1 Viewed by many at the time as a doom-and-gloom prediction, a hypothetical situation
in
extremis, Smicklas’s projected reckoning is coming to pass. The Coast Guard does not have enough cuttermen volunteering for assignment to send its fleet to sea. Without dramatic, immediate action, it will have to select-and-direct cuttermen to serve afloat in six months’ time.
The current lessening of standards signals a death spiral of underqualified officers afloat compared with today’s force; swift action in the spirit of Smicklas’ clarion call is critical to
make sea duty attractive. In the absence of leadership, incentive, and robust support for seagoing officers, the Coast Guard will end up with a less capable fleet unable to meet future challenges.