navy officer
Without doubt, General David H. Berger’s becoming Marine Corps Commandant on 11 July was the most important event in 2019. He would soon be introducing significant changes in the Corps, including eliminating tanks and shifting emphasis from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific theater.
Michael Ravnitzky, USNI Life Member
The start of infrastructure optimization to modernize the facilities and drydocks of public naval shipyards to leverage their facilities and resources, and skills of the shipyard workers—all so critical to the maintenance, repairs, and upgrades to Navy warships.
Rosie Torres, U.S. Navy Veteran
On 4 March 2019, the signing of Executive Order 13860, Supporting the Transition of Active Duty Service Members and Military Veterans into the Merchant Marines. This was followed by the President proclaiming 22 May as National Maritime Day.
Captain Lawson W. Brigham, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)
The Coast Guard’s award on 23 April 2019 of a contract to VT Halter Marine to build the first of several Polar Security Cutters. These national assets will replace the 1970s Polar-class icebreakers and provide enhanced U.S. sovereign presence in Arctic and Antarctic waters.
Captain Richard T. Sloane, U.S. Navy (Retired)
The loss of General James Mattis, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), as Secretary of Defense.
Adrian Villanueva, Former U.S. Navy Reserve
The Navy decision to continue with the freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea and sail through the Taiwan Straits. A close second is the Navy’s decision to ramp up development of hypersonic missiles.
June Asked & Answered Question:
What fictional Sea Service character would you have most liked to serve with or for?