The United States Navy says its not the size of the fleet, but how you use it

The US Navy says the size of its fleet is just fine, thank you, and to stop counting its ships and start thinking about the its skill in using them.  “Presence, not size, matters” – or at least so says a new Navy slogan.

Two small thumbs up!
A Ralph Fresco/Getty Images image

– News from elsewhere covered by Quincy Quarry.

The United States Navy says its not the size of the fleet, but how you use it.

With tension building in the Straits of Hormuz building in the wake of recently attacks on foreign oil tankers allegedly committed by Iran, Quincy Quarry’s also snarky brethren at DuffleBlog.com have published an article questioning the potency of the United States Navy.

The United States Navy currently has about 290 ships, significantly smaller than China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (“PLAN”), with over 300 vessels, plus several hundred more operated by the China Coast Guard.

Even so, the US Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson recently said that the best measure of sea power employment effectiveness is “how you use it.”

Freud engaging in envy while smoking a cigar.
Image via AZ quotes

Conversely, naval analyst Norm Marpol called this viewpoint an overcompensation for inadequacies as a result of “fleet envy.”

Commander Ward Burke, a staff officer with DESRON 9, disagrees with the naysayers. “Sure, the PLAN has a lot of width and depth,” Burke says.  “But they’re unskilled in maneuvering and seamanship.  They can’t get the job done if they can’t use their tools.”

“You can’t just slap your d*ck — er, your ship — on the water and expect it to perform,” he added.

Launching an explosive load while diving deep
Image via The National Interest

The Russian Navy also has about 300 ships, including a lot of “big, powerful submarines capable of penetrating our most sensitive regions,” Burke said.

Even so, the Russian Navy is also known for the limited duration of its operations.

“What good is the size of their fleet if they have no time on station?” asked Burke.

Burke added that “a lot of people” know that smaller-than-average navies properly used in the right setting are often more effective than large fleets.

Even so, some naval theorists disagree with Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson’s sentiments.

Missing the boat, can’t find it – whatever….
Image via theinscribermag.com

“You know who says that the size of a navy doesn’t matter?” asks Professor Sherri Higgins of the RAND Corporation,  “Countries that have small navies, that’s who.  The best approach is to combine a large fleet with effective and sensitive employment.  As usual the Navy is missing the boat.”

Higgins added, “France thought size didn’t matter until Britain’s Admiral Nelson handed them their asses at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.  Nelson had only one eye and one working arm, but he had a fleet of big ships and he knew how to use them, if you know what I mean and I think you do.”

The USS John S. McCain out crushing before its collision with a cargo ship
A US Navy file photo

Also, rumor has it that senior Navy leaders are regularly attending self-affirmation therapy groups in private meeting rooms at various Officers Clubs.

Nevertheless, the Navy appears unwilling to bend, Burke concluded,  “We’re totally satisfied with our smaller than average fleet.  We really are.  like, really.”

Source: Navy says its not the size of the fleet, but how you use it

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