News here of the return of USS JASON DUNHAM (DDG 109) from its nine-month maiden voyage. Nine months. This is happening more and more frequently, and average deployment lengths continue to creep up.
We either need a bigger fleet or fewer things to do. Perhaps both. But not neither.
Some will look at this and compare it to the multiple, longer deployments made by US ground forces in the past decade. There is no question, they have borne a mighty load, a wartime load. Yet we should not forget that regular out of area deployments have been what the Navy does since there has been a Navy. And long after we have pulled out of Afghanistan, Navy and Marine Corps forces will routinely deploy around the world in support of our national interests.
Consequential decisions are at hand. Secretary Hagel said many things in his speech at NDU the other day to make me believe he is interested in fundamental strategic reform. We shall see.
Bryan McGrath
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