United States Navy

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Template:US Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations around the globe. For almost the entire existence of the United States, the U.S. Navy has protected American interests and supported American policies through the use of sea power. Its stated mission is "to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas."<ref>"The U.S. Navy Organization". U.S. Navy Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> The U.S. Navy currently numbers nearly half a million men and women on active or ready reserve duty and consists of 281 ships and over 4,000 operational aircraft.

The United States Navy can trace its origins to the Continental Navy, which was established during the American Revolutionary War, but was disbanded not long afterwards in the year 1790. The 1789 ratification of the United States Constitution supported the existence of a standing navy by giving Congress the right "to provide and maintain a navy." Following conflict with Barbary Coast corsairs, Congress enacted this right in 1794 by ordering the construction and manning of six frigates, thus establishing a permanent U.S. navy. The U.S. Navy came into international prominence in the 20th century, especially during World War II. The navy was a part of the conflict from the very beginning of American involvement to the very end of the war, and proved to be a vital element in the success of the Allies. It was also heavily involved in the subsequent Cold War, in which the U.S. Navy assisted in Vietnam War operations and roamed the seas with carrier strike groups, minesweeping patrol squadrons and submarines in support of allies.

The 21st century United States Navy maintains its presence in the world as an instrument of American policy. Its ability to project force anywhere on the globe is a key asset for U.S. leaders. Despite decreases in the number of ships and personnel following the Cold War, the U.S. Navy remains the world’s largest navy with a tonnage greater than 17 of the next largest world navies combined.<ref>Work, Robert O. "Winning the Race:A Naval Fleet Platform Architecture for Enduring Maritime Supremacy". Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments Online. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> In addition, the decrease in size has been negated by the Navy's focus on advanced technological capabilities and a high degree of spending relative to other nations.

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History

Image:Navy flag.gif Template:Main In the early stages of the American Revolutionary War, the establishment of an official navy was heavily discussed among the members of the Continental Congress. Supporters argued that a navy would protect shipping, defend the coast, and make it easier to seek out support from foreign countries. Detractors countered that challenging the Royal Navy, then the world's preeminent naval power, was a foolish undertaking. Furthermore, they stated that a true break from Britain was not yet certain; the existence of a navy implied independence and would work against any future attempts at reconciliation. Two events would ultimately end the debate in favor of a navy. The first occurred on October 5, 1775, when Congress received word that two unarmed British supply ships were heading towards Quebec from England without escort. Discussions led to a plan that involved the equipping of two ships whose mission would be to raid British supply lines in the Atlantic Ocean. The plan was not carried out until a second key event on October 13, 1775. On that day, Congress received correspondence from George Washington, who announced that had established three armed schooners under Continental authority to intercept any British supply ships near Massachusetts. With three armed ships already under Continental control, the decision to add two more was made easier for the Continental Congress delegates and the plan was ratified. Thus, the Continental Navy was officially established that day in Philadelphia.<ref>"Birthplace of the Navy". Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> The legislation also established a three-member Naval Committee to supervise the work. The Continental Navy operated some 50 ships over the course of the war, primarily in an anti-shipping and raiding role. American ships were not meant to do battle with opposing British men-of-war and such engagements were avoided as much as possible. After the war, as attention turned towards securing the western border of the new United States, a standing navy was deemed less important and within a span of two years, a cash-strapped Congress sold the surviving ships and released the seamen and officers.<ref name="multiple1">Palmer, Michael A. "The Navy: The Continental Period, 1775-1890". Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>

In response to attacks on American shipping by corsairs from the Barbary Coast, Congress ordered the construction and manning of six frigates on March 27, 1794. Three years later the first three were welcomed into service: USS United States, USS Constellation and USS Constitution. The U.S. Navy would perform admirably in the War of 1812, where it defeated rival British frigates on more than one occasion and emerged victorious in battles at Lake Champlain and Lake Erie. However, the U.S. Navy was not strong enough to prevent the British from blockading American ports and landing troops at will.<ref name="multiple1"/>

Image:USS Constitution vs Guerriere.jpg Naval power had a significant role during the American Civil War, where the Union had a distinct advantage over the Confederacy on the seas.<ref name="multiple1"/> A Union blockade on shipping handicapped the Southern effort throughout the entire conflict. The two American navies would help usher in a new era in world naval history by putting ironclad warships into combat for the first time. The Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862, which pitted USS Monitor against CSS Virginia, became the first engagement between two steam-powered ironclads. After the war, however, the U.S. Navy slipped into obsolescence. A modernization program beginning in the 1880s brought the U.S. into the first rank of the world's navies by the beginning of the 20th century.

The Navy saw little action during World War I, but grew into a formidable force in the years before World War II. Japan unsuccessfully attempted to allay this strategic threat with a late-1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Following American entry into the war, the U.S. Navy grew tremendously as the United States was faced with a two-front war on the seas. It achieved notable acclaim in the Pacific Theater in particular, where it was instrumental in the Allies' successful "island hopping" campaign. Some famous World War II battles in which the US Navy participated are the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. By war's end in 1945, the United States Navy had added hundreds of new ships, including 18 new aircraft carriers and 8 battleships.<ref>King, Ernest J., USN. "Major Combatant Ships Added to United States Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October 1945". U.S. Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>

Image:USS Yorktown hit-740px.jpg With the potential for armed conflict with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, the U.S. Navy continued to advance technologically by developing new weapons systems, ships, and aircraft. United States naval strategy changed to that of forward deployment in support of U.S. allies with an emphasis on carrier battle groups.<ref>Palmer, Michael A. "The Navy: The Transoceanic Period, 1945-1992". Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> The Navy heavily participated in the Vietnam War and, through the use of ballistic missile submarines, became an important aspect of the United States' nuclear strategic deterrence policy. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 predictably led to budget cuts, but the U.S. Navy stayed committed to establishing and maintaining technologic superiority.

The United States Navy in the 21st century continues to progress as it supports the United States-led War on Terrorism. The focus has shifted from a large-scale naval conflict with the Soviet Union to special operations and strike missions in support of regional conflicts. The Navy participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and the Iraq War largely in this capacity. Development continues on new ships and weapons, including the CVN-21 aircraft carrier and the Littoral combat ship. Due to its size, weapons technology, and ability to project force far from American shores, the current U.S. Navy remains one of the most potent assets for the United States Commander-in-Chief.

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Organization

Image:US Navy organization.png The Navy is administered by the Department of the Navy, led by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV). The senior naval officer, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), is the four-star admiral immediately under the Secretary of the Navy. At the same time, the Chief of Naval Operations is one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which is the second-highest deliberatory body of the armed forces after the National Security Council, although it only plays an advisory role to the President and does not nominally form part of the chain of command. The Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations are responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Navy so the Navy is ready for operation under the command of the Unified Combatant Commanders.

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Fleets

The United States Navy divides its forces between the Pacific Fleet and the Atlantic Fleet. Under these two organizations fall the individual numbered fleets. Even-numbered fleets operate in the Atlantic while odd-numbered fleets serve in the Pacific, therefore 2nd Fleet and 6th Fleet make up Atlantic Fleet while Pacific Fleet is comprised of 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleets. Under current United States military organization, the role of a fleet is to provide capable naval forces to the higher echelon unified command that is operating in the same jurisdiction. Thus, 6th Fleet provides naval forces to USEUCOM, 5th Fleet supplies USCENTCOM, and so on.

  • 1st Fleet was decommissioned in the early 1970s and had its role in the Pacific taken over by the newly reformed 3rd Fleet.<ref>"Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLEET)". Globalsecurity.org. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> The Coast Guard is often incorrectly believed to act as the 1st Fleet in wartime. However, the United States has never officially used this reference and it is informal at best.<ref name="multiple2">"Numbered Fleets". Federation of American Scientists: Military Analysis Network. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>
  • 2nd Fleet operates in the Atlantic Ocean from the North to South Pole, from the Eastern United States to Western Europe and Africa, and along both the Eastern & Western shores of Central and South America.<ref name="multiple2"/> It is based in Norfolk, Virginia and its flagship is USS Wasp (LHD-1).
  • 3rd Fleet's jurisdiction is the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Pacific Ocean along with the West Coast of the United States.<ref>"Mission Page". Commander, U.S. Third Fleet Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> In peacetime the Third Fleet has no Active Ready Group and its ships are either on their way to forward deployment with the Seventh Fleet or conducting training cruises. It is based in San Diego, California and its flagship is USS Coronado (AGF-11).
  • 4th Fleet operated in the South Atlantic during World War II and no longer exists.<ref name="multiple2"/>
  • 5th Fleet's area of responsibility is the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and parts of the Indian Ocean.<ref>"Area of Responsibility". Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> It is headquartered at Manama, Bahrain.
  • 6th Fleet deploys in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea.<ref>"About CNE-C6F". CNE-C6F Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> Based in Gaeta, Italy, its flagship is USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20).
  • 7th Fleet, the largest forward-deployed U.S. fleet, operates in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean, stretching to the Persian Gulf and including much of the east coast of Africa.<ref>"Forward Presence". U.S. Seventh Fleet Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> It is headquartered at Yokosuka, Japan and its flagship is USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19).
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Shore commands

Image:CVBG at Sea us navy web 971215-N-9785M-462.jpg In addition to afloat fleets, the Navy maintains several "Naval Forces Commands" which operate naval shore facilities and serve as liaison units to local ground forces of the Air Force and Army. Such commands are answerable to a Fleet Commander as the shore protector component of the afloat command. During times of war, all Naval Forces Commands augment to become task forces of a primary fleet.

Some of the larger Naval Forces Commands include:

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Staff corps

In addition to the regular line commands of the navy, several staff corps are also maintained which augment the line community and whose personnel are assigned to both line and staff commands. Members of the Staff Corps are specialists in fields that are themselves professional careers and not exclusive to the military, for example physicians and lawyers. Staff Corps officers wear distinct insignia on their uniforms to indicate their specialty.<ref>"Specialty Insignia - Staff Corps". U.S. Navy Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>

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Ships

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The names of commissioned ships of the U.S. Navy start with USS, meaning 'United States Ship'. Non-commissioned, civilian-manned vessels of the U.S. Navy have names that begin with USNS, standing for 'United States Naval Ship'. A letter-based hull classification symbol (for example CVN and DDG) is used to designate a vessel's type. The names of ships are officially selected by the Secretary of the Navy and are usually those of U.S. states, cities, towns, important people, famous battles, fish, and ideals.

The U.S. Navy pioneered the use of nuclear reactors aboard naval vessels. Today, nuclear energy powers most U.S. aircraft carriers and submarines. In the case of a Nimitz-class carrier, two naval reactors give it almost unlimited range and provide enough electrical energy to power a city of 100,000 people.<ref>"CVN-68 Nimitz Class". Globalsecurity.org. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> The U.S. Navy previously operated nuclear-powered cruisers and destroyers as well, but all have since been decommissioned.

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Aircraft carriers

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Aircraft carriers are the major strategic arm of the Navy and the crown jewels of its fleets. Because of their ability to put U.S. air power within reach of most military powers, carriers are the cornerstone of the United States’ forward presence and deterrence strategy. For this purpose, multiple carriers are deployed around the world at any given time. The power of a carrier naturally lies in the aircraft of its carrier air wing. Utilizing both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, a carrier air wing is able to perform over 150 strike missions hitting over 700 targets a day<ref>"Carrier Design". Globalsecurity.org. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>, protect friendly forces, conduct electronic warfare, assist in special operations, and carry out search and rescue missions. In addition to their airborne capabilities, carriers are also important as a command platform for a larger battle group. Modern aircraft carriers since USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)—though excluding USS Nimitz (CVN-68)—are typically named for living or dead politicians important to the Navy. Previous aircraft carriers were named for battles and past famous fighting ships of the Navy.

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Amphibious assault ships

Amphibious assault ships are the centerpieces of U.S. amphibious warfare and fulfill the same power projection role as aircraft carriers except that their striking force is comprised of land forces instead of aircraft. They deliver, command, and support all elements of a 2000-strong Marine Expeditionary Unit in an amphibious assault using air and amphibious vehicles. Resembling small carriers, amphibious assault ships are capable of V/STOL, STOVL, VTOL, tiltrotor, and rotary wing aircraft operations. They also contain a welldeck to support the use of Landing Craft Air Cushion and other watercraft. Amphibious assault ships are typically named after World War II aircraft carriers, a name source carried over from the earliest assault ships which actually were converted WWII carriers.

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Amphibious transport docks

Amphibious transport docks are warships that embark, transport, and land Marines, supplies, and equipment in support of amphibious warfare missions. This is accomplished through air cushions, conventional amphibious vehicles, and helicopters. They also have the capability to serve as a secondary aviation platform for an expeditionary group. Amphibious transport docks are named for cities, except for USS New York (LPD-21), which is named for the state of New York, and USS Somerset (LPD-25), which is named for Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

  • Austin class (10 in commission, 1 decommissioned, 1 converted to an auxiliary command ship)
  • San Antonio class (1 in commission, 4 under construction, 4 more planned)

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Battleships

Template:Seealso All U.S. battleships have been retired, although two Tomahawk-capable ships remain in "Inactive" Reserve. They are maintained in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act of 1996. Current plans in the United States Navy call for keeping the battleships on the NVR until the naval surface fire support gun and missile development programs achieve operational capability, which is expected to occur sometime between now and 2008. All battleships except USS Kearsarge (BB-5) were named for states.

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Cruisers

Template:Seealso Guided missile cruisers can conduct anti-air/anti-missile warfare, surface warfare, undersea warfare, and strike operations in support of a carrier strike group or other types of battle groups. They achieve this capability through a combination of the Aegis combat system, the surface-to-surface Tomahawk missile, and the surface-to-air RIM-67 Standard Missile 2. Although they have been surpassed in technology by newer destroyers, cruisers remain an important asset for the U.S. Navy. All cruisers since CG-47 have been named for famous battles. Previously, cruisers were either named for cities (until CG-12), former important navy figures (CG-15 to CG-35), or states (CG-36 to CG-42).

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Destroyers

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Destroyers are fast and maneuverable ships capable of sustained performance in a variety of missions. Its primary roles are to conduct anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and strike missions either independently or as a member of a larger battle group. Utilizing missiles, torpedoes, and the Aegis combat system, modern U.S. destroyers are extremely capable and are claimed by the Navy as ton-for-ton the most powerful vessels in its fleets, as well as its most advanced warships.<ref>Benson, Robert, USN. "The Arleigh Burke: Linchpin of the Navy". Asia Pacific Defense Forum Fall 1998. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> To further increase their capabilities, U.S. destroyers utilize LAMPS Mk III Sea Hawks to assist in anti-submarine warfare and other operations. Destroyers have been named for important navy personnel and heroes since the USS Bainbridge (DD-1).

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Dock landing ships

The dock landing ship is a medium amphibious transport that has a higher landing craft capacity than the amphibious transport dock at the price of less troop and equipment space and no helicopter hangar. As opposed to other amphibious warfare vessels, they were designed specifically to support and operate Landing Craft Air Cushions. Dock landing ships are named after locations in the United States.

  • Whidbey Island class (8 in commission)
  • Harpers Ferry class (4 in commission) - Modified Whidbey Island class that trades some landing craft space for cargo space and is thus closer to an amphibious transport dock in capacity.
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Frigates

Modern U.S. frigates mainly perform anti-submarine warfare and escort for carrier strike groups, amphibious expeditionary groups, supply convoys, and merchant shipping. They are designed to be used in low to medium threat environments and provide limited anti-ship missile protection. Independently, frigates are able to conduct counterdrug missions and maritime interception operations. The U.S. Navy expects to retire its current class of frigates by 2020.<ref>"FFG-7 OLIVER HAZARD PERRY-class Program Status". Globalsecurity.org. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> As in the case of destroyers, frigates are named after naval heroes.

Image:USS Louisville in Pearl Harbor.jpg

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Submarines

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The primary missions of submarines in the U.S. Navy are peacetime engagement, surveillance and intelligence, special operations, precision strikes, battlegroup operations, and denial of the seas.<ref>"Submarine Missions". Globalsecurity.org. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> The U.S. Navy operates two types: ballistic submarines and attack submarines. Ballistic submarines have only one mission and that is to carry and launch the nuclear Trident missile. Attack submarines have several tactical missions, including sinking ships and subs, launching cruise missiles, gathering intelligence, and assisting in special operations. Sea attack submarines are typically named for cities while land attack submarines (Virginia- and converted Ohio-class boats) are typically named for states. Earlier attack submarines were named for "denizens of the deep", while earlier ballistic missile submarines were named for "famous Americans" (although many of them were actually foreigners).

  • Ohio class (18 in commission) — ballistic missile submarines, 4 to be converted into guided missile submarines
  • Los Angeles class (49 in commission, 13 decommissioned) — attack submarines
  • Seawolf class (3 in commission) — attack submarines primarily designed to destroy Soviet ballistic submarines<ref>"SSN-21 Seawolf-class". Globalsecurity.org. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>
  • Virginia class (1 in commission, 3 under construction, 7 more planned) — attack submarines intended to be more flexible and cost-effective than the Seawolf class<ref>"SSN-774 Virginia-class". Globalsecurity.org. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>
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Historically significant vessels

  • USS Constitution — Nicknamed "Old Ironsides," it became famous in the War of 1812 and is currently the oldest commissioned warship afloat.
  • USS Monitor — The first U.S. ironclad warship, it also pioneered the rotating gun turret.
  • USS Merrimack — Previously a wooden warship, it was captured and rebuilt by the Confederates into the ironclad CSS Virginia.
  • USS Alligator — It was the first submarine built by the U.S. Navy, but it sunk while being towed during a storm and never saw combat.
  • H.L. Hunley — Although technically never a part of the U.S. Navy, this otherwise American vessel was the first submarine to sink a ship in a combat engagement by hitting the USS Housatonic with a spar-mounted torpedo. Unfortunately, the ship itself was lost during the operation. It was built by Confederate inventor Horace L. Hunley, who lost his life while operating the ship during a trial run.
  • USS Nautilus — Commissioned in 1954, the USS Nautilus was the first nuclear-powered warship in the world.
  • USS Long Beach — USS Long Beach was the first nuclear-powered surface warship in the world and the first large ship in the U.S. Navy to have guided missiles as its main weapon.
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Aircraft

Image:Four Super Hornets.jpg Template:Main

Aircraft are a critical component of the United States Navy’s fighting capacity. Together with the carriers from which they launch, aircraft form the core of the U.S. Navy's forward presence around the world. The ability to conduct sustained air attacks from anywhere in international waters provides United States leaders with significant diplomatic and crisis-management options. Through air power, the Navy is able to strike air, sea, and land targets far from a carrier strike group while protecting its own ships from enemy aircraft, ships, and submarines. Aircraft supply significant logistics support to maintain the Navy’s readiness and, through helicopters, provide platforms with which to conduct search and rescue missions and special operations.

The U.S. Navy began to research the use of aircraft at sea in the 1910s and commissioned the very first aircraft carrier, USS Langley, in 1922.<ref>"A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers: Part I - The Early Years". U.S. Navy Official Website. Accessed April 09, 2006.</ref> United States naval aviation fully came of age in World War II, when it became clear following the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of the Coral Sea, and the Battle of Midway that aircraft carriers and the planes that they carried had replaced the battleship as the greatest weapon on the seas. Navy aircraft also played a significant role in conflicts during the following Cold War years, with the F-4 Phantom II and the F-14 Tomcat becoming military icons of the era. The Navy's current primary fighter and attack airplanes are the multi-mission F/A-18 Hornet and its newer cousin the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

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Weapons systems

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Shipboard systems

Current U.S. Navy shipboard weapons systems are almost entirely focused on missiles, both as a weapon and as a threat. In an offensive role, missiles are intended to strike targets at long distances with accuracy and precision. As unmanned objects, missiles also allow for attacks on heavily defended targets without risk to human pilots. Land and sea strikes are the domain of the BGM-109 Tomahawk, which was first deployed in the 1980s and is continually being updated to increase its capabilities. While the Tomahawk can be used in an anti-ship capacity, the Navy's dedicated missile for this role is the AGM-84 Harpoon. To defend against enemy missile attack, the Navy operates a number of systems that are all coordinated by the Aegis combat system. Medium-long range defense is provided by the Standard Missile 2, which has been deployed since the 1980s. The Standard missile doubles as the primary shipboard anti-aircraft weapon and is also being developed as a component for theater ballistic missile defense. Short range defense against missiles is provided by the Phalanx CIWS and the more recently developed RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile. In addition to missiles, the Navy also employs various types of torpedoes and mines. Image:Ordnancemen with GBU-12 bombs.jpg

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Aircraft systems

The primary offensive aircraft of the U.S. Navy are the F/A-18C/D Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. They employ much of the same weapons as the United States Air Force for both air-to-air and air-to-surface combat. Air engagements are handled by the heat-seeking Sidewinder and the radar guided AMRAAM missiles along with the M61 Vulcan for close range dogfighting. For surface strikes, Navy aircraft utilize a combination of missiles, smart bombs, and dumb bombs. On the list of available missiles are the Maverick, SLAM-ER, and JSOW. Smart bombs include the GPS-guided JDAM and the laser-guided Paveway series. Unguided munitions such as dumb bombs and cluster bombs round out the rest of the aircraft deployed weapons.

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Nuclear weapons

The U.S. Navy is capable of deploying nuclear weapons through two means: ballistic missile submarines and aircraft. The Ohio-class submarine carries the latest iteration of the Trident missile, a three stage, underwater launched, nuclear ICBM with MIRV capability. The current Trident II (D5) version is expected to be in service past 2020.<ref>"Trident Fleet Ballistic Missile". U.S. Navy Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> The Navy’s other nuclear weapon is the aircraft-deployed B61 nuclear bomb. The B61 is a thermonuclear device that can be dropped by strike aircraft such as the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet at high speed from a large range of altitudes. They can be released through free-fall or parachute and can be set to detonate in the air or on the ground.

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Special warfare

Image:Navy SEALS training.jpg Template:Seealso

The major players in U.S. Navy special operations are Navy SEALs and Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCCs, pronounced “swicks”). The SEALs take their name from the environments in and from which they can operate: SEa, Air, and Land. As befitting their title, the SEALs are a flexible group of elite warriors who are trained to conduct clandestine warfare in any setting, most often in small-unit actions. What sets them apart from other special warfare units in the United States military is their expertise in maritime operations — striking from and returning to the sea.<ref>"SEAL Missions". Official U.S. Navy SEAL Information Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> Working in conjunction with the SEALs are the SWCCs, who are the elite small ship and watercraft operators in the Navy. Organized into Special Boat Teams, SWCCs specialize in the insertion and extraction of SEALs in hostile territory, coastal patrol and surveillance, and the boarding and searching of vessels.<ref>"U.S. Navy Special Boat Squadrons". Global Special Operations 101. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>

Navy special operations fall under the jurisdiction of Naval Special Warfare Command, the Navy branch of United States Special Operations Command. Within Naval Special Warfare Command are six operational entities: four Special Warfare Groups, the Special Warfare Development Group, and the Special Warfare Center.

  • Naval Special Warfare Group ONE and Group TWO each consist of five teams of Navy SEALs and a few Naval Special Warfare Units. NSW units are charged with overall command and control and planning of special operations within their geographic jurisdiction.
  • Group THREE is made up of SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams and one Special Boat Team that is shared with Group FOUR. SEALs who are assigned to SDV teams specialize in the use of SDVs and Advanced SEAL Delivery Systems (ASDSs). These watercraft are submersibles that are designed to insert SEAL operators from long distances offshore.
  • Group FOUR is comprised of all of the Navy's Special Boat Teams.<ref>"Component Commands". Official U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>
  • The Navy Special Warfare Development Group, also known as Dev Group or DEVGRU, is the United States military's premier maritime counter-terrorist unit. While the Navy confirms the existence of the unit, it merely states that the role of Dev Group is to test, evaluate, and develop technology and maritime ground and airborne tactics for Navy Special Warfare.<ref>"Naval Special Warfare Command - excerpt from JCS SOF Reference Manual". Navyseals.com. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> No official mention of counter-terrorism concerning DEVGRU is made. Clearly then, much of the information regarding this unit is classified, but it is estimated that it contains approximately 200 active operators.<ref>"Naval Special Warfare Development Group". Specialoperations.com. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>
  • The Naval Special Warfare Center, located in Coronado, California, is the main training center for Navy special operations personnel. It is here that SEAL recruits undergo the initial six-month-long Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) course. Following three weeks of additional parachute training with the Army, recruits return to Coronado for the 19-week SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), after which they are officially named a SEAL.<ref>"SEAL Challenge Contract Instructions". Official U.S. Navy SEAL Information Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>

Although not under the jurisdiction of NSW Command, Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Units often work closely with special operations teams. Trained to be combat-ready and highly mobile, EOD units are entrusted with nullifying hazardous ordnance in a number of different maritime environments.<ref>"United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal". Specwarnet.com. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> They are also able to conduct underwater anti-mine operations using marine mammals.<ref>"U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Fleet Systems". U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref>

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Coastal warfare

Protection of naval assets and coastal and harbor defense are placed under the jurisdiction of two Naval Coastal Warfare Groups: one for the Pacific Fleet and one for the Atlantic Fleet. Within these groups are Mobile Security Squadrons and Naval Coastal Warfare Squadrons. MSSs deploy Mobile Security Detachments that protect high value naval targets from terrorist attacks in ports and harbors where U.S. shore infrastructure is limited or does not exist. Naval Coastal Warfare Squadrons provide surveillance and security in harbors, coasts, and inshore areas. They are comprised of Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Units (MIUWUs) and Inshore Boat Units (IBUs). MIUWUs are charged with security, observation, and communications support for commanders operating in an inshore/coast environment, including anchorages and harbors. In the same operating environment, IBUs manage security and surveillance water craft for interdiction and surveillance.

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Major naval bases

Image:Super Hornet launch.jpg Template:Seealso The size, complexity, and international presence of the United States Navy requires a large number naval installations to support its operations. While the majority of bases are located on the West and East coasts of the United States, the Navy maintains a significant number of naval facilities abroad, either in U.S.-controlled territories or in foreign countries under a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

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Personnel

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Commissioned officer

Template:Seealso Commissioned officers in the Navy have paygrades from O-1 to O-10. Officers with superior performance may be promoted. Officers between O-1 and O-4 are called junior officers, O-5 and O-6 are called senior officers, and O-7 to O-10 are called flag officers.

Commissioned officers belong to one of the following communities:

The term "line" officer means someone who may command a warship or an aviation unit. It is a carryover from the 18th-century British tactic of employing warships in a "line" to take advantage of cannons on each side of the ship. The captains of such vessels commanded "ships of the line." Today, all Navy line officers wear a star on the sleeves of uniforms near the cuff braid that denotes rank. Staff officers wear different insignias. Note: Marine Corps officers, also part of the Department of the Navy, are all considered "line" officers because they are qualified as troop commanders in addition to their specialties.

Commissioned officers originate from the United States Naval Academy, Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), Officer Candidate School (OCS), direct commission, and other commissioning programs (such as Seaman to Admiral-21 and Limited Duty Officer programs).

Officer Rank Structure of the United States Navy
Fleet Admiral Admiral Vice Admiral Rear Admiral Upper Half Rear Admiral Lower Half Captain Commander Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant Lieutenant Junior Grade Ensign
O-11 O-10 O-9 O-8 O-7 O-6 O-5 O-4 O-3 O-2 O-1
Image:FleetAdmiral.gif Image:Admiral insignia.gif Image:Vice Admiral insignia.gif Image:Real Admiral insignia uh.gif Image:Real Admiral insignia lh.gif Image:Captain insignia.gif Image:Commander insignia.gif Image:Lieutenant Commander insignia.gif Image:Lieutenant insignia.gif Image:Lieutenant Junior Grade insignia.gif Image:Ensign insignia.gif
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Enlisted

Template:Seealso Enlisted members of the Navy have paygrades from E-1 to E-9. Enlisted members with superior performance may be advanced in paygrade. Two notably significant advancements are Seaman to Petty Officer Third Class (E-3 to E-4) and Petty Officer First Class to Chief Petty Officer (E-6 to E-7). Advancement to Chief Petty Officer is especially significant, marked by a special initiation ceremony.

All new active-duty enlisted members receive basic training ("boot camp") at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Those who have a contract for a specific rating continue onto "A" schools for training in the rating. Those who don't have a specific rating go into the fleet to learn on the job and later strike for a rating. Some members may go to additonal training in a "C" school either before a tour of duty, or after a tour of duty. A "C" school assigns a member a Navy Enlisted Classification code, or NEC, which shows that a sailor is able to perform a specific task requiring that NEC, such as NEC 2780 - Network Security Vulnerablity Technician.

Enlisted members of paygrades E-4 and above are said to be "rated" and have a rating: an occupational specialty. As of June 2005, there are more than 50 ratings, including Boatswain's Mate, Quartermaster, Engineman, Damage Controlman, Electronics Technician, Information Systems Technician, Air Traffic Controller, Fire Control Technician, Gunner's Mate, Sonar Technician, Construction Mechanic, Hospital Corpsman, Yeoman, Disbursing Clerk, Culinary Specialist, Photographer's Mate, Musician, Master-at-Arms, Aviation Electronics Technician, and Cryptologic Technician. Some ratings have subspecialties acquired either through an initial "A" school for training (such as Cryptologic Technician Technical and Cryptologic Technician Collection) or through a separate "C" school (such as Aviation Electronics Technician Organizational and Aviation Electronics Technician Intermediate.)

Non Commissioned Officer Rank Structure of the United States Navy
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Senior Chief Petty Officer Chief Petty Officer Petty Officer First Class
E-9 E-9 E-8 E-7 E-6
Image:MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE NAVY.gif Image:MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER.gif Image:SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER.gif Image:CHIEF PETTY OFFICER.gif Image:PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS.gif
Enlisted Rank Structure of the United States Navy
Petty Officer Second Class Petty Officer Third Class Seaman Seaman Apprentice Seaman Recruit
E-5 E-4 E-3 E-2 E-1
Image:PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS.gif Image:PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS.gif Image:SEAMAN.gif Image:SEAMAN APPRENTICE.gif no insignia
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Qualifications

Sailors prove they have mastered skills and deserve responsibilities by completing Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS) tasks and examinations. Among the most important is the "warfare qualification," which denotes a journeyman level of capability in Aviation Warfare, Special Warfare, Surface Warfare, or Submarine Warfare. Many qualifications are denoted on a sailor's uniform with U.S. Navy badges and insignia.

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Sea Warrior

Launched in 2003 as part of the Navy's Sea Power 21 transformation plan, Sea Warrior is intended to link the fleet's personnel processes (recruiting, training, and assigning) with acquisition processes (buying ships, aircraft, etc.) in a way that also improves each individual sailor's ability to guide his or her own career in a satisfying direction. The aim is to more efficiently muster the right number of sailors with the right skills and seniority at each ship, squadron, and duty station.

Sea Warrior is led by the Chief of Naval Personnel, and the commander of the Naval Education and Training Command.

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Uniforms

Template:Main The uniforms of the United States Navy are designed to combine professionalism and naval heritage with versatility, safety, and comfort.<ref>"Task Force Uniform". Navy Personnel Command. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> The Navy currently incorporates many different styles that are specific for a variety of uses and occasions. In most cases, distinctions are made to distinguish officers and enlisted men in their uniformed appearance. U.S. Navy uniforms can generally be divided into three categories: dress uniforms, service uniforms, and working uniforms.

  • Dress uniforms are worn during military-related formal occasions, such as ceremonies and other official functions. Many types of dress uniforms are used in the Navy with the full range of formal requirements represented. Service dress is the least formal dress uniform, full dress is one step higher in formality, and mess dress is the most formal dress available.
  • Service uniforms are designed for daily wear and are most often worn in office or classroom-type settings, as well as other occasions in which physical activity is at a minimum.<ref>Fouch, Michael, USN. "New Navy Working Uniform and Service Uniform Concepts Approved". Navy Newstand. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> The most visible distinction between officers and enlisted personnel are the color of the service uniform. Only officers and chief petty officers are authorized to wear service khaki; all other personnel must wear winter blue or summer white.
  • Working uniforms prioritize comfort and safety first and thus are the least attractive of the Navy uniforms. They are intended for use in underway ships and in occasions that involve dirty, physical labor. Many working uniforms are variations of the service uniforms except with less formal requirements. This category includes Navy coveralls, which are authorized to be worn by members of all ranks.
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Naval culture

Image:Naval Jack of the United States.svg Image:US Naval Jack.svg Navy sailors are trained in the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.<ref>"Core Values of the United States Navy". U.S. Navy Official Website. Accessed April 08, 2006.</ref> Sailors cope with boredom on long cruises of six months to a year, and cherish their time in their home ports, as well as liberty at ports overseas.

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Naval jack

The current naval jack of the United States is the First Navy Jack, which was first used during the American Revolutionary War. On May 31, 2002, Secretary of the Navy Gordon England directed all U.S. naval ships to fly the First Navy Jack for the duration of the War on Terrorism. Many ships chose to shift colors later that year on the first anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The previous naval jack was a blue field with 50 white stars, identical to the canton of the ensign (the Flag of the United States) both in appearance and size. A jack of similar design was used in 1794, though with 13 stars arranged in a 3–2–3–2–3 pattern. When a ship is moored or anchored, the jack is flown from the bow of the ship while the ensign is flown from the stern. When underway, the ensign is raised on the main mast.

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Naval jargon

Template:Seealso

A distinct jargon has developed among sailors over the course of the last four centuries. Naval jargon is spoken by American sailors as a normal part of their daily speech.

There are three distinct components of Naval jargon:

  • Words that are unique to sailing and have no use in standard English, such as yardarm, bow, and stern.
  • Archaic English that remains common in naval jargon, such as "aye" (the common English word for "Yes" until the 16th century), "Fo'c'sle" (from Fore Castle), and Bo'sun (from "Boat Swain", swain being Middle English for a young man or a servant).
  • Modern jargon, such as "Bird" to refer to missiles, or 1MC
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Notable U.S. Navy people

Image:John Paul Jones.jpg Template:Main Many past and present United States historical figures have served in the Navy. Notable officers include Commodore Matthew Perry, who fully opened Tokugawa-era Japan to the West, and Chester Nimitz, Admiral of the Pacific Fleet in World War II. A number of former Presidents were in the Navy as well, including John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush. Some members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, for example John McCain and John Kerry, have also seen Navy service. Other notable former members of the U.S. Navy include astronauts, entertainers, authors, and professional athletes.

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Notes

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References

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See also

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External links

Template:United States armed forcesde:United States Navy es:Armada de los Estados Unidos fr:United States Navy it:United States Navy he:הצי האמריקני nl:United States Navy ja:アメリカ海軍 no:United States Navy pl:Marynarka Wojenna Stanów Zjednoczonych pt:Marinha dos Estados Unidos da América ru:Военно-морские силы США simple:United States Navy sl:Vojna mornarica Združenih držav Amerike fi:Yhdysvaltain laivasto sv:USA:s flotta zh:美國海軍

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