Why the US must enhance training for mariners operating in contested environments
Contracted mariners serving on ships like the Ready Reserve Force’s MV Cape Hudson require improved training to operate effectively in contested environments. (Photo: US Navy)
A US DoD report questioned the adequacy of contested environment training for civilian mariners supporting surge sealift missions and called for improved inter-agency coordination to better prepare them for potential conflict zones.
A report by the US DoD’s Inspector General released earlier this year brought into question the adequacy of training provided to civilian personnel who would directly support ‘surge’ sealift missions.
The report, published in July, acknowledged that sealift is how the US transports most of its military equipment overseas. In the majority of scenarios, that movement is conducted by Military Sealift Command (MSC), which operates around 125 civilian-crewed ships that replenish US Navy vessels, conduct specialised missions, strategically preposition combat cargo around the world, and move military equipment and supplies used by deployed forces and coalition partners.
In performing this
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Training
-
![Australia’s exercise tempo increases as it looks east for national defence]()
Australia’s exercise tempo increases as it looks east for national defence
The Australian Government has focused heavily on the defence of its north-west coast, with plans to move its attack helicopters to the area, as well as base its maritime patrol assets in the region.
-
![Florida firm wins Bell 412 maintenance training contract in El Salvador]()
Florida firm wins Bell 412 maintenance training contract in El Salvador
The deal, ECS’s 12th contract under the Enterprise Training Services Contract (ETSC) programme, will run from late-August 2024 to late-August 2025.
-
![Hadean completes live-virtual training capability for British Army]()
Hadean completes live-virtual training capability for British Army
Populating the World of Training is a project run by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and has been designed to bridge the real and synthetic worlds to provide more enhanced training for UK Armed Forces using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
-
![Fincantieri company launches VR and AR simulator for ROVs]()
Fincantieri company launches VR and AR simulator for ROVs
Designed for the Italian Navy, the simulator was presented at Mine Countermeasures Forces Command in La Spezia.
-
![Encrypted Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation contract boosts US Air Force readiness]()
Encrypted Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation contract boosts US Air Force readiness
The contract, awarded to Cubic Defense, will enable 4th and 5th generation aircraft to train seamlessly together.
-
![Vietnam receives first batch of L-39NG jets and awaits US trainers]()
Vietnam receives first batch of L-39NG jets and awaits US trainers
The 12 L-39NGs jet trainers ordered by Vietnam will replace the country’s fleet of L-39C Albatros jets.
