U.S Coast Guard Faces Workforce Shortage Reducing Active Fleet Of Cutters

As we see the Irasel-Hamas war raging and threatening to erupt into a broader regional conflict across the Middle East, the US military encounters issues in satisfying its recruitment goals.

The shortfall is on full display within the US Coast Guard, which lacks 3,500 service members, about 10% of the enlisted workforce, per Forbes.

Adm. Steven Poulin, the Vice Commandant, stated that the service has to readjust its operations and focus on lifesaving missions, national security, and safeguarding of the Marine Transportation System owing to staffing issues.

The statement mentions that the Coast Guard can’t maintain the same level of operations with the current shortfall – they can’t function the same with so much less.

Conducting the missions is inherently risky, and going ahead without adequate crew puts members and the American public at heightened risk, per Adm. Linda Fagan and Jones, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Heath.

Forbes reported that the 3,500-member shortfall would result in 10 cutters expected to go out of service, five tugs now being shifted to seasonal activation, and 29 boat stations closing down.

Bringing down operating cutters comes during the worst hour when the demand for service is high in the coastal waters off the US, particularly amid the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

None of this would be a surprise. It has been explained repeatedly that the US military faces challenges in meeting its recruitment goals.

Reference- Talk Markets

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Source: Maritime Shipping News