United States Navy

United States Navy
Unit name	United States Navy
Caption	Seal of the U.S. Department of the Navy
Founded	13 October 1775
Country	United States
Type	Navy
Role	Naval warfare
Size	349,593 active personnel
Command structure	United States Department of Defense
Garrison	The Pentagon
Garrison label	Headquarters
Motto	"Semper Fortis" (Always Courageous), "Non sibi sed patriae" (Not self, but country)
Colors	Blue and Gold
Anniversaries	13 October
Commander1	Lloyd Austin
Commander1 label	United States Secretary of Defense
Commander2	Carlos Del Toro
Commander2 label	United States Secretary of the Navy
Commander3	Lisa Franchetti
Commander3 label	Chief of Naval Operations
Notable commanders	John Paul Jones, Chester W. Nimitz, Ernest King, Hyman G. Rickover

United States Navy. The United States Navy is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services. It is the largest and most capable navy in the world, with the highest combined battle fleet tonnage and the world's largest aircraft carrier fleet. Tracing its origins to the Continental Navy established during the American Revolutionary War, it plays a crucial role in maintaining freedom of navigation, deterring aggression, and securing global maritime trade routes.

History

The naval service was formally established by the Second Continental Congress in 1775, with key early actions fought by captains like John Paul Jones. Following a period of dissolution after the Treaty of Paris (1783), it was re-established as the permanent United States Department of the Navy in 1798. The 19th century saw actions against the Barbary pirates, the War of 1812, and the pivotal use of ironclads like USS Monitor during the American Civil War. Its transformation into a global power began in the early 20th century with the Great White Fleet and was cemented by its decisive role in the Pacific War of World War II, under admirals such as Chester W. Nimitz and Raymond Spruance. The Cold War era was defined by nuclear deterrence, with the development of ballistic missile submarines following the vision of Hyman G. Rickover, and confrontations such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. In recent decades, it has been central to operations in the Persian Gulf, the War in Afghanistan, and maintaining presence in the South China Sea.

Organization

The Navy is a component of the United States Department of Defense and is administered by the United States Department of the Navy, a civilian-led agency headed by the United States Secretary of the Navy. The senior uniformed officer is the Chief of Naval Operations, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Operationally, forces are organized under several unified combatant commands, primarily United States Indo-Pacific Command and United States Central Command. The fleet itself is divided into numbered fleets, such as the United States Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific and the United States Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. Major administrative branches include the United States Naval Special Warfare Command, which oversees the SEAL Teams, and the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Personnel

As of 2024, the Navy has over 340,000 active-duty personnel and nearly 100,000 in the Ready Reserve. Commissioned officers are trained primarily at the United States Naval Academy, through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at universities like University of Texas at Austin, and through Officer Candidate School. The enlisted force advances through ranks from Seaman Recruit to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. Key enlisted ratings include Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Information Systems Technician, and Nuclear Field programs. Notable personnel have included astronauts like Alan Shepard, former President Gerald Ford, and Medal of Honor recipients such as James E. Williams.

Ships and aircraft

The Navy's fleet exceeds 290 deployable battle force ships, centered on 11 ''Nimitz''-class and ''Gerald R. Ford''-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Major surface combatants include ''Ticonderoga''-class cruisers and ''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyers, equipped with the Aegis Combat System. The submarine force consists of ''Ohio''-class ballistic missile and guided missile submarines, and fast-attack submarines like the ''Virginia''-class. Key aircraft include the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the F-35C Lightning II, the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and helicopters like the MH-60R Seahawk. Future platforms include the Columbia-class submarine and the DDG(X) destroyer program.

Bases and facilities

The Navy maintains a global network of bases and facilities. Major continental United States naval bases include Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, the world's largest naval station; Naval Base San Diego in California; and Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut. Key shipyards are Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. Strategic overseas bases include Naval Support Activity Bahrain in the Persian Gulf, Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam in Hawaii. The service also operates major testing ranges like the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.

Culture and traditions

Navy culture is steeped in tradition, including the ringing of a ship's bell and the observance of ceremonies like Crossing the Line when passing the equator. The service's core values are "Honor, Courage, Commitment." Distinctive uniforms include the Service Dress Blues and the iconic "crackerjack" dress uniform for enlisted sailors. Important symbols are the First Navy Jack and the Navy Hymn ("Eternal Father, Strong to Save"). Rivalries are celebrated, such as the annual Army–Navy Game against the United States Military Academy and the intense competition for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. The service is also known for its musical units, including the United States Navy Band.

Category:United States Navy Category:Navies