Trump picks John Phelan, a military outsider, to lead the Navy

In late November 2016, President-elect Donald Trump nominated John Phelan to serve as secretary of the Navy. Phelan, who has no military experience and has not held a civilian leadership position in the Navy, was recognized as a significant donor to Trump's campaign and is the founder of Rugger Management LLC, a private investment firm. This move raised immediate concerns among defense experts and military officials regarding Phelan's capability to lead the Navy, particularly in light of the growing demands placed on the service branches due to global deployments. The Navy is already stretched thin, and experts fear that the absence of experience in the Pentagon may hinder Phelan's ability to fulfill Trump's objectives effectively. Defense strategy specialists highlighted the urgent need for change within the Navy, arguing that the service needs leadership that can navigate the complex bureaucracy to expand the fleet and address budget constraints. The Navy, currently operating with just under 300 combat vessels, is facing pressures from commitments worldwide, including Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific. As a result, there is an ongoing debate among military circles about how best to manage these commitments while dealing with a shrinking fleet and a challenging budgetary environment. Moreover, officials noted that the new secretary would be stepping into the role with significant challenges. The Marine Corps has requested additional amphibious warships to maintain strategic advantages, adding further pressure on resources. It remains uncertain whether Phelan, without a solid foundation in defense, will be able to navigate these issues effectively or push back against the prevailing bureaucracy within Congress that could impact military operations. While Trump’s intent might be to disrupt the usual practices within the Navy and streamline operations, many analysts agree that the lack of prior military experience in the leadership role poses risks. The stakes are high given the Navy's critical role in U.S. defense strategy, and many are wary of potential delays and setbacks that may arise from Phelan's appointment. A consensus forms around the idea that although change is necessary, it can only be effectively implemented by someone with a deep understanding of military operations and institutional processes.