Encouraging the Release of the Navy Strategic Plan (NSP)

When the Maritime Strategy was released, we were told a Navy Strategic Plan (NSP) had also been produced to accompany the Maritime Strategy, but it was classified and unavailable for discussion. I was one of a number of people who was left wanting.

Inside the Navy (subscription) is reporting that an unclassified version of the Navy Strategic Plan (NSP) may be released. "May" means "maybe" or "perhaps" because no decision is made, however the article also says the Navy also intends to rewrite the current NOC to match the new Maritime Strategy.

Morgan said naval officials are “just breaking ground” on writing a new NOC that will be issued in the spring of 2008.

“What that will do is it will take the maritime strategy and then explain for Marines and sailors everywhere what mission we’re going to perform to support the strategy, and in general terms, how we’re going to operate,” he said. “So we will begin to implement the maritime strategy by explaining how we’re going to operate.”

The service also has a classified document intended to drive budget decisions for making that strategy a reality, called the Navy Strategic Plan (NSP).

Morgan said naval officials have not decided whether to publish an unclassified version of the current strategic plan. (ITN reported on Nov. 5 that Adm. Jonathan Greenert, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said Oct. 23 at a conference in Panama City, FL, that an unclassified version of the plan will be released.)

“We’re considering being able to publish the unclassified portions of the NSP,” Morgan told ITN. “That decision has not been finalized yet. If there’s merit to that we’ll carefully consider it, but there is no specific plan right now.”

Personally speaking, I encourage Admiral Morgan to release an unclassified version of the NSP. I had my say of the Maritime Strategy, and like others I'm ready to move on and focus in on what it means. Considering these comments by Admiral Morgan are made at a presentation in Florida intended to explain the Maritime Strategy, clearly I believe more information like an unclassified NSP available online would contribute to your efforts.

Steeljaw Scribe has more on the NOC and NSP. Considering he helped put together this stuff for the Navy when he was active duty his take is a must read analysis of the context for the NSP and NOC for the new Maritime Strategy.