Response to the Article Titled "Navy Sec. Phelan to Newsmax: US Must Invest in Military Again"

Financier John Phelan

In his recent Newsmax interview, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan emphasized that the U.S. has "underinvested in the military" (Fitzgerald) and must now "be more efficient with how we spend"(Fitzgerald) while ensuring sustained investment in readiness and shipbuilding. He correctly identifies the need for a “whole-of-government approach” (Fitzgerald) with predictable, multi-year funding to rebuild our capabilities.

This is where nGAP’s Open Acquisition System (OAS) becomes a mission-critical solution. OAS enables transparent, real-time tracking of acquisitions and accelerates procurement cycles by streamlining workflows and reducing administrative overhead. By modernizing how the Department of the Navy allocates and manages capital, OAS directly supports Phelan’s call for smarter, faster, and more accountable defense investment.

Additionally, Phelan's concern that “China built more ships last year than we have since World War II” (Fitzgerald) underscores the urgency of deploying tools that facilitate rapid adaptation and domestic manufacturing capacity. OAS allows for modular upgrades and integration of emerging technologies, ensuring acquisition processes are never a bottleneck to readiness.

Finally, by reinforcing a merit-based culture—something Phelan reaffirmed as central to military excellence— OAS supports performance-driven procurement practices, aligning with his vision of a “more capable and responsive military.” (Fitzgerald)

In short, the Navy doesn't just need more investment—it needs the right infrastructure to ensure every dollar advances capability. That’s exactly what OAS delivers.

Works Cited

Fitzgerald, Sandy. "Navy Sec. Phelan to Newsmax: US Must Invest in Military Again." Newsmax, 21 Apr. 2025, www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/navy-military-higbie/2025/04/12/id/1206680/.