§8227 Notifications on Manning of Afloat Naval Forces

Summary

The Secretary of the Navy must tell the congressional defense committees in writing, within 30 days after each fiscal quarter ends, any covered ship that had manning fit below 87% or manning fill below 90% for more than 14 days in that quarter. The notice must give the ship’s name and hull number, homeport, current manning fit and fill, the lowest or projected lowest levels and their dates, projected dates to reach at least 87% fit and 90% fill and to reach at least 92% fit and 95% fill if not already met, the reasons those levels were not met (including the specific ratings or skills needed), and what the Navy is doing to fix the problem. A sailor in a higher paygrade can count toward a lower billet, but not the other way around. Starting October 1, 2025, the Secretary may not assign more than one crew to a covered ship that is a surface combatant if any surface combatant was reported under the rule in the prior 12 months. One exception: a littoral combat ship set up for mine countermeasures may have more than one crew if the Secretary sends a certification and detailed explanation saying the ship cannot meet the combatant commander’s mine-countermeasure needs with only one crew. Definitions: covered ship — a commissioned battle force ship on the Naval Vessel Register; manning fill — number of assigned personnel vs. required billets by rating; manning fit — skills, specialty codes, and experience vs. required billets; surface combatant vessel — includes LCS (LCS–1 and LCS–2), FFG–62 frigates, destroyers (not DDG–1000), and CG–47 cruisers.