The Naval Brief: China’s new carrier target; Draft women?; New vax numbers; and more...

Welcome to The Naval Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the sea services’ future. 

Missile-test targets? New satellite imagery shows another aircraft carrier-shaped structure in a Chinese desert, joining other structures built to mimic a new Ford-class aircraft carrier and an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, U.S. Naval Institute News reports. China’s army is fielding ballistic missiles that can attack aircraft carriers, according to the recent military power report.

Draft debate makes strange bedfellows. Anti-war activists and conservative hawks are objecting to legislative proposals that would require women to register with the U.S. Selective Service, Defense One reports. Congress is expected to debate the issue when it considers the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.

No religious waivers accepted yet. Some 96% of active duty sailors and 89% of active duty Marines are fully vaccinated as of Wednesday, service officials said. While the Marine Corps is waiting to release its exemption data until after the deadline, the Navy says it has approved six permanent medical exemptions but no religious waivers. Active duty Marines and sailors have until Nov. 28 to be vaccinated and those in the Reserve have until Dec. 28.

Sign up to get The Naval Brief every Thursday from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On Nov. 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was created by the Continental Congress and the first Marines were recruited at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. Watch their 246th birthday message here. 

From Defense One

After Afghanistan, Poll Finds Alienation and a Desire for Connection Among Veterans // Tara Copp: 70 percent of Americans surveyed said they have “never” or “rarely” talked to a veteran about the war.

Navy Secretary Seeks 3-5% Annual Budget Increases // Caitlin Kenney: “I think more members of Congress understand the real threat that China presents,” Del Toro said.

Australia Seeks ‘More Proactive’ Role In Indo-Pacific // Jacqueline Feldscher: The ambassador says Australia can no longer be a “passive recipient” in today’s strategic environment.

Adding India to the Five Eyes Would Cause a New Cold War, Pakistani Official Says // Patrick Tucker: Proposal in the U.S. Senate draws harsh words as Islamabad works up a new anti-terrorist effort.