Executive Correspondence – Letter dated 07/27/2005 to Chairman Principi and all Commissioners from Michael Styles Page: 2 of 3
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FEDERAL MANAGERS ASSOCIATION -> 7036992735
Executive Correspondence
DCN 5667
Shipyard or any of the four public shipyards will severely impair our ability to meet our global
missions.
Since the Cormnission's undertaking of its important and irreversible role in the examination of the
proposed base reorganization from DOD, it has been revealed that the suggested closures may not have
been decided in an environment of clear facts. For example, under opposition from senior Senators,
the President was forced to nominate you and the fellow members of the commission during a recess
appointment. Moreover, the Pentagon was reticent to release important documents to Congress that
served as the basis for their recommended closures. At the recent Commission hearing held in Boston,
Mass. on July 6, it was evident that the Commission is also concerned about the efficiency sacrifices
that would be suffered from the closure of Portsmouth.
In conjunction with the Boston hearing, the Commission has been informed of the drastic effects on
the Northeast from the eradication of naval activity in that region. It should be noted that the New
London Submarine Base is another essential component within the Navy infrastructure, especially in
light of the need to support a submarine force of 55. In fact, the testimony of several high-ranking
naval officials seems to contradict the elimination of a submarine presence in the Northeast. We
believe that keeping New London open as well is the proper and prudent choice, with the
understanding that New London will require the work of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to maintain
operational tempo and activity.
In struggling through the previous rounds of BRAC we have witnessed the need to reinvest in
infrastructure and personnel, which did not produce the anticipated savings that served as the rationale
for the base closures. For instance, the loss of the Circuit Breaker Repair facility at Mare Island has
resulted in all shipyards having to stand up individual shops at the various shipyards. Similarly, a
significant financial investment was required at Norfolk to absorb the Fleet Training group known as
IMANPY from the Charleston closure. These are but two of many reinvestment efforts that BRAC-
safe facilities had to make to maintain repair capabilities.
The existing challenge in the ship repair industry is not just a public-sector issue. Private and public
shipyards are facing critical demands on their skilled workforces. Increasing human capital attrition
rates are on the verge of affecting both sectors as the "baby boomers" who became the skilled ship
repair artisans of the 1980s and 1990s reach retirement age. Centuries of experience are on the brink
of leaving this industry. While efforts have been made to upgrade the industry through funding for
workforce revitalization, there will be a dramatic loss of institutional knowledge and expertise that
stand to affect all sectors of this industry - and already has. We cannot afford to lose the invaluable
experience and knowledge base of the ship repair workers at Portsmouth, Pearl Harbor, Norfolk or
Puget Sound Naval Shipyards. Closure does not ensure that these highly talented, highly dedicated
Civil Servants will relocate or remain in their skilled areas of expertise.
As has been shown in the data provided to the Commission, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a superb
business unit in the area of submarine repair. As you may know, workers at the Portsmouth Naval
Shipyard last month were awarded the Unit Meritorious Citation, underscoring the shipyard's
exceptional economic performance and strong schedule adherence to the required mission of the fleet.
Its stake in the recent philosophy of a "One Shipyard Concept" cannot - and should not - be07/27/05 17:21
NO.498 P02
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Executive Correspondence – Letter dated 07/27/2005 to Chairman Principi and all Commissioners from Michael Styles, letter, July 28, 2005; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc18949/m1/2/: accessed April 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.