quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
I've got a neighbor who's son is studying marine engineering at Cal Maritime Academy, he just returned from their Summer cruise across the Pacific. With all the issues affecting the commercial shipping world, how the MSC treats its crews and their ridiculous policies during Covid, he has zero interest in accepting a commission. Most of his classmate are looking at the fishing industry, petroleum or, one of the science platforms as a career.

YT Channel, What is Going on With Shipping? has touched on this in many of his videos, chastising the Navy and the US Gov for not just the abuse of the maritime industry but, the neglect and indifference towards it. The USN and USCG have serious problems, US Maritime is in even worse shape.

quote:

The conversation discusses the recent decision by the Navy to sideline 17 vessels due to a manpower shortage. This decision has raised concerns about the impact on the fleet's operational capabilities. The guest, Dr. Sal Mercagliano, explains that this issue has been a long time coming and traces it back to decisions made in the 1980s. He highlights the challenges faced by Military Sealift Command (MSC) in recruiting and retaining mariners, as well as the negative impact of COVID-19 on crew availability.

The conversation also touches on the lack of recognition and benefits for CivMars, the civilian mariners who serve on these ships. The conversation explores the challenges and potential solutions for the Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the U.S. merchant marine. The complex chain of command for MSC and the stringent requirements for civilian merchant sailors are discussed. The need to make it easier for people to transition from active duty to MSC is highlighted. The conversation also addresses the issues of training, leave, and travel expenses for MSC mariners. The low recruitment rate from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the negative experiences of some mariners with MSC are mentioned.

The potential consequences of a shortage of mariners during a crisis are examined. The conversation emphasizes the importance of proper allocation of funds and the need for leadership and recognition of mariners' contributions. The lack of visibility and positive messaging about the merchant marine is discussed, along with the need for a national maritime strategy. The importance of logistics and the challenges of maintaining a strong logistics force are highlighted.

The conversation concludes with a discussion on the need to reevaluate the role of MSC and the potential benefits of reverting some ships from USNS to USS.

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Originally posted by Silvermine:
I think our military is foolish to squander the defense budget on childish toys like helicopters, aircraft carriers and submarines. They learn nothing from our enemies.
For a fraction of the money they could simply send front men into hostile countries and buy up their television and radio stations, newspapers, entertainment companies and other information sources.
We could run their stock market, tell them which politicians to support, run their elections, omit any criticism of US policy, Tell them the US is their greatest ally and promote a host of bad ideas to unravel their social fabric.
We would have the power of social engineering. With that influence we could tell the men to be women, the women to be men and the children to choose their gender.
Within a short time the majority would stop having children.
We could tell them their ancestors were mean and hateful and shame them into accepting millions of immigrants from the jungles of Africa and India and if any of them complain we could label them extremists and racists and trigger their guilt. Then we could offer them redemption from their guilt by suggesting they intermarry with the immigrants.
Eventually the people of that country would lose their national and ethnic pride and identity and they would be willing to negotiate with us rather than resist in the name of their ancestors.

quote:

Originally posted by chuck416:

quote:

Originally posted by Silvermine:
I think our military is foolish to squander the defense budget on childish toys like helicopters, aircraft carriers and submarines. They learn nothing from our enemies.
For a fraction of the money they could simply send front men into hostile countries and buy up their television and radio stations, newspapers, entertainment companies and other information sources.
We could run their stock market, tell them which politicians to support, run their elections, omit any criticism of US policy, Tell them the US is their greatest ally and promote a host of bad ideas to unravel their social fabric.
We would have the power of social engineering. With that influence we could tell the men to be women, the women to be men and the children to choose their gender.
Within a short time the majority would stop having children.
We could tell them their ancestors were mean and hateful and shame them into accepting millions of immigrants from the jungles of Africa and India and if any of them complain we could label them extremists and racists and trigger their guilt. Then we could offer them redemption from their guilt by suggesting they intermarry with the immigrants.
Eventually the people of that country would lose their national and ethnic pride and identity and they would be willing to negotiate with us rather than resist in the name of their ancestors.

But then, very soon, the military-industrial complex that Pres. Eisenhower warned us about would have no wars for which to continue funding of. Worse yet, we might actually experience a period of (gulp…) legitimate peace.
And that is not good for “business”.

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Originally posted by nhtagmember:
No carriers in the Pacific? Da fuk?