Questions About an Overextended US Military: An Open Letter to Congress

US Army Recruiter

First off, I am the wife of a retired USN Submarine Chief. So every time we read of an incident at a military base, or collision at sea, we have these conversations. Do they involve things like how overworked is personnel? My husband read the report from the admiralty on the two collisions at sea, and he spoke to this. In case you wonder, this is from the Navy Times, who report the same:

While the Navy has made progress revamping its surface fleet in the aftermath of two fatal warship collisions last year, some sailors based in Japan continue to log 100-hour weeks, often going without much sleep, a government watchdog reported Wednesday.

Manning shortages, maintenance and training neglect — plus a bruising operational tempo — all came under public scrutiny last summer after two destroyer collisions in the western Pacific killed 17 sailors assigned to 7th Fleet.

Navy reports also cited fatigue and crew shortages as factors in the twin tragedies involving the destroyers Fitzgerald and John S. McCain and a pair of commercial vessels.

Let me be clear. Military crews usually work harder and longer than their civilian counterparts. This is part of the job and most military personnel know this going in. It starts early, with basic training. However…