There are a lot of things we need to do, as Bill Whittle pointed out in his video linked in my post above.
We need to get serious about maintenance and training. They are in a vicious cycle now, where their systems are not operating at full capability due to maintenance related breakdowns, and they are still trying to perform the missions of a much larger navy with a far smaller force, and being stretched thin as the McCain and Fitzgerald collisions amply demonstrate.
And the training, in the US Navy is apparently in crisis (for our navy). That is the only thing I can take away from those mishaps, which I have examined closely.
I have made it clear that I think have co-ed crews on combat ships was a massive mistake, but our country has apparently made the decision that this is a social experiment they are willing to risk casualties and mission failures over, and so that ship has sailed. So be it.
our country has apparently made the decision that this is a social experiment they are willing to risk casualties and mission failures over,
I agree on that 100%