Middle East Conflict Costs Could Prevent Flow of Sailors to A-Schools, Reenlistment Bonuses Without Supplemental, Says CNO

The Navy may have to put up to 15,000 new enlisted accessions on hold without additional funding from a supplemental budget, the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle told the House Armed Services Committee Thursday. The ongoing cost of military action in the Middle East means the Navy may not have the needed dollars for permanent costs of station changes for Navy recruits and sailors required for sending them from boot camp to A-School, Caudle testified to Congress this week. The FY 2027 budget was not built with Operation Epic Fury in mind, Caudle said. “Without supplemental funding, I