On November 8, Stephen Rodriguez, senior advisor at Forward Defense, published a piece in Defense News entitled “The US Navy is at risk of losing vital shipbuilding skills.” Rodriguez reflects on the state of the maritime defense industrial base and its struggles recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce to meet the challenges of increased demand. He highlights the work of the Navy and non-governmental actors to level-up the maritime defense industrial base workforce, noting, “if we work together, locally and nationally – across government, businesses and community – we can boost the American economy through a resurgence of manufacturing.”
Forward Defense, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, generates ideas and connects stakeholders in the defense ecosystem to promote an enduring military advantage for the United States, its allies, and partners. Our work identifies the defense strategies, capabilities, and resources the United States needs to deter and, if necessary, prevail in future conflict.