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Military 101:

The U.S. Navy

Tulsa underway in U.S. Third Fleet 

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

03.28.2021

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Colby Mothershead

Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

By: Joe Paul, Policy Analyst

The United States Navy is one of the country’s seven uniformed services. It is most often the first service to contact adversaries and is the United States’ principal power projection force. Through the use of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, the U.S. Navy keeps ships near strategic interests and acts as a deterrent to aggression against the U.S. and its allies, as well as maintains maritime law.

The Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces whose primary mission is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and ensuring freedom of the seas. The Navy operates globally, providing maritime and economic security and power projection in support of national interests.

Mission

Per the U.S. Navy official website, “the United States is a maritime nation, and the U.S. Navy protects America at sea. Alongside our allies and partners, we defend freedom, preserve economic prosperity, and keep the seas open and free…” The Navy does this through force projection of forward deployed assets such as carriers strike forces and overseas bases.

History

Officially, the Navy was established in 1798. However, naval historians credit the start of the Navy to the Continental Navy of 1775, which was disbanded after the American Revolution.

The history of the Navy is divided into two ages: the “Old Navy” from the age of sail and including the ironclads of the US Civil War and the “New Navy” that emerged afterward based on constant modernization. The Navy still maintains the USS Constitution, which is the oldest ship in the fleet and was launched in 1797. Currently, the USS Constitution is maintained by Naval officers and crew.  

The “Old Navy” began when U.S. merchant traffic came under the fire of Barbary pirates from Northern African states. President George Washington’s administration requested Congress pass the Naval Act of 1794 creating a standing U.S. naval force and authorization to build six frigates. Frigates are smaller ships built for speed and maneuverability and used for patrol or escorts for larger ships. The U.S. Naval Academy was established in 1845 on the grounds of Old Fort Severn in Annapolis, Maryland, where future officers, called “midshipmen,” train today.

By 1882, the U.S. Navy was outdated and ready for modernization in both size and style of ships. The U.S. was ready for a “New Navy.” Over the following years, the Navy built modern steel armored cruisers and some of the first battleships. 

By 1898, the investment showed, with the U.S. winning two major naval engagements in the Spanish-American War. This success led to the Navy’s wider reach and over the next century the Navy maintained forces in both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. By the end of WWI, the Navy had more officers and sailors in uniform than the British Royal Navy.

The modern U.S. Navy is the direct result of lessons learned in WWII and the War on Terror. Namely, the U.S. needs to have force projection, or the ability to deploy and maintain forces, and a fleet that is capable of multiple roles. Along with maintaining ships, boats and other marine crafts, the Navy also has the second largest fleet of aircraft, behind the U.S. Air Force.

The Fleet

The Navy deploys many types of ships and other craft. In general, ships are classified as carriers, cruisers and destroyers, submarines, amphibious crafts, littoral combat ships, and hospital ships.

The United States Navy is one of the country’s seven uniformed services. It is most often the first service to contact adversaries and is the United States’ principal power projection force. Through the use of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, the U.S. Navy keeps ships near strategic interests and acts as a deterrent to aggression against the U.S. and its allies, as well as maintains maritime law.

The Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces whose primary mission is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and ensuring freedom of the seas. The Navy operates globally, providing maritime and economic security and power projection in support of national interests.

Carriers

The largest ships in the fleet are, by far, the aircraft carriers. Whether designed to accommodate jet fighters or helicopters, these ships focus on force projection, securing maritime law and deterring aggression against the United States or its allies. There are four classes of carriers: the Gerald R. Ford, the Nimitz, the America and the Wasp. The current Gerald R. Ford-class of carriers has a complement of over 500 officers and almost 3,800 enlisted in its crew. When battle-ready, a Nimitz-class carrier has over 5,600 crew of which about 2,300 belong to the Air Wing. The Air Wing is the planes, officers and crew that make the aircraft carrier such a potent offensive force; it is semi-autonomous from the carrier itself which is run by the ship’s officers and crew.

Special Forces

Established during the President John F. Kennedy, the U.S. Navy SEALS (Sea, Air and Land Team) serve a highly specialized role in U.S. military operations specializing in unconventional warfare. SEAL duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Conduct insertions and extractions by sea, air or land to accomplish covert missions.

  • Capture high-value enemy personnel and terrorists around the world.

  • Collect information and intelligence through special reconnaissance missions.

  • Carry out small, close-fire missions against military targets.

  • Perform underwater reconnaissance and the demolition of man-made or natural obstacle prior to an amphibious landing.

Cruisers & Destroyers

Cruisers are large, multi-mission ships that often work with carriers and other craft to complete missions. Given their size and speed, cruisers often serve as the flagships. Additionally, the ships are equipped with long range missiles. Destroyers are the primary warship of the U.S. Navy and are essential for maintaining freedom. They can operate independently or as part of strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups and underway replenishment groups.

Submarines

U.S. submarines are among the most technical vessels and are used as platforms for guided and ballistic missiles, anti-submarine warfare and reconnaissance. Submarines can also covertly bring Navy SEAL teams into hostile environments.

Amphibious Force

The Navy Amphibious Force can move large numbers of U.S. Marine forces quickly through landing crafts and helicopters, all while providing fixed wing aircraft support. Amphibious warfare is an offensive military operation using naval ships to place ground and air assets onto hostile shores in a designated landing zone. Throughout history, these operations were conducted using the ship’s boats as a primary method of delivering U.S. Marines to the shore. Generally, boats can be carried by ships and have a command and crew even in port.

Littoral Combat Ships

The newest additions to the Naval Fleet are the Freedom and Independence-class littoral combat ships, which are designed for operations close to the shore. These ships are designed to switch operation goals with ease.

Hospital Ships and Other Craft

The rest of the fleet consists of support ships ranging from resupply ships, oilers, hospital ships and numerous smaller craft. The Navy also operates its own construction battalion, known as the Seabees. The Seabees were established by Congress in response to the need for facilities to support the island-hopping U.S. strategy of the Pacific during WWII and the need to create airfields, barracks, hospitals, mess halls and more around landing zones to serve as forward bases of operations.

Organization and Ranks

The organizational structure of the United States Navy is designed to efficiently and effectively deploy maritime power. At its core, the Navy is structured into various units, from individual ships to expansive fleets, each playing a crucial role in maintaining naval superiority and projecting force worldwide.

At the lowest level, the Navy is comprised of individual ships, which serve as the fundamental operational units of the fleet. These ships range from aircraft carriers, destroyers and submarines to support vessels such as supply ships and hospital ships. Each ship is typically commanded by a commissioned officer, often a captain or commander, who is responsible for its operation, crew and mission readiness.

Multiple ships are organized into squadrons or groups, forming the next level of the Navy’s organizational structure. Squadrons consist of similar types of ships, such as a carrier strike group composed of an aircraft carrier, guided-missile cruisers, destroyers, and other supporting vessels. These squadrons are led by senior officers, such as commodores or rear admirals, who oversee the training, readiness and deployment of the ships under their command.

Above squadrons are naval fleets, which are composed of multiple squadrons and serve as the primary operational units of the Navy.

The U.S. Navy operates several fleets, each responsible for specific regions of the world. For example, the U.S. Pacific Fleet operates in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, while the U.S. Fleet Forces Command oversees naval operations in the Atlantic and Arctic regions.

Each fleet is commanded by a four-star admiral, known as a fleet admiral or commander, who is responsible for the overall readiness and combat effectiveness of the naval forces under their purview.

Additionally, the Navy is organized into specialized commands responsible for specific functions, such as training, logistics, and research and development. These commands support the operational forces by providing essential services, resources and expertise necessary for mission success. 

Overall, the organizational structure of the United States Navy is designed to maximize operational flexibility, strategic mobility and combat effectiveness, ensuring that the Navy remains ready to defend the nation’s interests and respond to crises anywhere in the world.

Ranks of Enlisted and Officers

Ranks in the Navy differ from other branches in that they are called “ratings.” Enlisted ranks range from seaman recruit to master chief petty officer, while officer ranks range from ensign to admiral.

Like other branches of the military, Navy personnel are assigned specific roles and responsibilities based on their rank and expertise or “rating.” One example is the crossed anchors insignia of the boatswain’s mates who are personnel tasked with keeping the equipment on a ship or boat in good working order.

Navy officers can also hold rank as a Chief Warrant Officer, which are specialized officers who lead and manage specific areas on a ship that require a commissioned officer. In this image, an aviation boatswain’s mate is stenciling their insignia on the ship to denote the space is their responsibility.

Enlisted Ranks

  • Seaman Recruit (E-1) 
  • Seaman Apprentice (E-2)
  • Seaman (E-3)    
  • Petty Officer Third Class (E-4)
  • Petty Officer Second Class (E-5)
  • Petty Officer First Class (E-6)
  • Chief Petty Officer (E-7)
  • Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8)
  • Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9)
  • Command Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9)

Each ship or shore facility has a Command Master Chief, and each Fleet or Force has a Master Chief.

Officer Ranks:

  • Ensign (O-1) – gold bar
  • Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2) – silver bar
  • Lieutenant (O-3) – two silver bars
  • Lieutenant Commander (O-4) – gold leaf
  • Commander (O-5) – silver leaf
  • Captain (O-6) – silver eagle          
  • Rear Admiral Lower Half (O-7) – silver star
  • Rear Admiral Upper Half (O-8) – 2 silver stars
  • Vice Admiral (O-9) – 3 silver stars
  • Admiral (O-10) – 4 silver stars

The highest-ranking enlisted member of the Navy is the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. The Commander-in-Chief is the top rank for both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, and they hold the rank of Admiral. The Chief of Naval Operations (above, Admiral Lisa Franchetti visiting naval cadets at Rickover Naval Academy High School) is the highest officer in the Navy and holds the rank of Admiral. Five-star Admirals are only awarded during times of declared war.

US Naval Academy Formal Parade 

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES

04.13.2011

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Chadwick Runge

U.S. Navy

Most officers come into the Navy through one of three methods: the U.S. Naval Academy, Officer Candidate School or through a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program on a college campus.

Once commissioned, officers will go to follow-on schools in aviation, surface warfare, submarine warfare, supply or judge advocate general. Most of these schools are in Newport, Rhode Island, while the U.S Naval Aviation Schools Command is in Pensacola, Florida, and trains aviation specialties for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and partner nation’s officers and enlisted personnel.

The mission areas of surface warfare, aviation, submarine, construction, logistics, administration and intelligence offer a variety of opportunities for personnel to explore whatever specialty fits their skill set.

There are 12 aviation military occupation specialty codes (MOS); seven construction military occupation specialty codes; 28 general military occupation specialty codes that range from boatswain’s mate, mess specialist and gunner’s mate to quartermasters and yeoman; there are ten engineering military occupation specialty codes.

U.S. Navy personnel fulfill critical job functions as:

  • Operations specialists — Coordinate and direct the movement of ships and aircraft, as well as monitoring and controlling communications and sensors.
  • Aviation — Operate helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement and other missions.
  • Engineer and maintenance — Maintain and repair ships, aircraft and other equipment used by the fleet.
  • Personnel — Perform human resource functions such as administrative duties, maintenance of records for officers and crew, and program management.
  • Intelligence — Gather and analyze intelligence to support Navy missions and contribute to national security efforts.

All the positions within the Navy center around the Navy’s need to maintain, train and equip naval forces that are combat-ready and capable of deterring aggression, maintaining maritime freedom and winning wars. This requires ships and ground forces with highly skilled officers and crews to maintain and operate some of the world’s most sophisticated technology.