Charting the Course: Navigating the Future of American Naval Power – Inaugural Discussion

‘Charting the Course: Navigating the Future of American Naval Power‘

‘Welcome to Charting the Course: Navigating the Future of American Naval Power’ a podcast series that dives into the past, present, and future of the U.S. Navy and its impact on the world. This is the inaugural discussion of our series where we will introduce the main themes, topics and the speakers that we will explore in the coming episodes.

Before we dive into our inaugural discussion, we want to remind you that this series is not just a one-time event, but a continuous conversation that we started in our pre event blog post. In that post, we introduced the main themes, topics, and speakers that we will explore in this series, as well as the historical context and relevance of the U.S. Navy’s role and contribution in the global maritime commons, we also invited you to join us in this journey of learning and discovery, and to share your thoughts and questions with us and our guests.

If you haven’t read our pre event blog post, “Echoes of History: Steering the Future in Charting the Course: Navigating the Future of American Naval Power” yet, we highly recommend you to do so, as it will give you a better understanding of what this series is all about and why it matters.

Stay informed. Sign up by using our contact and we’ll keep you posted.

I’m Bill Cullifer, the founder of the Americans for a Stronger Navy, a non-profit organization that advocates for a robust and resilient naval force. In this series, ‘Charting the Course: Navigating the Future of American Naval Power’ is an essential series that addresses the pressing challenges the U.S. Navy confronts in an era of evolving global threats.

As the United States navigates shifting geopolitical dynamics and grapples with a rising Chinese military threat, the challenges faced by the Navy have never been more critical to our national security.

Together, we’ll explore how the Navy has shaped and been shaped by the history, culture, and politics of the United States and its allies and adversaries. We’ll also discuss the current and emerging challenges and opportunities that the Navy faces in a complex and dynamic global environment, and how it can chart a course for success and security in the 21st century and beyond.

Joining me today is Dale A. Jenkins, the author of “Diplomats and Admirals” and a senior advisor at the Americans for a Stronger Navy. We have invited leaders and experts in naval and national defense to make podcasts with us that will be posted on our website on a weekly schedule. This is a transcript of the inaugural discussion.

Speakers and Sessions

Episode 1: Dr. Steven Wills, Navalist for the Center for Maritime Strategy at the Navy League of the United States. –  The Anatomy of Naval Strate – December 28, 2023

Dive deep into the world of naval strategy with Dr Steven Wills, who brings a keen eye to the intricacies of strategy development, its challenges, and the integration of diverse naval capabilities. This session promises a thorough exploration of what constitutes U.S. Navy strategy, its objectives, and how it shapes the nation’s maritime future.

Episode 2: Dr. Bruce Jones, Senior Fellow – Foreign Policy, Center for East Asia Policy Studies, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Brookings Institution. – Maritime Power Through History and Future – January 4, 2024

Join Dr. Bruce Jones for a historical and global perspective on maritime power. This session connects past and present maritime dynamics, exploring the influence of trade, climate change, and geopolitical shifts. Gain insights into how historical narratives of maritime prowess inform the current dynamics of power and influence in the global maritime domain.

Episode 3: Dr. Sam Tangredi, Leidos Chair of Future Warfare Studies and professor of national, naval, and maritime strategy at the U.S. Naval War College. January 11, 2024.

Embark on a technological journey with Dr. Sam Tangredi, an authority on the integration of AI in naval warfare. This session addresses how AI, big data, and human-machine interfaces are revolutionizing naval operations. Learn about the ethical, legal, and strategic dimensions of AI in the Navy and its profound impact on future naval force structure and capabilities.

Episode 4: Dr. Scott Savitz, Senior Engineer at the RAND Corporation – Innovation at Sea: Non-Lethal Weapons and Uncrewed Platforms – .January 18, 2024.

Explore the cutting-edge of naval innovation with Dr. Scott Savitz, focusing on non-lethal weapons and uncrewed platforms. Understand how these technologies are reshaping naval strategy and operations, their potential risks, and their role in maintaining strategic advantage over global rivals. This session promises insights into the future of naval warfare and national security.

Episode 5: Bryan Clark, senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute – The Technological Horizon of Naval Warfare – February 1st, 2024.

Delve into the future with as we examine the broad implications of emerging technologies like AI, big data, machine learning, and more in naval warfare. This session covers the integration challenges these technologies pose, their strategic impact, and their role in enhancing interoperability and effectiveness with global allies.⁰

Episode 6: Seth Cropsey, President Yorktown Institute. – Navigating Today’s Naval Challenges – February 8, 2024.

Join us as we explore the complexities of modern naval power with Seth Cropsey, a seasoned expert with extensive experience in the U.S. Naval and Department of Defense realms. This session offers an in-depth look at the current challenges and opportunities facing the Navy, particularly in the context of global rivalries. Discover the strategic insights that set the stage for a comprehensive understanding of contemporary naval dynamics.

Episode 7: Jon Rennie, co-founder, president, and CEO of Peak Demand Inc., – Leadership and Culture in Modern Naval Power –February 15th, 2024.

Conclude our series with Jon Rennie, focusing on the crucial elements of leadership, culture, and the balance between tradition and modernization within the Navy. This session highlights the importance of leadership in navigating the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in naval power, offering a holistic view of the organizational dynamics at play.

Stay informed. Sign up by using our contact and we’ll keep you posted.

Transcript

Bill: 

Hello and welcome to ‘Charting the Course: Navigating the Future of American Naval Power’, a podcast series brought to you by Americans for a Stronger Navy, a non-profit group that advocates for: 

• • A robust and modern naval force that can deter and defeat threats.

• • Protection and promotion of trade.

• • Support of allies and partners around the globe.

I’m Bill Cullifer, founder of Americans for a Stronger Navy and your podcast host.

As a former Us Navy Destroyer Sailor, technology sector community leader, and organizer, I hope to bring a wealth of experience to the conversation and our mission for a stronger Navy.

Alongside me is Dale A. Jenkins, a noted Naval historian and the author of “Diplomats and Admirals”, a comprehensive and investigative research project into WW2 Naval history at Midway. 

Dale serves on:

• • The Samuel Eliot Morison Committee of the Naval Order of the United States in New York. 

• • And is also a Regional Director of the Naval War College Foundation.

• • Dale also serves as Senior Advisor to the Americans for a Stronger Navy. 

Bill: Hello Dale and welcome to the podcast series.

Dale:  Thanks Bill. happy to be here.

Bill:  Thanks Dale. 

The purpose and goal of this series is to:

• • provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges, and opportunities of the U.S. Navy 

• • and its role in advancing the nation’s interests and values in the world.

This is an essential series that addresses:

• •  The pressing challenges the U.S. Navy confronts in an era of evolving global threats. 

As the United States navigates shifting geopolitical dynamics and grapples with:

• • A rising Chinese military threat in the Taiwan Strait,

• • Iranian proxies in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf,

• • Other adversaries in our own hemisphere, the Navy’s role has never been more critical to our national security.

In this 8 – episode series, we will go beyond mere reporting, diving deep into the heart of these challenges to shed light on their implications and the decisions that will shape the future of American naval power. 

We will not only report the facts, but also analyze the implications. We will not only describe the challenges, but also explore the opportunities. We will not only look at the past, but also envision the future.

We believe that:

• •  Understanding these challenges is paramount, as the U.S. Navy is not only a symbol of our nation’s strength but also a key instrument in maintaining global stability.

We hope you will join us for this exciting and informative journey, as we chart the course for the future of American naval power.

Bill: Dale, over to you for additional detail about the sessions. 

Dale:  Thanks Bill

We have invited leaders and experts in naval and national defense to make podcasts with us that will be posted on our website on a weekly schedule. These weekly podcasts include, Bryan Clark: Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute, Seth Cropsey: President of the Yorktown Institute, Dr. Bruce Jones: Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Jon S. Rennie: US Navy Veteran, Business Leader, Author, and Speaker, Dr. Scott Savitz: Senior Engineer at the RAND Corporation, Dr. Sam Tangredi: Leidos Chair of Future Warfare Studies at the U.S. Naval War College. Dr. Steven Wills: Navalist for the Center for Maritime Strategy at the Navy League of the United States.

These podcasts provide in-depth analyses on the latest weapons systems, artificial intelligence (AI), current worldwide national security strategy, force structure and adequacy of naval forces, innovation of new weapon systems and the leadership qualities needed to achieve our naval and national security goals. Vast majority of participants are former Naval officers who have taken their experience in the Navy to new endeavors. 

Our podcasts will be one-hour zoom sessions, with a post-show summary with Bill and myself. 

Future podcasts will continue to 8 and analyze current and future threats and challenges from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. We will be alert for other potential threats. Defense spending and budget, weapon systems, alliances and partnerships, trade and economic policies, human rights and democracy promotion will also be explored. 

We are aware of the evolution of the U.S. Navy, not only as a tradition but as a means of drawing on historical events and precedents as they may illuminate current circumstances.

Dale:  Bill back to you to explain Why This Matters

Bill:  Thanks Dale

In this section, we will explain why this podcast series matters and what we hope to accomplish with it.

Why does this matter? 

Because the U.S. Navy is vital for the national security and foreign policy of the United States. 

Naval forces cannot be strengthened overrnight, or even in several years. 

The Navy must be prepared in advance and have considered strategies to deal with unexpected crises. Crises cannot simply be dealt with by hasty mobilizations or extended deployments, and then written off as cost-free. 

Such actions take a toll in maintenance, readiness, and, perhaps most important, 

the commitment of officers and sailors to a career that makes strenuous demands on normal human life patterns  during periods usually described as peacetime.

The decisions and actions that are taken or not taken on these issues have profound implications and consequences for the future of our nation and the world.values in the global commons, such as the oceans, the air, the space, and the cyberspace, where no one country has sovereignty but everyone has a stake.

The U.S. Navy ensures the freedom 

According to a recent survey by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, 83% of Americans agree that a strong U.S. Navy is critical to protecting our country and our allies, and 79% agree that a strong U.S. Navy is critical to ensuring free trade around the world.

We created this series because we believe that there is a need and demand for a comprehensive and timely assessment of the U.S. military strength and security, especially in the maritime domain.

We also believe that there is a lack and a gap of public awareness and education on these issues, 

and that they are relevant and urgent for the security and prosperity of the United States and its allies.

We hope that this series will inform and educate you about the critical issues that affect the U.S. Navy and its role in the world, and inspire and engage you to take action and make a difference.

We also aim to:

• • Provide factual and balanced information and analysis on the current state and future direction of the U.S. Navy, and the opportunities and challenges that it faces in the 21st century.

•  To present diverse and credible perspectives and opinions from experts and stakeholders on the issues and topics that affect the U.S. Navy and its role in the world, and to foster a constructive and respectful dialogue and debate among them.

•  To offer practical and actionable suggestions and recommendations on how the U.S. Navy can improve its performance and effectiveness, and how the government and the public can support and sustain the U.S. Navy and its mission.

Bill:  Dale, over to you. 

Learning Objectives and What We Want Our Audience to Know

•  The U.S. Navy is a vital instrument of national security and foreign policy, and it faces many challenges and opportunities in the 21st century.

•  The U.S. Navy needs a larger and more capable fleet, which can deter and defeat potential adversaries, protect and promote trade and commerce, and support and strengthen allies and partners, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

•  The U.S. Navy requires more investment and support from the government and the public, to ensure that it maintains its military edge and deterrence capability, and to address the gaps and risks that it faces in terms of capacity, capability, readiness, and modernization.

•  The U.S. Navy is a force for good in the world, and it upholds and advances the values and interests of the United States and its allies, such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and peace.

What’s Next – Current status 

•  In the next episode, we will dive into the topic of the U.S. Navy’s fleet size and composition, and why it matters for the national security and foreign policy of the United States. We will examine the current and projected state of the U.S. Navy’s fleet, the challenges and opportunities that it faces in meeting the 355-ship goal set by Congress, and the trade-offs and choices that are involved in building and maintaining a larger and more capable fleet.

Dale:  Over to you Bill

BIll: 

Thank you Dale and thank you for listening to this introduction episode of Charting the Course: Navigating the Future of American Naval Power. We hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. Please follow our podcast on your favorite platform, and share it with your friends and family. We would love to hear from you, so please send us your comments and questions to our email address or leave us a voice message on our website. We look forward to hearing from you and engaging with you in this important conversation.

Stay informed. Sign up by using our contact and we’ll keep you posted.

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