President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, lacks military experience and civilian leadership roles within the service. While the Navy is in need of change, experts caution that Phelan's background may hinder his ability to achieve Trump's objectives.
Phelan, a major campaign donor to Trump, founded Rugger Management LLC and has limited exposure to the military through an advisory role with a non-profit supporting defense efforts in Ukraine and Taiwan.
Although not all service secretaries have military backgrounds, Phelan would be the first Navy secretary without such experience since 2006. The Navy, facing global deployments and a shrinking fleet amid China's naval expansion, requires strong leadership to navigate these challenges.
Experts emphasize the complexity of leading a service branch without Pentagon experience, citing the intricate bureaucratic landscape and formal decision-making processes within the military.
Trump's goal of a 350-ship Navy faces obstacles in shipbuilding challenges and budget uncertainties. With under 300 battle force ships currently in the fleet, the Navy struggles to meet global commitments while maintaining readiness.
The next Navy secretary must address overseas demands, budget constraints, and fleet maintenance issues. The Marine Corps' need for amphibious warships and extended ship deployments highlight the strain on naval forces.
Service secretaries must engage with Congress, manage budget requests, and oversee policy changes, all while understanding the nuances of their respective branches. Any alterations to weapons systems or procurement processes involve lengthy reviews and contract challenges.
Phelan's lack of defense and Pentagon experience may impede his ability to drive significant change within the Navy. While Trump aims to streamline processes, congressional regulations and budget constraints pose significant hurdles for the service secretary.
Despite his personal relationship with the president, Phelan's learning curve in navigating defense policy and Pentagon dynamics may delay progress in addressing the Navy's pressing issues.
