The U.S. Navy’s submarine force is an essential element of our national security. Submarines deter our adversaries. They provide the most survivable arm of the U.S. military’s nuclear triad, capable of a devastating retaliatory strike in the event that China and/or Russia launches a surprise nuclear strike against the nation. However, the Navy’s attack submarines also offer a globally unmatched ability to stealthily spy on, infiltrate special forces against, and destroy enemy targets.
The United States is modernizing its submarine force with Columbia-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines (carrying nuclear weapons) and Virginia-class block IV and block V nuclear attack submarines. Unfortunately, the defense industrial base is very far behind schedule in meeting targets for domestic production of these critical national defense tools. Further complicating matters, the U.S. must provide Australia with three Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines by the early 2030s.
The Navy was scheduled to hit a production rate of 2 submarines a year in 2028. However, the submarine-building program is hard-pressed to produce even 1.5 submarines a year. A major reason why the U.S. is so far behind schedule is labor. Across the economy, the U.S. faces a critical shortage of skilled labor. Labor shortages in ship construction for the Navy are now a national security problem. Fortunately, there is a straightforward solution that also addresses larger political and social concerns that vex U.S. society and the economy.
American men are lagging in the quest for economic prosperity. Most American men don’t go to college. A societal goal should be for every adult, male or female, to have a good, well-paying job. Rather than addressing this matter with the bailouts, tariffs, subsidies, and additional tax expenditures that populists promote, Congress should appropriate money for a national defense workforce program.
The pay for the men and women who build our submarines should be raised. Currently, they make about $30 an hour. At Boeing, the machinists will make about $60 an hour over the time frame of the recently agreed contract. Compensation for building a submarine should be comparable to the wage earned by the men and women who build our commercial aircraft. Commercial aircraft are a precious national asset. Submarines are even more so.
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In addition, the U.S. should launch a national apprentice program to train high school graduates in the skills necessary to build submarines, other Navy ships, and aircraft, both military and civilian. The Defense Department should work with the nation’s community colleges to expand and enhance science, technology, engineering, and math programs.
The defense budget should be used as the platform for helping every American, especially young men who have fallen behind, to climb back on the ladder of economic success and to achieve the American dream. This effort will likely bring major societal benefits as well as national security dividends.
James Rogan is a former U.S. foreign service officer who later worked in finance and law for 30 years. He writes a daily note on the markets, politics, and society. He can be reached at [email protected]
This article was originally published at www.washingtonexaminer.com
