In a surprising move, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated John Phelan, an outsider with no military or civilian leadership experience in the Navy, to be the next secretary of the Navy. While some officials and defense experts acknowledge the need for a disruptor in the Navy, concerns have been raised about Phelan’s lack of experience and how it may hinder his ability to achieve Trump’s goals.
Phelan, who is a major campaign donor to Trump and the founder of Rugger Management LLC, a private investment firm, has primarily been involved with military affairs through his advisory position on the Spirit of America, a non-profit organization that supports Ukraine and Taiwan’s defense. His nomination comes at a critical time for the Navy, which is facing challenges such as stretched deployments and a shrinking fleet while China’s naval forces continue to grow.
Although not all service secretaries have prior military experience, Phelan would be the first secretary of the Navy without such experience since 2006. This raises questions about whether someone without military or defense civilian background can effectively lead an organization as complex as the Navy.
Stacie Pettyjohn, a senior fellow and director of the defense program at the Center for a New American Security, explains that leading a service like the Navy requires understanding its distinct cultures, subcultures, and bureaucratic interests. She emphasizes that changing plans within the Navy necessitates navigating through various formal processes and having an understanding of its Byzantine landscape.
While Trump may be seeking service branch heads who align with his ideas without pushing back, experts argue that Phelan’s lack of experience could create issues and delays. The Navy cannot afford to lose time considering its preparations for potential confrontations with China over Taiwan. Brad Bowman from the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies highlights that success or failure in addressing key problems within the Navy may have significant implications for peace and war in the Taiwan Strait and beyond.
Trump has long advocated for expanding the Navy to a 350-ship fleet since his 2016 presidential campaign. However, he has faced challenges in realizing this goal due to difficulties in shipbuilding and delays in the congressional budget process. Currently, the fleet consists of just under 300 battle force ships directly involved in combat operations.
Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, points out that the Navy is stretched thin with deployments across Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific. The service faces a shrinking fleet, expanded overseas commitments, and an uncertain budget environment. The Marine Corps’ need for amphibious warships further complicates matters.
Each time deployments are extended, ripple effects occur. Ships do not receive scheduled maintenance, and service members become tired of unpredictable schedules and prolonged separations from their families.
Being a service secretary involves not only responding to the White House but also appeasing Congress through frequent hearings on Capitol Hill. It requires shaping budget requests, addressing service member issues, attending conferences, and fulfilling speaking engagements. These tasks demand nuanced understanding of the branch being led because any major changes within the branches often require lengthy reviews of directives and past policies. Likewise, making changes to weapons systems involves navigating through lengthy contract award challenges.
Cancian asserts that money is a significant problem for the Navy. Even with potential increases in defense budgets, there may only be limited funds available for shipbuilding. If budgets remain steady or decrease, it could pose a major challenge as the fleet continues to shrink.
While Trump’s appointments suggest his intention to cut through red tape by selecting individuals like SpaceX founder Elon Musk to co-lead a nongovernmental Department of Government Efficiency, experts believe that Phelan’s lack of defense experience could hinder progress within the Navy. Learning how to navigate power dynamics within defense agencies will take time, and Congress plays a crucial role in approving changes to regulations and processes that affect the military.
As John Phelan prepares for his role as secretary of the Navy, concerns about his lack of military experience persist. The success or failure of his leadership will greatly impact the Navy’s ability to address its challenges effectively and maintain its position as a global naval power.
In conclusion, Trump’s decision to nominate a non-military candidate for the secretary of the Navy raises questions about whether someone without military or defense civilian experience can effectively lead such a complex organization. As the Navy faces critical challenges and strives to expand its fleet, it remains to be seen how Phelan’s lack of experience will impact his ability to navigate through bureaucratic hurdles and achieve Trump’s goals for the Navy.