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China soon virtually will control the global seagoing supply chain, with staggering consequences for the United States, its allies, and the world. As a nation dependent on maritime transportation for its economy and the movement of its military forces, the United States must take immediate, decisive steps to promote the reestablishment of a healthy and competitive U.S. maritime industry.

The epigraphs that open this article are but three of a vast number of quotes from U.S. presidents, members of Congress, and military leaders calling for support of a U.S.-flag merchant marine.1 Throughout American history, dozens of laws have been proposed and passed that have, in varying degrees, supported the operation of U.S.-flag ships in both coastal and international trade; no law ever passed has called for a reduction in or the elimination of U.S.-flag ships. And yet, despite periods of great growth at various times in U.S. history, the U.S. Merchant Marine, once again, is in serious decline today.

Maritime trade warfare, also called commerce warfare, is a naval/military strategy that has been followed since ancient times. 1 The idea of maritime trade warfare is to attack or neutralize the commercial shipping of one's enemy in an effort to disrupt the enemy's economy, make it more difficult for the enemy to continue waging war by disrupting the enemy's military supply chain that uses the sea, or both.

In light of current Department of Defense (DoD) priorities to increase the size of the military forces, new strategies must be developed to recruit and retain high-quality personnel with the right expertise to fill the expanding number of open billets. DoD should consider modifying existing policies to address this need, lest serious personnel issues overtake other force priorities.