Navy Undersecretary Echoes February Report in Call for ‘Agile’ Education for Future Sailors

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Undersecretary of the Navy Thomas
Modly used much of his breakfast address here May 7 at Sea-Air-Space 2019 to
reinforce the results of an “Education for Seapower” study and report that
called for a more agile education infrastructure that develops Sailors and leaders
for “this era of uncertainty.”

“We cannot take our eye off the ball in developing people,”
he said, adding that young people come to U.S. Navy service with more
technological acumen and expecting a different experience and lifestyle than
prior generations. “We have to think of the kinds of kids we recruit.”

The undersecretary emphasized the February report’s findings
that called for a top-down review of how Sailors and future Navy leaders are
educated, from ROTC programs to basic training and beyond to continuing
education and leadership training. The interview-laden report also showed that
a naval university system should be created and that a new chief learning officer
(CLO) be appointed.

“We need to get that key leader in place,” Modly told the
audience at the breakfast, which was moderated by Francis Rose, host of “Government
Matters.”

When questioned about the qualifications the new CLO should
possess, Modly mentioned the CLO’s background should include some U.S. military
service and experience in a large university system. He also emphasized that
the Navy’s budget for education is small and must be expanded.

Later when questioned, Modly veered off education and mentioned
the need to distribute “lethality” to even the smallest of U.S. Navy ships,
mentioning the frigate class, and even advocated for armed unmanned vessels. “We
need a lot more distributed lethality,” he said.