Thousands of sailors soon will be forced ashore permanently, once the U.S. Navy decides who to discharge into the ailing civilian economy.

 

Because of the weak job market, fewer sailors have been leaving the service. Only 28% are leaving after their first enlistment. This has left the Navy with more personnel than it needs, and forced the brass into deciding who to boot out.

 

In the coming weeks, the service plans to review 16,000 personnel files and discharge 3,000 sailors, or about 1% of the total force. In addition, 240 commanders and captains will be pushed into early retirement. This is the first time that sailors with lower levels of experience have been considered for involuntary retirement.

 

Sailors with nuclear training need not worry about the moves, due to the Navy’s need for men and women who can operate nuclear reactors and the absence of excess personnel in the submarine fleet.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Navy Has a Problem: Too Many Personnel (by Jennifer McDermott, The Day, Connecticut)