Navy Under Secretary Hung Cao, newly sworn in, has been handed a critical mission to reshape the Navy and Marine Corps into a sharper, more effective fighting force.
As reported by Fox News, Cao, under the direction of Navy Secretary John C. Phelan, will drive reforms targeting readiness, slashing bureaucratic delays, and prioritizing the needs of sailors, Marines, and their families while modernizing outdated systems.
This move, backed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, comes as a clear signal that the military is done with policies that dilute standards and distract from its core purpose of defense.
Restoring Standards with a Warrior Focus
Hegseth, addressing officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30, laid out the stakes with precision, saying, "Standards must be uniform, gender-neutral, and high. If not, they’re not standards — they’re suggestions."
Such clarity cuts through years of muddled priorities, where merit often took a backseat to progressive experiments. Cao’s mandate to eliminate DEI-based waivers in recruiting and enforce merit-only accessions is a welcome return to common sense.
Reserve forces will also train more closely with active-duty units, ensuring no one is left behind in readiness, a move that should have been standard practice long ago.
Modernizing Systems for Real Impact
Beyond personnel reforms, Cao is tackling the Navy’s outdated IT and business systems, replacing them with mobile-ready platforms to streamline operations. Sailors deserve tools that actually work, not relics that hinder their mission.
Full audit compliance by FY2026 is another target, a push for transparency that taxpayers should applaud. Accountability isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s a promise to ensure every dollar strengthens the fleet.
Infrastructure upgrades on Guam, from runways to housing, will solidify its role as a key Indo-Pacific hub. This isn’t just logistics; it’s a strategic stand against growing threats in the region.
Putting Families and Readiness First
Cao’s reforms extend to the home front, with a new inspection system enforcing 60-day repair timelines for military family housing. No family should wait months for basic fixes while their loved ones serve.
Base dining will shift to healthier, locally sourced menus designed for combat readiness, while faster Permanent Change of Station orders and expanded school choice policies show a real commitment to quality of life. These aren’t luxuries; they’re essentials for retention and morale.
Phelan’s vision, as he stated, is about “speed, standards, and service,” a mantra that ties family welfare to combat effectiveness. When he says, “When the basics work the first time, ships sail more, aircraft fly farther,” it’s hard to argue against such logic.
A Unified Push for Lethality and Accountability
The integration of these reforms under one chain of command, as Phelan calls it, “one quarterback, one playbook,” aims to align family support with battlefield readiness. It’s a holistic approach that recognizes a strong home base fuels a strong front line.
Congressional support is already forming, with Rep. Jack Whitfield, R-Texas, chair of the House Armed Services readiness panel, pledging to back this focus on lethality and accountability. Even a Democratic staffer on the Senate Armed Services Committee admitted it’s “an overdue reset,” though they’ll be watching closely for results.
This overhaul isn’t about flashy promises; it’s about fixing what’s broken and rebuilding trust in a military that must deter enemies first and foremost. Cao’s leadership, rooted in his experience as a former Navy captain, offers hope that these changes will stick, restoring a force that’s been bogged down by distractions for too long.
