Why Pentagon needs a civilian fleet before missiles fly

The piece argues that the Pentagon should develop a civilian fleet concept before missile threats become imminent, framing it as a practical way to avoid the kind of “surprise” that often precedes wars. It cites the recurring pattern that conflicts begin when political leaders prefer more time, military planners need additional forces, and logisticians require ships, aircraft, ammunition, and other supplies. In that context, it calls for revisiting an older idea—Ships Taken Up From Trade (STUFT)—as a way to expand lift and logistics capacity quickly by drawing on commercial shipping resources. The article is short, but its core point is that preparedness depends on scalable logistics, not just weapons.