Sailor shortages severely impact ship maintenance capabilities

An article by Defense News highlights a recent US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, which underlines critical issues facing the Navy's ship maintenance operations due to severe sailor shortages.

According to the report, which was released on September 9, some 63 per cent of executive officers—second-in-command on ships—indicated that insufficient crew levels significantly hinder the ability to complete necessary repairs while underway.

The GAO's findings underscore the importance of at-sea maintenance for operational readiness. However, the report, based on extensive interviews with sailors and leadership across the fleet, identifies several contributing factors to the maintenance challenges: manning shortages, inadequate Navy guidelines, and insufficient training.

As of late last year, the Navy faced a shortfall of nearly 14,000 enlisted sailors needed to adequately staff its aircraft carriers, surface ships, and attack submarines. The report reveals that many of these vessels, including carriers, cruisers, and amphibious assault ships, are operating below the crew levels deemed necessary for safe operations by the Navy Manpower Analysis Center.

This shortage has led to an increased workload for the remaining crew members, resulting in burnout and attrition. Some sailors have reported that the shortage of experienced personnel and inadequate training exacerbate the problem, with many feeling unprepared for their maintenance responsibilities.

Training deficiencies are also a concern, with sailors expressing dissatisfaction with the quality and relevance of their training. The GAO report points out that the initial training provided at A school is often insufficient for the specific demands of shipboard maintenance roles. While the Navy is attempting to address these issues through its Ready Relevant Learning initiative, which includes distributing training videos, some areas such as electrical repair lack adequate resources.

The GAO has recommended several improvements, including better tracking of crew availability, more tailored personnel assignments for maintenance tasks, and updated guidelines that reflect the actual skill levels and needs of maintenance personnel. The Navy has agreed to these recommendations, acknowledging the need for improvements to enhance its maintenance capabilities.

The report, based on surveys of executive officers from 232 ships and interviews with over 140 leaders and 200 sailors, underscores the urgent need for reforms to address these ongoing challenges.