A Comparative Analysis of Naval Surface Forces Atlantic and Pacific Combat Systems Departments

Abstract

The primary community of the United States Navy is the surface Navy. It is commonly accepted that there are two versions of the surface Navy: the Atlantic Navy and the Pacific Navy. From the viewpoint of combat systems, both should operate in the same manner, using the same guidance, with the same number of personnel, but they do not. Using Nadler and Tushman’s congruence model, we completed an analysis of both surface forces: Atlantic Surface Forces and Pacific combat systems. This analysis looked at structure, manning, guidance, and procedures used in order to determine why there is misalignment and what is needed in order to provide congruence and allow efforts to mirror each other across the coasts and to provide symmetry. Recommendations, based on our findings, are provided in order to align and provide congruence. What we have determined, based on manning, structure, and adherence to instructions and procedural compliance, is that Surface Forces Atlantic and Pacific combat systems departments are not aligned, and therefore, there is no congruence among them. Because of our findings, we do not believe both coasts operate in a way that would allow for redundancy should one become sidelined or obsolete. Recommendations for congruence have been provided.