‘Burning Through People’: US Navy Considers Drastic Measure Over Manpower Shortage: Report

The U.S. Navy is reportedly considering drastic measures to tackle manpower shortage, sources told USNI News.

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is reportedly facing operational challenges due to a shortage of qualified civilian mariners. This prompted a strategic plan to sideline 17 Navy support ships, USNI News reported, citing three people familiar with deliberations. This proposal, termed as a “force generation reset,” reportedly aims to alleviate the staffing strain by putting two Lewis and Clark-class replenishment ships, one fleet oiler, twelve Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPF) and two expeditionary sea bases into extended maintenance while reassigning their crews to other vessels.

Navy Could Sideline 17 Support Ships Due to Manpower Issues – USNI Newshttps://t.co/Ag2ilglmkm pic.twitter.com/tcQQBNxJdR

— U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) August 23, 2024

The two forward-deployed expeditionary sea bases identified in the plan are the USS Lewis Puller (ESB-3) and USS Herschel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4), two sources told USNI news. These vessels have been pivotal in regional naval operations, including counter-smuggling and special operations, the outlet noted. The reallocation of their crews has reportedly been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent stringent onboard restrictions, USNI News stated.

This move is necessitated by a staffing shortfall that could potentially reduce the MSC’s demand for mariners by as many as 700 billets, the outlet noted. The draft plan is reportedly awaiting approval from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti. It currently operates 4,500 billets with a mariner-to-billet ratio of about 1.27, the outlet stated. This ratio is not operationally sound, two MSC master mariners told the outlet. (Read more from “‘Burning Through People’: US Navy Considers Drastic Measure Over Manpower Shortage: Report” HERE)