“It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definite, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.” – George Washington
October 13th commemorates the birthday of the
United States Navy, 238 years ago today. It was founded in 1775, before the
official birth of our country.
The US Navy traces it origins to the Continental Navy, which
the Continental Congress established on this day over 200 years ago, by
authorizing the procurements, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two (yes,
two) armed vessels to cruise around in search of munitions ships supplying the
British Army in America. The legislation also established a Naval Committee to
supervise the work. Over the course of the Revolution, the Continental Navy
numbered about 50 ships, with approximately 20 warships active at its maximum
strength. It was disbanded at the end of the war.
The Constitution, ratified in 1789, empowered Congress “to
provide and maintain a navy.” Acting on this authority, Congress ordered the
construction and manning of six frigates in 1794 and the War Department
administered naval affairs from that year until Congress established the
Department of the Navy on April 30, 1798.
Today, the US Navy has exceeded its modest roots by now
being larger than the next thirteen largest navies (combined in terms of battle
fleet tonnage). It also has the world’s largest carrier fleet, with ten in
service, one under construction (two planned), and two in reserve. The service
has over 317,000 personnel on active duty and over 100,000 in the Navy Reserve.
It operates 285 ships in active service and more than 3,700 aircraft.
The US Navy is a blue-water navy (a maritime force capable
of operating across the deep waters of open oceans) able to project force onto
the littoral regions of the world, engage in forward areas during peacetime,
and rapidly respond to regional crises, making it an active player in US
foreign and defense policy.
“The mission of the United States Navy is to protect and defend the right of the United States and our allies to move freely on the oceans and to protect our country against her enemies.” – New Recruits Handbook
The Navy’s three primary areas of responsibility are:
- The preparation of naval forces necessary for the effective prosecution of war;
- The maintenance of naval aviation, including land-based naval aviation, air transport essential for naval operations and all air weapons and air techniques involved in the operations and activities of the Navy; and
- The development of aircraft, weapons, tactics, technique, organization, and equipment of naval combat and service elements.
