Representatives from the Navy League’s Maritime Policy Committee rolled out the Navy League's 2010-2011 Maritime Policy Statement during a May 4 briefing on the exhibition hall floor at the Sea-Air-Space Exposition. The theme of the new Maritime Policy Statement focuses on "Global Engagement -- At Sea and Ashore".
James Offutt, chairman of the Maritime Policy Committee, said the policy statement emphasizes "the continuing need for U.S. sea power, both naval and commercial, to protect U.S. interests throughout the world and ensure the nation's economic well being. ... It's imperative that we maintain a strong force that convinces potential adversaries that the United States can prevail in any future war, and for this we need hulls in the water, need them globally deployed and we need them ready to act."
The policy statement advocates a fully funded and achievable shipbuilding program for the Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine; the right mix of naval aviation for the fleet, dominance of the information spheres; resources to reset the Marine Corps force and fund the Coast Guard's Deepwater recapitalization effort; assets to allow the sea services to train as they fight; and resources to ensure a viable industrial base.
Personnel concerns also are a major focus of the policy statement, which supports adequate compensation, health-care and retirement benefits and quality-of-life improvements as a means of attracting, training and retaining "intelligent and capable men and women" to ensure sufficient manning of the sea service forces.
"It is a national imperative that we take care of our people," Offutt said.
Joining Offutt for the presentation were the chairmen of the various Navy League committees that contributed to the Policy Statement: Robert Sutton, national vice president for Sea Services; James D. Hull, chairman of the Coast Guard Affairs Committee; and Al Herberger, chairman of the Merchant Marine Committee.
The Maritime Policy Statement is updated yearly to provide a basis for the Navy League's education and legislative affairs efforts, Offutt said.
The 2010-2011 Maritime Policy Statement is available online at www.navyleague.org
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