A Hollow Navy

When the Cold War ended. the U.S. Navy consisted of 594 ships. By 9/11 the U.S. Navy consisted of only 316 ships. According to the Naval Fleet Register, the U.S. Navy consists of 282 ships, of which 242 are active in commission. Despite the shrinking size of the U.S. Navy, it is being called upon to deploy more frequently than ever before. 

Since the cold war, the Navy has been cut in half, but the number of ships deployed overseas has remained almost unchanged: 100. That means less time for crews to train and more wear and tear on the ships themselves. In 2014 the average sailor spent 108 hours a week standing duty. Is it any wonder that the Navy has started wreaking ships into things? 

I think not.

Seablindness, judging by the sample, is an excellent book that tackles this important subject and more. I look forward to reading it in the coming weeks.