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Slowly but surely, the nation is beginning to recognize that our military sealift is not prepared for an all-out war, be it with China or another major adversary.

This is an unsettling thought, but we must recognize that a nation prepared for war is more likely to achieve peace.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported on the unprecedented strides China is making in its quest to dominate the seas, in large part by bolstering its merchant fleet, which can be mobilized immediately for military logistical use. The Journal states that “China today has more than 7,000 commercial ships. Chinese entities own every sixth commercial vessel on the seas—including ships flying other countries’ flags—a share comparable only to Greece.”

In contrast, the U.S. merchant fleet has fewer than 200, which includes both government ships and the commercial vessels that will be utilized in an extended conflict.

This insightful Journal article serves as a crucial reminder that we need to address this issue before it is too late.

In a letter to the editor published in the Journal this past weekend, the importance of militarily obligated Merchant Mariners who will command and crew these logistical vessels was emphasized: “It’s crucial to have at the ready militarily obligated Merchant Marine officers who will be needed to operate commercial vessels in contested waters. In a conflict, Chinese forces will aggressively target our logistical ships, putting the men and women commanding these vessels in harm’s way.”

Our national defense relies on a robust, ready, and lethal fighting force, but their efforts will be in vain if we cannot transport troops, supplies, weapons, tanks, and fuel to the war zone. The armed services fight the fight; the Merchant Marine makes the fight possible.

It is essential we give the men and women of the U.S. Merchant Marine and the Academy that prepares them—The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy—their due. USMMA produces over 80 percent of the U.S. Navy Strategic Sealift Officers who will take the fight to the enemy. Remember: The USMMA infrastructure has not changed since the 1940s. We must show the Midshipmen, all of whom have committed to serve the nation, that Congress recognizes the importance of their mission—and the training that prepares them to execute it—and commit to a long-overdue modernization.