January 29, 2021

For Those Who Serve

Advocate of the Month: January 2021

It is an honor to recognize the tireless dedication of our good friend James H. Offutt. A former National President of the Navy League, Jim has been a dedicated advocate for the sea services and a vital pillar of our Legislative Affairs initiatives. In addition to his role in guiding the overall direction of the Legislative Affairs Department, Jim has taken the lead in maintaining regular contact with our grassroots affiliates and our RVPs, ensuring the success of our campaigns, monitoring member of Congress outreach, and supervising overall grassroots initiatives. Jim is currently Co-Chair of the Navy League National Legislative Affairs Committee. He has served as National President of the Navy League from June 2013 to 2015. He was Chairman of the Navy League Foundation and prior to that for several years served as Chairman of the Maritime Policy and Resolutions Committee, spearheading the creation of the Navy League’s annual Maritime Policy. For his years of leadership and management, he was twice awarded the Secretary of the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award and the U.S. Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award.

Mr. Offutt worked in industry as president of Rosslyn Group and National Capital Group, and Vice President of Vanguard Research, AC Technologies Inc., Alpha- insight and Titan Corporation. As president of Computer Reclamation Inc., he led a non-profit organization that provided IT solutions to schools, non-profit organizations and associations.

During his U.S. Navy career, Mr. Offutt was a pilot and weapon systems acquisition manager. His tours included: the Missile Defense Agency; Commanding Officer, Office of Naval Research Western Region, Executive Assistant to OPNAV-12. As a pilot, he flew the S-2, A-6 and S-3 carrier-based aircraft, amassing 4,000 hours and 426 carrier landings. He participated in four Vietnam combat tours and flew 201 combat missions. He served as the initial Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization Model Manager for the development of the S-3 aircraft. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal (10) and Navy Commendation Medal (3). He retired as a Commander after 20 years of service.

Mr. Offutt holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of LaVerne, California, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico and completed Engineering Studies at Pennsylvania State University. He earned a Chief Information Officer Certificate from the University of South Carolina. A Pittsburgh, Pa. native, he and his wife, Becky, reside in North Myrtle Beach SC and have two sons and three grandchildren. Washington Happenings

Congress has confirmed Gen. Lloyd Austin as America’s first African- American Secretary of Defense. Austin enters the role at a time of domestic and international turbulence not seen in modern American history. Political divisions at home and great power competitors abroad will make his job one of the most difficult on the planet. Luckily, he has folks like you to guide him! Let’s make sure that the SecDef understands the vital role our sea services will play in the new threat environment of the 21st century. Together, we will keep American strong, safe, and prosperous.

Additionally, President Biden has issued a number of Executive Orders in the past week and several have important implications for our military. President Biden reversed the previous administration’s ban on transgender servicemembers ensuring that all who wish to serve their nation (and meet the requirements) are able to do so. The President has also signed Executive Orders related to implementing a “Whole of Government” approach to distributing the COVID-19 vaccine which will likely include use of National Guard and Active Duty servicemembers. President Biden also ordered federal debt collection to be temporarily frozen for military veterans. And if that wasn’t enough, President Biden signed an Executive Order supporting Buy American provisions in which his administration emphasized their support for the Jones Act! What a week!

A few thoughts from our team: When Your District Gives You Lemons

It happens. The person elected to represent your district was not your first choice. Maybe you strongly disagree with them on some issues. Maybe you take issue with their choices, personality, or statements. Because of this, you want nothing to do with this representative. You don’t want to speak with them, meet with them, or be associated with them in any way. That is, of course, your right. But while you are in self-imposed political exile, that representative is making decisions and casting votes that affect you, your family, your community, and our beloved sea services. We do not have the option of choosing to not engage with these elected officials when they hold the power to make life and death decisions which will be felt for years to come. It is our job, and our duty, to remain vigilant. We must stay active even when disappointed, motivated even when demoralized, and attentive when we would prefer to be ignorant. These are our elected representatives, and they must answer to us. They must understand that our sea services provide the greatest source of American security and economic prosperity and that our nation’s future depends on robust and ready maritime forces. That is our job, and we do it for the brave men and women serving in those sea services as well as for our families, our communities, and the free peoples of the world that depend on American security to pursue their own life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. We understand that you might not be a big fan of your Congressperson. It happens. But the fight is bigger than them and we need you to stay in it.

Maritime Policy- At a Glance

Council Shout Out!

We are always excited to see the latest headlines from our good friends in the Honolulu Council! Hawaii has always taken a lead role in fighting for the sea services and the current council is not slowing down that tradition one bit. Their latest annual council meeting included remarks by Rear Admiral Robb Chadwick and a presentation by the Sea Cadets! The full video can be viewed at the link below. Thank you Bill and all of the members of this crown jewel of the Navy League’s Pacific operations! Keep up the great work! https://navyleaguehonolulu.org/about/annual-meeting-2021.html

Don’t forget to share your stories with us! Your stories are important and they matter to your representatives. Please connect with us here at the Navy League so that we can relay your stories to the representatives that can affect real change in support of our Sea Services. Tell your story here!

Navy League Advocacy Updates

Navy League Legislation Affairs Committee Members can view our updated Legislative Affairs Committee Page with all kinds of resources to support your grassroots advocacy!

Support the Jones Act

The Jones Act helps support nearly 650,000 jobs across America, with an annual economic impact of more than $150 billion. More importantly to the nation as a whole, the law provides important national, homeland, and economic security benefits. Additionally, the Jones Act plays a critical role in maintaining our Merchant Mariner force and sealift capacity. Both are foundational aspects of wartime transport and emergency resupply. When our nation went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mariners from the U.S.-flag Jones Act and International trading fleets crewed the Reserve Fleet ships that answered the call to transport military equipment across the oceans to support our war effort. Only the U.S. Flag Merchant Marine and its Allies can be relied upon in our time of need, and the Jones Act ensures that those forces remain strong and ready for whatever dangers await our nation in the future.

Sea Service Updates

Former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis took a few parting shots at his old boss while wishing well to the new SecDef Lloyd Austin. Mattis hoped that Austin would not face a similar situation in terms of dealing with his boss, and also hoped that Austin would not encounter the “strategy-free” environment of the previous White House. In addition to these attention-grabbing comments, Mattis made clear his faith and confidence in Austin and wished him well in his new role.

Additionally, Navy acquisition chief and friend of the Navy League, James Geurts, will be leaving the Pentagon. Geurts served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. As such, he oversaw the difficult and burdensome task of upgrading the Navy’s innovation capacity, its small business interactions, and its “tech bridges” for greater public-private collaboration. We can only hope that his replacement is as capable.

WASHINGTON (Jan. 23, 2021) Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III poses for his official portrait in the Army portrait studio at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Jan 23, 2020.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. XaViera Masline)

Sea Service News

The State of the Sea Services

Top Navy Intel Officer Hopes China Will Keep Dumping Money Into Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile – The Drive / Jan 29 The U.S. Navy's top intelligence officer has said the service is watching closely as China expands its anti-ship missile capabilities, particularly in and around the disputed South China Sea, to include the ongoing development of long-range anti- ship ballistic missiles. At the same time, he said he "hopes" that China's People's Liberation Army will continue to invest significant resources into these efforts, hinting that the U.S. Navy already has extensive measures to counter these threats already in use now or in development.

The Marine Corps is on the hunt for a next-generation fire-resistant combat utility uniform – Task and Purpose / Jan 28 Marine Corps Systems Command released a request for information in mid-January in search of industry input into producing “a flame-resistant (FR) and signature- mitigated modification” to the existing Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU).

*Special Coronavirus Coverage*

US military counts 17 new coronavirus cases in Japan and South Korea – Stars and Strips / Jan 28 The U.S. military in Japan and South Korea reported 17 new cases of the coronavirus as of 6 p.m. Thursday. Meanwhile, Japan’s capital city announced another 1,064 people had tested positive for the virus, according to public broadcaster NHK. That’s an increase over the previous day’s 973 but still part of a general downward trend, according to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

‘People are scared’: COVID-19 outbreak rattles crew of the warship Chafee – Navy Times / Jan 29 The U.S. warship Chafee pulled into San Diego from Hawaii for training last Saturday and has been grappling with a COVID-19 outbreak that sailors onboard and internal documents obtained by Navy Times suggest is decimating the crew.

Great Power Competition

China warns Taiwan independence 'means war' as US pledges support – BBC News / Jan 28 China has warned that attempts by Taiwan to seek independence "means war". The warning comes days after China stepped up its military activities and flew warplanes near the island. It also comes after new US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to Taiwan, and set out his stance in Asia.

Two US Destroyers Enter Black Sea; Russia Responds – Breaking Defense / Jan 28 For the first time in three years the Navy has sent three ships – including two destroyers – into the Black Sea, just days after President Biden confronted Vladimir Putin about Russian policy.

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