Compass Points - Accountability
Accountable for the Navy / Marine Corps team.
February 28, 2025
Marine Corps Compass Points
Broader Thinking, Deeper Understanding, and Better Decisions, for a Stronger Marine Corps
Business Executive John Phelan has begun his meetings and testimony that most likely will see him become the Secretary of the Navy. As he is being honored and asked question after question, he should ask himself his own question: is he ready to risk the fate of Dave Snowden?
During his testimony, Phelan promised to take a holistic look at Navy contracts to understand the incentives for shipbuilders and other defense contractors.
“I intend to sit down day one, and we are going to go through every contract that we have and understand what exactly they say and what flexibility they do or do not give us, what contract needs to change or not change, and why,” he told the panel.
“I intend to do the same thing as it relates to an audit. I need to understand why the Navy cannot pass an audit.”
At multiple points during the hearing, Phelan said Trump has voiced concerns to him about corrosion on Navy warships.
“President Trump has texted me numerous times, very late at night, sometimes after one in the morning [about] rusty ships or ships in a yard, asking me, ‘What am I doing about it?’ And I’ve told him, ‘I’m not confirmed yet and have not been able to do anything about it, but I will be very focused on it,’” Phelan recounted.
-- USNI News
https://marinecorpscompasspoints.substack.com/p/compass-points-accountability-09c
