In this discussion, Jonathan Panter, a Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a doctoral candidate at Columbia University, dives into the often misunderstood concept of naval forward presence. He outlines its critical role in U.S. military strategy and contrasts it with approaches from other nations. Panter also shares insights on the evolution of naval strategies post-Cold War and the complexities of resource allocation between structural and operational readiness, while discussing challenges faced by the Navy, including high-profile incidents and the transition to academia for veterans.