Physical Condition is a Primary Indicator

Not to be a nudge, but the American taxpayer can see the "what" - and it deserves to hear the "why" of what is reported by Chris Cavas below;

US #destroyer #GONZALEZ DDG66 at Norfolk #naval base on 12 March, a day before she was supposed to begin a deployment, looking none too snazzy. She finally left 15 March after delays, now is in the European theater. pic.twitter.com/hvYUK6aGbG

— Chris Cavas (@CavasShips) March 25, 2019

With the largest defense budget in decades, a ship going on deployment from CONUS simply has no excuse.

Of course, our Navy has turned to the Soviet model in its relationship to the press and the people - so we are supposed to be good comrades and go forward to carry out the 5-year Plan, but I'm sorry; no.

We are constantly told when these pics come up that it is simply "this ship has been on deployment XXX months, and bla bla bla."

We are about half a worldwar time frame from the events of WESTPAC, and yet we still have a primary indicator - rusting at the pier - telling the observer that we have problems.

BZ, I guess, for delaying the ship - but there is a story here. The taxpayer is not being well served. I hate to do this to my Navy, but as it shuts up, Congress needs to step up its oversight.

Just look. This was the condition of a warship set for deployment in the world's strongest Navy. That last part is not the message we're sending.