Navy Plans Major Overhaul Of Amphibious Readiness Cycles

The United States Navy and Marine Corps are proposing a significant overhaul of their amphibious readiness cycles, aiming to improve the preparedness of these critical vessels. The new proposal, backed by Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, seeks to extend the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP) from 36 months to 56 months, allowing for two workup cycles, two integrated training cycles, and two deployments for every ship.

This change is part of a broader effort to address the challenges facing amphibious readiness, which has been a subject of concern in recent years. The Navy currently utilizes a 36-month OFRP model, but this proposal aims to provide more flexibility and reduced downtime for these vessels. By extending the deployment cycle, the services hope to reduce the strain on maintenance schedules and force generation models.

The proposal also includes increasing the number of amphibious ships to 40, up from the congressionally mandated 31 ships. This increase is seen as necessary to meet the growing demands of combatant commanders, who are requesting more ARG/MEUs (Amphibious Ready Groups with Marine Expeditionary Units) to support global operations.

The Marine Corps has been vocal about its need for additional amphibious ships, citing the limitations of their current force generation model. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle and other senior leaders have signaled that altering the 36-month model could be beneficial, allowing for more efficient use of resources and reduced overhead.

The Amphibious Force Readiness Board (AFRB), established in March 2024, has been working to evaluate multiple avenues to address amphibious readiness issues. The board’s report highlights the need for a more flexible force generation cycle, one that can accommodate changing operational requirements and emerging threats.

Forty amphibious ships are seen as the optimal number, according to Marine Corps leaders and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle. This number would allow for a persistent 3.0 ARG-MEU presence globally, providing a stable foundation for future operations.

However, the reality is that the current force generation model is not sustainable. Three ARG/MEUs are currently deployed, but Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith has repeatedly stated that presence is not sustainable in its current form. He has noted that combatant commanders are requesting even more ARG/MEUs, but there are not enough ships to meet the demand.

To address this challenge, the services are exploring various options, including optimizing maintenance schedules and force generation models, procuring new ships, and extending the service lives of existing vessels. These efforts aim to increase the size and availability of the amphibious force, providing a more robust capacity for future operations.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has highlighted the challenges facing amphibious ship readiness in recent years. A December 2024 report found that half of the vessels were in “poor condition,” citing issues with spare parts and canceled maintenance as primary causes.

To mitigate these challenges, the Navy and Marine Corps are focusing on improving their logistics and supply chain management. This includes investing in new technologies and processes to enhance maintenance scheduling, inventory management, and personnel training.

The proposed changes demonstrate a commitment to addressing the complexities of amphibious readiness. By extending the OFRP and increasing the number of amphibious ships, the services aim to provide a more flexible and responsive force that can better meet the demands of modern warfare.

Ultimately, the success of this proposal will depend on its ability to address the underlying challenges facing amphibious readiness. By investing in new technologies, processes, and personnel training, the Navy and Marine Corps can build a more sustainable and effective amphibious force that supports global operations for years to come.

The proposed changes represent a significant shift towards improved preparedness and flexibility. By extending the deployment cycle and increasing the number of amphibious ships, these services aim to reduce the strain on maintenance schedules and force generation models, providing a more robust capacity for future operations.

As the services continue to evolve their approach to amphibious readiness, it is essential to prioritize investment in logistics, supply chain management, and personnel training. By doing so, they can build a more sustainable and effective amphibious force that supports global operations for years to come.

The proposed changes also underscore the importance of collaboration between the Navy and Marine Corps. The services must work together to address the challenges facing amphibious readiness, sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources to achieve common goals.

As the United States continues to navigate the complexities of modern warfare, the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ amphibious forces will play a critical role in supporting global operations. By investing in new technologies, processes, and personnel training, these services can build a more sustainable and effective amphibious force that supports the nation’s security interests for years to come.

The proposal to extend the OFRP and increase the number of amphibious ships represents a significant step towards improving amphibious readiness. As the services continue to work towards this goal, it is essential to prioritize collaboration, innovation, and investment in logistics, supply chain management, and personnel training.

By doing so, the Navy and Marine Corps can build a more sustainable and effective amphibious force that supports global operations for years to come. The future of amphibious readiness will depend on the ability of these services to adapt to changing operational requirements and emerging threats, while maintaining a robust capacity for future operations.

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