Pickles From the Same Barrel -- A Potential Shortage of Mariners: Its Impact on Strategic Sealift and Combat Logistics Force Operations

摘要

A declining US maritime flag fleet as well as new requirements for certifying and licensing merchant mariners will soon eliminate the pool of personnel needed for the 'surge-manning' of the Fast Sealift Ships and the Ready Reserve Force ships. These shortages will be a critical factor in any future conflict requiring a need for significant strategic sealift. Additionally, should any conflict arise requiring the activation of large numbers of reserve Sealift ships, these (potential) manning shortages will spill over into ships of the Navy's Combat Logistics Force (CLF) . The manpower needs for strategic mobility will be competing with the manpower needs for naval task group logistics.