Last modified Thu., October 25, 2007 - 11:25 AM
Originally created Thursday, October 25, 2007

Service chiefs present strategy for new maritime era

From the Department of the Navy

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead addresses the International Seapower Symposium at the Naval War College where the first unified maritime strategy, signed by all three of the sea services, was unveiled Oct. 18. The new strategy calls for further integration of U.S. maritime forces as well as those of our allies.
MC2 (AW) Kevin S. O'Brien

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, joined by Gen. James Conway, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), presented the new maritime strategy known as "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower" to hundreds of attendees, including representatives from more than 100 nations, during the International Seapower Symposium at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Oct. 17. This is the first time a unified maritime strategy has been signed by all three of the sea services.

"This strategy represents a new vision for the 21st Century. It codifies longstanding challenges and reflects a commitment by the maritime services to work cooperatively with friends, partners and allies to realize a shared vision of mutual security, stability and prosperity," said Roughead. "It is fitting that this strategy debuts publicly before an international audience, because one of the central ideas of the strategy is the critical importance of cooperative relationships in the maritime domain."

"The result of over a year's work among the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, the strategy seeks to apply maritime power to the crucial responsibility of protecting our vital interests in an increasingly interconnected world," Roughead continued. "Signed by me and my USMC and USCG counterparts, the strategy draws our services even closer together in protecting and sustaining our American way of life." "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower" is a collaboratively developed strategy, begun two years ago and reflecting international and national contributions, that commits maritime forces with their inherent flexibility to the crucial task of protecting vital interests in an increasingly interconnected and changing world. Signed by the service chiefs of the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, the unified maritime strategy establishes an unprecedented level of cooperation.

New strategy is a historical first
A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower represents a historical first. Never before have the maritime forces of the United States - the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, come together to create a unified maritime strategy. This strategy stresses an approach that integrates seapower with other elements of national power, as well as those of our friends and allies. It describes how seapower will be applied around the world to protect our way of life, as we join with other like-minded nations to protect and sustain the global, inter-connected system through which we prosper. Our commitment to protecting the homeland and winning our Nation's wars is matched by a corresponding commitment to preventing war.
Our citizens were involved in development of this strategy through a series of public forums known as the "Conversations with the Country." Three themes dominated these discussions: our people want us to remain strong; they want us to protect them and our homeland, and they want us to work with partners around the world to prevent war. These themes, coupled with rigorous academic research, analysis and debate, led to a comprehensive strategy designed to meet the expectations and needs of the American people.
A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower binds our services more closely together than they have ever been before to advance the prosperity and security of our nation. The demands of an uncertain world and the enduring interests of the American people require nothing less.

Collaborative partnerships

Development of the strategy included interactions with national and international leaders in business, military, civic organizations, think tanks and war colleges. It was unveiled to nearly 100 Navy, Coast Guard and Marine personnel at the International Seapower Symposium.

Effective execution is founded on a collective responsibility to develop and expand trust, not only among leaders, but between young officers and Sailors who are next generation leaders. They are the ones who will create the strategic relationships with our partners worldwide.

Through collective security efforts, maritime forces will build confidence and trust among nations while focusing on common threats and mutual interests in an open, multi-polar and changing world environment.

Global system at work

The maritime strategy ensures execution of the global system at work everyday, where change is constant. Change means opportunity for our maritime forces to work more closely together to protect and extend security and prosperity, which depend on free use of the seas. Because strong markets require security, maritime forces are vital - prosperity rests on how well we do our jobs.

Clearly articulating that our sea services operate across the full spectrum of operations, the strategy raises the prevention of war to a level equal to the conduct of war. We believe that preventing wars is as important as winning wars.

The strategy addresses the balance of capabilities of our maritime forces and reaffirms our core capabilities of forward presence, deterrence, sea control and power projection. It also recognizes the need for expanded capabilities of maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Security, stability and seapower

Security: Maritime forces are first line of defense with ability to deploy quickly and reach difficult locations.

Stability: 70 percent of the world is covered by water, 80 percent of the world lives on or near the coastline and 90 percent of our commerce sails across our waterways. Any disruption to the global system caused by instability has a direct impact on the American quality of life.

Seapower: The unifying force and common denominator that enables global security, stability and prosperity is seapower.

The maritime strategy provides for the right balance of forces and capabilities. A key element of this strategy is trust which cannot be surged. Trust must be built over time so that our strategic interests and those of friends, partners and allies are continuously considered while mutual understanding, respect and cooperation are promoted. As it has always been, these critical tasks will be carried out by our people -- the key to success in any military strategy -- and they will make the difference in its implementation.

"The strategy will serve as the touchstone of my tenure as CNO, and it will guide our policies and investments. All hands must read it, talk about it, and engage each other and your leadership in discussion. The strategy is available from download at www.navy.mil, and printed copies will be mailed soon. As I visit the fleet in the coming months, I look forward to engaging you in an ongoing dialogue about our new strategy and our Navy's future," remarked Roughead.