Summary

Sal and Mark delve into the current state of the U.S. Navy, discussing the size and capabilities of the fleet, the challenges of operating as a two-ocean Navy, and the potential for utilizing alternative naval assets such as offshore supply vessels. They explore the ongoing debate between manned and unmanned aircraft. Discussed some of the lessons on how to turn around a military quickly using the transition from the 1970s malaise, to the Reagan Era victory in the Cold War. The discussion also touches on military leadership, morale, and the strategic importance of aircraft carriers in contemporary military operations.

Show Links

• "Crash Fleet: An Emergency Shipbuilding Program”, by Lieutenant Commander Brian Adornato, USNR.
• German army struggles to get Gen Z recruits ‘ready for war’, by Laura Pitel.

Takeaways

• The U.S. Navy's fleet size is often overestimated.
• The Navy operates as a two-ocean force, complicating logistics.
• Alternative naval assets could enhance defense capabilities.
• The future of naval warfare will involve a mix of manned and unmanned systems.
• Aircraft carriers remain a cornerstone of naval power.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and Overview of the Fleet Discussion
01:28: Analyzing the Current Size of the Navy
05:40: Challenges of a Two-Ocean Navy
07:48: Exploring Alternative Naval Platforms
11:58: Possible Role of Offshore Supply Vessels
14:47: Historical Context and Lessons Learned
18:20: Rethinking Naval Strategy and Resources
21:22: Utilizing Reserve Forces Effectively
25:02: Future of Aircraft Carriers and Naval Aviation
29:59: The Future of Manned vs. Unmanned Aircraft
34:38: Military Resource Allocation and Strategy
39:35: Generational Perspectives on Military Service in the post Vietnam recovery
44:39: Leadership and Military Morale