The goals set by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti in her new fleet-wide guidance may be tough, but they are realistic, the head of the Navy said Thursday.
Franchetti released her America’s Warfighting Navy Navigation Plan on Wednesday. The navigation plan, dubbed “Project 33” after Franchetti being the 33rd CNO, includes goals such as 100 percent rating fill, 100 percent recruiting shipping fill and a 50 percent delayed entry program posture. The plan also calls for an 80 percent combat surge-ready posture for the Navy’s ships and aircraft. The deadline for the goals is 2027.
The goals laid out in the plan were agreed to by the Navy’s admirals, its tech units and the single accountable person responsible for the goal completion, Fanchetti told the audience at a Thursday Maritime Security Dialogue event hosted by Center for Strategic and International Studies and the U.S. Naval Institute. For example, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby is responsible for the reduction of the backlog in maintenance, USNI News reported.
“We are shooting for very high, very tough stretch goals here, and I know that, but the only way we’re going to get there if you set those goals that high and we really execute the strategic discipline that we need to focus on these goals, focus on the things that are in our five plus four, which are the capabilities that we’re going to contribute to the joint workfighting process,” Franchetti said Thursday. “That is what we need to do.”
However, Franchetti’s office did not elaborate on how senior leaders responsible for the goals will be held accountable for meeting the metrics.
“The Project 33 targets are stretch goals – intended to be aspirational, not punitive,” Cmdr. Desiree Frame, spokesperson for the CNO said in a statement to Military.com following the event.
“Over the past two years the Navy has embraced tools and the mindset to deliver more value with the Navy we have while we continue to pursue the Navy we need, which has informed these objectives. Success depends on the exceptional dedication and talent of our Sailors, Navy civilians, industry partners, and allied forces. The single accountable officials will provide periodic updates to CNO on their progress.”
Franchetti’s navigation plan comes nearly a year after took charge of the service. During the Maritime Security Dialogue discussion, the CNO said she spent the first year putting out a list of her priorities and then meeting with the fleet. That document was meant to show the Navy where it is, while “Project 33” advises the Navy as to where it needs to go.
The plan acknowledges the changing geopolitical scene, with China continuing to be the pacing challenge. It also highlights the use of technology seen in other conflicts around the world, including the Russo-Ukraine War, Franchetti said.
The deadline of 2027 comes from Chinese President Xi Jinping’s timeline for a possible invasion of Taiwan, Franchetti said. While the Navy is currently aligned, Franchetti said, pointing to the Navy’s activity in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, it needs to be more ready.
“Basically, push the go button, 80 percent of the fleet is ready to go,” she said.
Deterrence is the Navy’s number one job, she said.
“And we do [deter aggression] by having a combat credible force that’s ready whenever it’s called,” Franchetti said.
