The U.S. Navy is grappling with a serious manpower crisis that could force it to sideline 17 crucial support ships. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) operates a fleet of logistics ships responsible for refueling and resupplying Navy vessels worldwide, but a shortage of civilian mariners could significantly reduce these operations. The Navy and MSC are now considering a plan to reassign mariners from these 17 vessels to keep other ships operational.
The ships at risk include two Lewis and Clark-class replenishment ships, 12 Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transports, and two forward-deployed sea bases. Among the affected vessels are the USS Lewis Puller in Bahrain and the USS Herschel “Woody” Williams in Greece. Reassigning the mariners would free up around 600-700 personnel for other operations, but it could leave key Navy missions unsupported.
This crisis is largely a consequence of high turnover among mariners, fueled by difficult working conditions and the aftereffects of strict COVID-19 protocols. During the pandemic, mariners faced grueling schedules and extended deployments, which led many to leave the service. “They are just burning through people,” said Sal Mercogliano, a former mariner and current professor, pointing to years of neglect and poor management.
With MSC unable to hire replacements quickly enough, the Navy is left with limited options. If these support ships are taken offline, it could severely impact the Navy’s ability to sustain global operations, raising serious concerns about the readiness of U.S. forces in critical regions.
