Introduction
As Director of Americans for a Stronger Navy and a former U.S. Navy destroyer sailor, I’ve seen firsthand what makes our Navy exceptional. I’ve also seen how easy it can be to feel discouraged. Budget constraints, shipbuilding delays, political noise—it all adds up. And in the background, China continues its rapid naval expansion, flexing not only hardware but strategy.
But let me say this clearly: while China may build more ships, what it can’t copy—or steal—is the heart of our Navy. What it can’t replicate is what truly gives our sea power its edge.
The U.S. Navy’s Real Strength
The strength of the U.S. Navy isn’t just in ships.
It’s in people.
People who are free to think, free to speak up, and free to challenge decisions in pursuit of doing what’s right.
It’s in trust—earned over decades with allies who sail beside us, not because they’re forced to, but because they believe in the mission.
It’s in adaptability—the kind that comes from decentralized thinking, empowered leaders, and a culture where initiative is encouraged.
Why Authoritarian Systems Can’t Keep Up
Xi Jinping has purged officers, scripted wargames, and centralized power in ways that might look like control from the outside. But inside? It creates brittleness. Fear stifles creativity. Commanders hesitate. Subordinates follow orders instead of leading.
You can’t purge your way to innovation.
You can’t centralize your way to resilience.
And you certainly can’t program moral courage.
Our Navy’s Moral Advantage
What the U.S. Navy brings to the world stage is more than might—it’s purpose. We don’t sail to conquer. We sail to deter. To protect global trade. To keep the sea lanes open. To reassure allies. To render aid when disaster strikes. And yes—to show up when it matters most.
That’s why our Navy is trusted.
That’s why it matters.
And that’s why no regime—no matter how disciplined, industrialized, or well-funded—can ever truly match us.
Why Americans Should Care
In a world where authoritarian states are rewriting the rules, America needs a Navy that’s not just large—but good. Not just present—but trusted.
And that trust doesn’t come from numbers. It comes from what we stand for.
Final Thought
So yes—China may field more ships. But they’re missing the one thing you can’t mass-produce:
freedom.
And when the moment of crisis comes, that’s what will make the difference.
To support our mission and help educate the public on why a strong, principled U.S. Navy matters, visit StrongerNavy.org.
And be sure to check out our new educational series—featuring insights from veterans, historians, and national security experts—designed to help Americans understand the strategic, economic, and moral stakes of sea power in the 21st century.
Bill