A shortage of qualified civilian mariners may force the U.S. Navy to place 17 support ships into extended maintenance, sidelining vessels crucial for resupply and refueling operations. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is considering a “force generation reset” that would reassign mariners from these ships to other vessels in the fleet.
The plan would affect a range of ships, including Lewis and Clark-class replenishment ships, Spearhead-class fast transports, and two forward-deployed expeditionary sea bases. The USS Lewis Puller and USS Herschel “Woody” Williams, stationed in Bahrain and Greece respectively, are among the ships that could see their crews reassigned.
The root of the problem lies in MSC’s inability to retain civilian mariners due to difficult working conditions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mariners were subject to extended deployments with little respite, leading to a wave of resignations. Former MSC mariners describe a punishing schedule that has pushed many to seek employment elsewhere, leaving the Navy short-staffed and struggling to fill critical roles.
Sal Mercogliano, a maritime expert, described the situation as the result of long-standing mismanagement. “They are just burning through people,” he said, pointing to a pattern of neglect that has eroded morale and driven mariners away. With the Navy’s logistical fleet already stretched thin, this crisis could have significant operational implications if not addressed swiftly.
As the Navy explores solutions, the broader question remains whether MSC can reform its practices and create an environment that attracts and retains skilled mariners, or if the support fleet will continue to suffer from crippling manpower shortages.
