There is no stopgap solution for addressing the Navy’s manning issues, the Navy’s top enlisted sailor told sailors at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, according to Stars and Stripes.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven Giordano spoke to sailors at an all-hands meeting, where he addressed concerns over the manning issues that potentially contributed to recent collisions involving the destroyers Fitzgerald and John S. McCain that claimed the lives of 17 sailors. 

“Manning is one of those things we need to get fixed immediately,” Giordano told sailors. “We need the right people on board at the appropriate pay grade. We don’t want you out there operating with reduced manning at a level that has you working 100-hour plus weeks.”

The Government Accountability Office also addressed the Navy’s manning issues in a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee.

Giordano said the Navy has been pulling sailors from shore units in an attempt to fill gaps on ships, but this isn’t a permanent solution.

“Manning is affecting every part of our Navy,” he said. “It’s not just here at 7th Fleet, it’s not just at sea, it’s not just at shore. We just don’t have the inventory right now to get that manning level where it should be at across all spectrums, at sea and at shore.”

About Mackenzie Wolf

Mackenzie Wolf is an editorial intern for Military Times.

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