War on the Rocks – The future of American maritime dominance will not be determined solely by the number of ships launched or contracts signed, but rather by the strength and sustainability of the workforce behind them. The current moment presents a rare alignment of bipartisan support, political will, and strategic necessity. By embracing a skills-based approach to hiring, leveraging untapped talent pools — including veterans, service-minded civilians, and talent across the interior of the United States — and expanding shipbuilding across the nation, the United States can ensure a resilient, mission-ready shipbuilding workforce to meet current and future requirements.