The United States Navy is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. The U.S. Navy consists of more than 300 ships and over 4,000 operational aircraft. It has over half a million personnel on active or ready reserve duty.
History
The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established on October 13, 1775. All together, the Continental Navy numbered some fifty ships over the course of the American Revolutionary War.
After the War for Independence, Congress sold the surviving ships and released the seamen. The Constitution of the United States empowered Congress "to provide and maintain a navy." Acting on this authority, Congress ordered the construction of six frigates on March 27, 1794, and in 1797 the first three — USS United States, USS Constellation and USS Constitution — went into service. The Department of the Navy was established on April 30, 1798.
Naval Jack
The naval jack of the United States is a blue field with 50 white stars, identical to the canton of the ensign. A jack of similar design was first used in 1794, with 13 stars. On 31 May 2002, Secretary of the Navy Gordon England directed all US naval ships to fly the First Naval Jack for the duration of the War on Terrorism.
Naval Culture
Navy sailors are trained in the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
Naval Jargon
- Aye, aye: Yes (I understand and will obey)
- Bulkhead: Wall
- Deck: Floor
- Hatch: Door
- Head: Bathroom
- Ladderwell: Stairs
- Overhead: Ceiling
- Salty: Old and experienced
- Scuttlebutt: Drinking fountain or rumor
- Shellback: An individual who has crossed the Equator
Fleets
- 2nd Fleet — Atlantic
- 3rd Fleet — Eastern and Northern Pacific
- 5th Fleet — Middle East
- 6th Fleet — Mediterranean
- 7th Fleet — Western Pacific and Indian Ocean
Submarine Warfare and Nuclear Deterrence
The submarine has a long history in the USN, beginning in the late 19th century with the SS-1, USS Holland. The submarine really came of age in World War I. Doctrine in the inter-war years emphasised the submarine as a scout for the battle fleet. Both these axioms were shown to be wrong quickly after Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
The submarine skippers of World War II waged a very effective campaign against Japanese merchant vessels, doing to Japan what Germany failed to do to the United Kingdom. In addition to commerce raiding, submarines performed lifeguard duty rescuing downed aviators, and landed reconnaissance parties and guerrilla fighters.