On October 23, 1944, a formidable US naval fleet sailed past the Philippine island of Leyte with more than 300 battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines.
Their objective was to secure the island’s strategic gulf to support the Allied amphibious invasion (which would ultimately liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation). Plus they intended to cut off Japan from vital resources in Southeast Asia.
The Japanese high command knew that losing the Philippines would be devastating to their war effort, so they sent the Imperial Navy to engage and destroy the American fleet in what would become the largest naval battle in world history.
The Japanese had a strong fleet, for sure. But at that point the US Navy was battle-hardened and highly experienced in complex maneuvers.
During the battle, in fact, the American fleet was able to execute a series of complicated and challenging movements known as “crossing the T”.
This tactic allowed the US Navy to unleash devastating broadsides with minimal return fire from the Japanese, effectively crippling the imperial navy. And after three days of intense fighting, the Allies won the battle. They soon regained control of the Philippines, all but ensuring their victory in the Pacific.
This Battle of Leyte Gulf was not only a major turning point in World War II, but it was also the last major, conventional battle for the United States Navy.
Certainly the US Navy has been deployed plenty of times over the past eight decades, but for th most part its role has been limited. They’ve carried troops, provided fire support, launched aircraft, managed logistics, and conducted exercises as a ‘show of strength’.
There have also been plenty of minor skirmishes, especially involving small patrol boats during the Vietnam War.
But in terms of actual large-scale surface warfare, i.e. fleets of ships trying to out-maneuver and fire upon one another in the open water, the last conflict was eighty years ago… meaning there is no one serving in the Navy today with any first-hand experience in such complex tactics.
Yet any potential conflict with China— which hopefully never comes— would involve precisely this type of old-school surface warfare. And that’s a big problem for America’s navy.
Forget about strategic maneuvers while guns are blazing in the heat of battle; lately it seems that the Navy can’t even steer its ships properly on calm waters in broad daylight.
This is about the most humiliating thing that could happen for a naval commander. And yet, a few years ago during a single four-month period, the Navy suffered three completely avoidable collisions, two deadly.
The USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship off the coast of Japan due to navigational errors and procedural failures, resulting in the deaths of seven US sailors.
And two months later, the USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker near Singapore due to inadequate training and crew confusion, leading to the deaths of ten US sailors.
There is also clear rot in the highest levels of Navy leadership.
For example, in May, federal authorities arrested retired Admiral Robert Burke, former Vice Chief of Naval Operations— the second highest ranking Navy officer— and charged him with bribery offenses.
He’s accused of steering lucrative contracts towards a company in exchange for a $500,000 per year job, which he was given when he retired. (He should have run for Congress— they do this every day and are never arrested for it.)
Ironically, the company offers leadership training. So the corrupt Admiral hired the corrupt company to train the next generation of the Navy’s leadership. Great.
Whoever runs the Navy’s website is also apparently incompetent, because (as of today’s date which is months after his arrest and indictment) Burke’s profile is still live and boasts about his distinguished career.
Aside from embarrassing levels of incompetence and corruption, the Navy’s mission readiness is also a problem.
For starters, the Navy is shrinking. The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) established a policy for the Navy to have “not fewer than 355 battle force ships.”
Yet the Navy’s own website says it has roughly “280 ships ready to be deployed.” That’s 20% below the minimum target, which is especially concerning given that the existing vessels are getting old and obsolete.
The oldest ship that’s still on active duty— the USS Blue Ridge— was originally commissioned 54 years ago in November 1970. The average destroyer is 20 years old. The average aircraft carrier (the type of vessel which will be absolutely critical in a conflict with China) is 31 years old.
Yet top brass in the Navy intends to continue expanding the lifespan of these ships— while China aggressively grows its fleet with brand new ships, bigger guns, and cutting edge technology.
To make matters worse, US munitions stockpiles are also old and dwindling.
And that’s not even getting into the personnel issues in the Navy— including the full blown recruiting crisis.
In short, not enough people, not enough ammunition, not enough ships, plus rampant corruption and incompetence… all while a looming adversary continues to grow its fleet and combat capabilities.
The US Navy has a lot to fix. So what’s their big priority now?
Gender inclusivity, of course.
Last week the Navy excitedly announced that launch of its first co-ed submarine— the USS New Jersey, i.e. “Jersey Girl”. That’s literally the nickname. And the Navy called it “a testament to the strength that diversity brings to our Navy,” and, “a symbol of progress, breaking barriers.”
The video concludes saying, “The future of Naval warfare starts here, and it’s more inclusive, stronger, and more capable than ever.”
Back in 2020, I joked that, “Our enemies will tremble at the sight of our diversity and inclusion…”
Now the Navy is actually putting that in its marketing.
It’s extraordinary how short-sighted these people are. The future of Naval warfare isn’t “more inclusive”. It’s deadly. It’s bloody. It’s serious business. And it requires serious leaders who understand real world threats; who can competently develop and execute strategic plans to meet those threats; and who can maximize the value of every dollar they’re given.
These people blow through money like, well, drunken sailors. And they demonstrate over and over again that they have no clue about the real challenges that America faces.
This absurd concept of ‘inclusive warfare’ is just the latest example of how Joe Biden’s DEI obsession has set deep and dangerous roots that will continue to harm America for years to come.
We can only imagine how much worse this will become if Kamala wins… which is why it makes so much sense to have a Plan B.
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