The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross, right, breaks away from the fast combat support ship USNS Supply, center, as it continues a replenishment-at-sea with USS Roosevelt, Jan. 2, 2022. U.S. Navy / Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Claire DuBois
The Naval Brief: Mandate injunction; Capitol QRF plans die; 2021 in review; and more...
Welcome to The Naval Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the sea services’ future.
Lessons from the Capitol attack. A year after Capitol police were overwhelmed by a violent mob, calls for a military quick reaction force to respond to future violence have faded away, Defense One reports. A review following the attack recommended such a force, and a House bill included $200 million to create it, but the language was not in the final bill.
Vaccine mandate relief. 35 unvaccinated sailors, including members of the naval special warfare community, received a preliminary injunction in court, stopping the Defense Department from taking administrative actions against them, the Washington Post reports. The sailors cite their Christian religious beliefs for not receiving the vaccine. The Navy has not approved any religious accommodation requests for the vaccine.
2021 Review. The naval services experienced a busy year in 2021, from adjusting to a new administration’s priorities to preparing their forces for a future conflict. Check out our top Navy stories here and our top Marine Corps stories here.
Sign up to get The Naval Brief every Thursday from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On this day in 1942, Japanese forces captured 11 Navy nurses in the Philippines. They treated other internees during their time in captivity and were freed in February 1945.
From Defense One
White House: Russia Stepping Up Disinformation In Possible Invasion Prelude // Patrick Tucker: U.S. sees rising likelihood of Russian military action against Ukraine, promises strong response.
Six Things Veterans Can Do to Strengthen Our Democracy // Joe Plenzler, William Braniff and Anil Nathan: Work to inoculate our communities against disinformation, increase civil participation, and collaborate to build our nation’s vital institutions.
Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine Is Backfiring // Kori Schake: Putin’s military moves are rallying Ukrainians and unifying NATO.