Personnel Shortage At U.S. Coast Guard Sinks 10 Cutters, 29 Stations

[Timber Rattler]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2023/11/02/personnel-shortage-at-us-coast-guard-sinks-10-cutters-29-stations/?sh=4b146b57648c

Recruitment and retention challenges have led the U.S. Coast Guard into a system-wide service retreat. A 3500-person shortfall—a nearly 10% shortage in the enlisted ranks—is forcing the Coast Guard to take ten cutters out of service, transfer five tugs to seasonal activation, and shutter 29 boat stations.

The moves, couched as a bland “AY 24 Force Alignment Initiative”, present an unprecedented loss of maritime capability at a time when the United States is facing an array of complex challenges at sea. But the Coast Guard simply “cannot maintain the same level of operations” going forward. Behind the scenes, the service is using the crisis to advance an array of modern management and personnel initiatives to help bring more people into the Coast Guard—and keep them there.

The cuts, coming as the Coast Guard has, according to Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan, “never been in greater demand around the world,” will hurt, but leaders were quick to assure the realignment will not cause a decay in existing Search and Rescue capabilities. But, at a minimum, the Coast Guard’s retreat does reduce redundancy and raises risk. The cuts will roil the enforcement of America’s maritime border, opening new and dangerous opportunities for migrants, drug smugglers and criminal networks.

EXCERPT

This is just unacceptable, and represents a total failure by Congress and the Biden Administration.