§8227 Notifications on Manning of Afloat Naval Forces

Summary

The Navy must tell the congressional defense committees in writing within 30 days after each fiscal quarter ends if any covered ship had its manning fit below 87% or its manning fill below 90% for more than 14 days during that quarter. The report must name the ship and hull number, give its homeport and current fit and fill, say the lowest or projected low levels with dates, give projected dates to reach 87%/90% and 92%/95% if not yet met, explain why the ship is short of the required fit and fill (including which ratings or skills are missing), and describe what the Navy is doing to fix the problem. A sailor in a higher paygrade can count as filling a lower-paygrade billet, but not the other way around. Starting October 1, 2025, the Navy may not assign more than one crew to a covered surface combatant ship if any surface combatant was reported under this rule in the prior 12 months, except a littoral combat ship set up for mine countermeasures if the Secretary sends a certification and detailed explanation to the committees that one crew cannot meet the mine-countermeasure needs. Definitions: covered ship = a commissioned battle force ship on the Naval Vessel Register; manning fill = number of people assigned by rating versus required billets; manning fit = the right skills, specialty codes, and experience versus requirements; surface combatant vessel = certain LCS, frigates, destroyers (not DDG–1000), and cruisers.