Which reads fine in its goals but says absolutely nothing about how any of them will be implemented. There are zero clear sources of funding described. That is where the rubber meets to road and imo, this is nothing but a lot of talk leading nowhere.
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That’s the primary difference between EO and congressional bills. One comes with funding and direction. The other… just directs people to figure it out.
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Well the only way the maritime industry will raise up, is with big tax breaks and cash infusion. Let’s face it the only real difference between a foreign vessel and American is the crew cost and labor cost of the building the vessel, also the cost of using American only parts.
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Wait until the president finds out we have a critical officer shortage at Military Sealift Command, and yet USMMA grads graduate and immediately work shoreside with no repercussions.
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I worked with one maybe ten years ago. Her daddy was also a KP grad and a lawyer… she was bragging to everyone onboard that she could get out of her naval reserve obligation anytime she wanted and was considering doing so as a protest against the (then first) Trump Administration. When reminded of her obligation and that the taxpayers foot the bill for her education she basically said she didn’t give a shit and that her father would get her out of trouble. A real gem. We weren’t sad to see her sign off. She was absolutely useless.
That’s the one bad apple I ever dealt with — but these discussions/remarks always remind me of that person.
About 50% of the KP grads I have known complete their reserve obligation. I have no idea how they get out of it but apparently it isn’t difficult.
I don’t know if it’s true, but someone told me a KP midshipman claimed that with certain navy jobs if you fail the training they don’t reassign you to whatever else is open “based on the needs of the service” but will flat out send you packing. The kid said he knew of some classmates who were planning to pick those jobs to deliberately flunk out to duck their obligations.
Vets on the forum would know better if this is true or BS.
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