Press Releases

Wittman Continues to Push for Reform of Navy Surface Fleet

WASHINGTON- Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1), Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, released this statement following today’s joint briefing with the Readiness Subcommittee titled “Progress Report—Fixing Navy Surface Fleet Readiness:”

“Today, we heard from Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer, Admiral John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, Vice Admiral Richard Brown, and Captain Scott Robertson concerning the way forward for the structure of our surface fleet following the two tragic collisions in the Pacific. From my vantage point, the Navy is taking steps in the right direction. Specifically, I applaud the Navy’s efforts in regard to Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW), Go/No Go assessments to ensure standardization and quality, and progress toward Strategic Readiness Review, as well as Comprehensive Review recommendations.

“However, I’d also like to see more. Even with the adopted revisions, surface warfare officers are still only allotted 25% of the training time that their submarine and aviation counterparts receive. To me, the system ensures our surface warfare community over promises and under executes. While the Navy is taking steps in the right direction, I continue to be concerned that the systematic reforms we are undertaking will not adequately right the ship.

“I made it clear, yet again, that my subcommittee is going to continue to drive toward accountability and providing solutions to the systemic problems that face the surface warfare community today. I look forward to our continued discussions with the Navy on this important issue.”

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is the Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

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