Whenever I get the chance to meet with members of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, they always want to know what it’s like for today’s Seafarers.
That was the case again last month, when I spoke to the annual AMMV convention in Atlantic City. Especially on this occasion, I was proud to tell them that despite tremendous changes in maritime training and shipboard technology, at least one thing remains constant. Just like when they were at sea many years ago, the U.S. Merchant Marine today is proudly upholding our role as America’s Fourth Arm of Defense.
I made those remarks just a few days after participating in a shipboard ceremony aboard the Cape Washington in Baltimore honoring our members who sailed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Believe me, the recognition from our government and military is appreciated, not only by active Seafarers but also by our brothers and sisters in the AMMV, many of whom sailed with the SIU during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The retirees know from experience that in years past, such gratitude wasn’t always so apparent.
Today, it’s a different story. Because of the solid cooperation throughout our industry — including with our friends at the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, the Maritime Administration, the U.S. Transportation Command, the Military Sealift Command, the Military Traffic Management Command, the Coast Guard and elsewhere — so many key people understand what the merchant marine means to our national security. They know that reliable, efficient sealift, carried out by U.S. crews on U.S.-flag ships, is absolutely vital to our armed forces. There’s no other explanation for the fact that our crews returning from the war are being greeted with medals and well-earned words of praise, both from the military and from the administration.
I say “well-earned” because the U.S. Merchant Marine provided exceptionally capable, dependable sealift during Operation Iraqi Freedom. We crewed up every ship when called upon. We sailed into harm’s way to support our troops. We put on our anti-chemical gear when the alarms sounded, and we continued doing our jobs without interruption or complaint. We worked side-by-side with the military personnel assigned to the vessels, and we did so with professionalism and respect.
A special word of acknowledgement goes out to the Seafarers who lined up for the inoculations required by the government to sail aboard ships mobilized for the war. Less than one percent of our members who initially signed aboard the ships decided against taking the shots. That shows the commitment and patriotism of our membership.
When I discussed the merchant marine’s role in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the AMMV delegates and officials, their faces lit up like those of proud parents. Even though many of them don’t personally know any active SIU members, they keep an eye on our work. On the heels of the war, they responded with a collective nod of approval. Coming from them, it means a lot.
As more and more ships return home, the recognition our crews are receiving is heartening. But it’s also important that we continue looking ahead. After the Persian Gulf War a dozen years ago, the Pentagon took a close, hard look at our nation’s sealift capacity. One result of that examination is the current LMSR fleet, built or converted since the mid-1990s. Each of those 19 U.S.-flag ships sailed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were valuable tools in the capable hands of U.S. crews.
A similar study of our sealift assets in Iraqi Freedom should take place immediately. Do we have enough tankers? Enough RO/RO capability? Enough tonnage and manpower to endure a longer conflict, or perhaps even multiple wars that could happen at the same time? With the Iraq war as a guide, the answers should be attainable.
At the end of World War II, many a leader told our mariners, “We couldn’t have done it without you.” Today’s crews are hearing the same message. Those sentiments reinforce the belief that, as a nation, we must take every step necessary to ensure a strong U.S. fleet. We must do so in part because there will be another war—next year, in five years, or whenever. History says such conflicts are inevitable.
And when the next one rolls around, there is no doubt whatsoever that the U.S. Merchant Marine will be there, as we have since the Revolutionary War. Ready to support our troops. Ready to deliver the goods. Ready to do our part to ensure victory.
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