Key leaders from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard met to discuss the biggest challenges facing their branches in 2024. All three maritime-based branches shared similar concerns over their staffing.
Officers said that each branch is still emphasizing hiring to expand the number of enlisted individuals. However, they are looking for candidates with more specific skillsets to fill open positions.
“It’s pretty clear that we need a bigger Navy and every study since 2016 has said we need a larger Navy,” Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of Naval Operations, said. “The more important thing right now is having a ready Navy. When you talk about more players on the field, that really is ready players on the field.”
Other high-ranking Naval officers said they need Congress to approve a larger budget to help recruit those higher-skilled individuals.
While the Marine Corps has enough skilled individuals enlisted, leaders said their challenge is ensuring a high quality of life for the highly-trained soldiers so they stay enlisted.
“That equates to their conditions of the barracks, access to healthcare, access to childcare, good childcare, good gyms,” Gen. Christopher Mahoney, U.S. Marine Corps assistant commandant, said. “And you’ve got to bring in new ideas to continually, not sit there and declare victory once again, but to make sure that you are addressing needs that they have.”
Leaders from both branches agreed on the need for additional funding to meet their hiring and retention goals. The key step, according to leaders, is ensuring Congress passes budgets in a timely manner so each brand does not have to pause recruiting and development efforts.
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