View source for Navy

{{Short description|Maritime warfare service branch of the U.S. military}}
{{redirect|USN}}
{{For|civilian military department for naval forces|United States Department of the Navy}}
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{{use American English|date=December 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = United States Navy
| image                         = Emblem of the United States Navy.svg
| caption                       = Emblem of the United States Navy
| dates                         = 
| country                       = {{Flagu|United States}}
| type                          = [[Navy]]
| role                          = 
| size                          = 334,896 active duty personnel<ref name="Defense Manpower Data Center- Active Duty Military Strength Report">[Strength Changes (Last 12 Months)</ref><br />54,741 Navy Reserve personnel<ref name="Defense Manpower Data Center- Selected Reserves by Rank/Grade">[https://dwp.dmdc.osd.mil/dwp/api/download?fileName=DRS_42486_SelRes_202307.pdf&groupName=resRankGrade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918045809/https://dwp.dmdc.osd.mil/dwp/api/download?fileName=DRS_42486_SelRes_202307.pdf&groupName=resRankGrade |date=18 September 2023 }}, DMDC official website, accessed 14 September 2023</ref><br />387,637 total uniformed personnel (official data as of July 31, 2023)<br />279,471 civilian employees ({{As of|2018}})<ref name="status"/><br />480 [[List of current ships of the United States Navy|ships total]], of which 300 are deployable ({{As of|2019}})<ref name="status"/><br />2,623 aircraft ({{As of|2018}})<ref name="WAF2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/21905|title=World Air Forces 2018|publisher=flightglobal.com|page=17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614045619/https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/21905|archive-date=14 June 2018|access-date=1 May 2022}}{{Registration required}}</ref>
| command_structure             = [[United States Armed Forces]]<br />[[United States Department of the Navy|Department of the Navy]]
| garrison                      = [[The Pentagon]] <br />{{nowrap|[[Arlington County, Virginia]], U.S.}}
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = {{lang|la|Semper Fortis}} ('Always Courageous'), (unofficial).<br />{{lang|la|Non sibi sed patriae}} ('Not for self but for country') (unofficial)
| colors                        = Blue and gold<ref>{{cite web|title=Customs and Traditions, Navy|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/c/customs-traditions-navy.html#navycolors|publisher=United States Navy|website=History.Navy.mil|access-date=27 August 2022|quote=The official Navy colors are blue and gold|archive-date=20 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820212705/https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/c/customs-traditions-navy.html#navycolors|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=America's Navy Color Palette: Digital|url=https://media.defense.gov/2021/Apr/08/2002616384/-1/-1/1/FINALLICENSINGGUIDELINES_DIGITAL_2162021.PDF#page=34|work=United States Navy Licensing Guide|date=8 April 2021|access-date=27 August 2022|archive-date=31 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831225037/https://media.defense.gov/2021/Apr/08/2002616384/-1/-1/1/FINALLICENSINGGUIDELINES_DIGITAL_2162021.PDF#page=34|url-status=live}}</ref><br />{{color box|#022A3A}}&nbsp;{{color box|#E8B00F}}
| colors_label                  = Colors
| march                         = "[[Anchors Aweigh]]" {{audio|AnchorsAweigh.ogg|Play}}
| mascot                        = 
| equipment                     = [[List of equipment of the United States Navy]]
| equipment_label               = 
| start_date                    = 27 March 1794<br />({{Age in years and months|1794|3|27}})<br />(in current form)
----
13 October 1775<br />({{Age in years and months|1775|10|13}})<br />(as the [[Continental Navy]])<ref name="Establishment of the Navy, 13 October 1775">{{cite web|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/e/establishment-of-the-navy.html|title=Establishment of the Navy, 13 October 1775|publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command|access-date=6 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428081502/https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/e/establishment-of-the-navy.html|archive-date=28 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/birthday2.htm|title=Precedence of the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps|date=4 October 2009|publisher=[[Naval History & Heritage Command]]|access-date=14 February 2010|archive-date=11 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311062402/http://www.history.navy.mil/birthday2.htm}}</ref>
----
| battles                       = {{collapsible list
 |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
 |title = ''See list''
|[[American Revolutionary War]]<br />[[Quasi-War]]<br />[[First Barbary War]]<br />[[War of 1812]]<br />[[Second Barbary War]]<br />[[West Indies Anti-Piracy Operations of the United States|West Indies Anti-Piracy Operations]]<br />[[Seminole Wars]]<br />[[African Anti-Slavery Operations of the United States|African Anti-Slavery Operations]]<br />[[Aegean Sea Anti-Piracy Operations of the United States|Aegean Sea Anti-Piracy Operations]]<br />[[First Sumatran expedition]]<br />[[United States Exploring Expedition|United States exploration expedition]]<br />[[Patriot War]]<br />[[Second Sumatran expedition]]<br />[[Ivory Coast Expedition]]<br />[[Capture of Monterey]]<br />[[Mexican–American War]]<br />[[Bombardment of San Juan del Norte|Bombardment of Greytown]]<br />[[Battle of Ty-ho Bay]]<br />[[First Fiji Expedition]]<br />[[Filibuster War]]<br />[[Second Opium War]]<br />[[Second Fiji Expedition]]<br />[[Reform War]]<br />[[Paraguay expedition]]<br />[[American Civil War]]<br />[[Bombardment of Qui Nhon]]<br />[[Shimonoseki Campaign]]<br />[[Formosa Expedition]]<br />[[United States expedition to Korea]]<br />[[Egyptian Expedition (1882)]]<br />[[Bering Sea Anti-Poaching Operations]]<br />[[Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii|Kingdom of Hawaii overthrowal]]<br />[[Second Samoan Civil War]]<br />[[Banana Wars]]
* [[Spanish–American War]]
* [[Negro Rebellion]]
* [[United States occupation of Nicaragua|Occupation of Nicaragua]]
* [[United States occupation of Haiti|Occupation of Haiti]]
* [[United States occupation of the Dominican Republic (1916–24)|Occupation of the Dominican Republic (1916)]]
[[Philippine–American War]]<br />[[Boxer Rebellion]]<br />[[World War I]]<br />[[Bombardment of Samsun]]<br />[[World War II]]<br />[[Korean War]]<br />[[First Taiwan Strait Crisis]]<br />[[1958 Lebanon crisis]]<br />[[Second Taiwan Strait Crisis|1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis]]<br />[[Vietnam War]]<br />[[United States occupation of the Dominican Republic (1965–66)|Occupation of the Dominican Republic (1965)]]<br />[[Operation Eagle Claw|Iranian Hostage Rescue]]<br />[[Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)]]<br />[[Multinational Force in Lebanon]]<br />[[Invasion of Grenada]]<br />[[Action in the Gulf of Sidra (1986)]]<br />[[Bombing of Libya (1986)]]<br />[[Tanker War]]
* [[Operation Earnest Will|Earnest Will]]
* [[Operation Prime Chance|Prime Chance]]
* [[Operation Eager Glacier|Eager Glacier]]
* [[Operation Nimble Archer|Nimble Archer]]
* [[Operation Praying Mantis|Praying Mantis]]
[[1989 air battle near Tobruk]]<br />[[United States Invasion of Panama|Invasion of Panama]]<br />[[Gulf War]]<br />[[Iraqi no-fly zones]]<br />[[Somali Civil War]]<br />[[Operation Deliberate Force|Bosnian War]]<br />[[Third Taiwan Strait Crisis]]<br />[[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia|Kosovo War]]<br />[[International Force for East Timor]]<br />[[Operation Enduring Freedom]]
* [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Afghanistan (2001–2014)]]
* [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines|Philippines]]
* [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa|Horn of Africa]]
* [[Georgia Train and Equip Program|Pankisi Gorge]]
* [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Trans Sahara|Trans Sahara]]
* [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Caribbean and Central America|Caribbean and Central America]]
[[Iraq War]]<br />[[Operation Burnt Frost]]<br />[[Operation Ocean Shield]]<br />[[Operation Odyssey Dawn]]<br />[[War against the Islamic State|2014 Intervention against ISIL]]<br />[[Operation Inherent Resolve]]<br />[[War in Afghanistan (2015–2021)]]<br />[[2017 Shayrat missile strike]]<br />[[Operation Prosperity Guardian]]<br />[[2024 missile strikes in Yemen]]
}}
| anniversaries                 = 13 October
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = <!-- Commanders -->
| website                       = {{ubl|{{URL|www.navy.mil|navy.mil}}|{{URL|www.navy.com|navy.com}}}}
| commander1                    = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the President of the United States of America.svg|size=25px}} [[President of the United States|President]] [[Joe Biden]]
| commander1_label              = [[Powers of the president of the United States#Commander-in-chief|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2                    = {{Flagicon image|USSecDefflag.svg|size=25px}} [[Lloyd Austin]]
| commander2_label              = [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]]
| commander3                    = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the United States Secretary of the Navy.svg|size=25px}} [[Carlos Del Toro]]
| commander3_label              = [[United States Secretary of the Navy|Secretary of the Navy]]
| commander4                    = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the United States Chief of Naval Operations.svg|size=25px}} [[Admiral (United States)|ADM]] [[Lisa Franchetti]]
| commander4_label              = [[Chief of Naval Operations]]
| commander5                    = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the United States Vice Chief of Naval Operations.svg|size=25px}} [[Admiral (United States)|ADM]] [[James W. Kilby]]
| commander5_label              = [[Vice Chief of Naval Operations]]
| commander6                    = [[File:MCPON.svg|25px]] [[Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy|MCPON]] [[James Honea]]
| commander6_label              = [[Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy]]
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Flag of the United States Navy (official).svg|border|100px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = [[Flag of the United States Navy|Flag]]
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Flag of the United States.svg|border|100px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Ensign of the United States|Ensign]]
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Naval jack of the United States.svg|border|100px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = [[Jack of the United States|Jack]]
| identification_symbol_4       = [[File:USNavyCommissionPennant.svg|200px]]
| identification_symbol_4_label = [[Commissioning pennant|Pennant]]
| identification_symbol_5_label = Anchor, ''Constitution'', and Eagle
| identification_symbol_6 = [[File:Logo of the United States Navy.svg|200px]]
| identification_symbol_6_label = Logo
}}
{{United States Armed Forces sidebar}}
{{United States Navy ship types}}

The '''United States Navy''' ('''USN''') is the [[naval warfare|maritime]] [[military branch|service branch]] of the [[United States Armed Forces]] and one of the eight [[uniformed services of the United States]]. It is the world's most powerful [[navy]] and the largest by tonnage, at 4.5 million tons in 2021<ref>{{cite web |last1=Axe |first1=David |title=Yes, The Chinese Navy Has More Ships Than The U.S. Navy. But It's Got Far Fewer Missiles. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/11/10/yes-the-chinese-navy-has-more-ships-than-the-us-navy-but-its-got-far-fewer-missiles/?sh=45775f7e61b6 |website=Forbes |date=10 November 2021 |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref> and in 2009 an estimated battle fleet tonnage that exceeded the next 13 navies combined.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-russian-navy-is-aiming-to-be-much-larger-than-the-us-navy-2014-9?IR=T |title=The Russian Navy Is Aiming To Be Much Larger Than The US Navy |date=24 September 2014 |work=Business Insider |access-date=12 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126035318/http://www.businessinsider.com/the-russian-navy-is-aiming-to-be-much-larger-than-the-us-navy-2014-9?IR=T |archive-date=26 November 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> It has the world's largest [[aircraft carrier]] fleet, with [[List of aircraft carriers in service|11 in service]], one undergoing trials, two new carriers under construction, and six other carriers planned as of 2024. With 336,978 personnel on [[active duty]] and 101,583 in the [[Ready Reserve]], the U.S. Navy is the third largest of the United States military service branches in terms of personnel. It has 299 deployable combat vessels and about 4,012 operational aircraft as of July 18, 2023.<ref>[[#classified|Classified Report to Congress]]</ref><ref>[[#aircraft|Navy aircraft inventory by type U.S. 2024]]</ref>

<!-- history in brief -->
The United States Navy traces its origins to the [[Continental Navy]], which was established during the [[American Revolutionary War]] and was effectively disbanded as a separate entity shortly thereafter. After suffering significant loss of goods and personnel at the hands of the [[Barbary pirates]] from [[Algiers]], the [[United States Congress]] passed the [[Naval Act of 1794]] for the construction of [[Original six frigates of the United States Navy|six heavy frigates]], the first ships of the Navy. The United States Navy played a major role in the [[American Civil War]] by [[Union blockade|blockading]] the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] and seizing control of its rivers. It played the central role in the [[World War II]] defeat of [[Empire of Japan|Imperial Japan]]. The United States Navy emerged from World War II as the most powerful navy in the world. The modern United States Navy maintains a sizable global presence, deploying in strength in such areas as the Western [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]], the [[Mediterranean]], and the Indian Ocean. It is a [[blue-water navy]] with the ability to [[power projection|project force]] onto the [[littoral zone|littoral regions]] of the world, engage in forward deployments during peacetime and rapidly respond to regional crises, making it a frequent actor in American foreign and military policy.<!-- any history details in between belongs in the History/Origins section below -->

<!-- today's navy -->
The United States Navy is part of the [[United States Department of the Navy|Department of the Navy]], alongside the [[United States Marine Corps]], which is its coequal sister service. The Department of the Navy is headed by the civilian [[United States Secretary of the Navy|secretary of the Navy]]. The Department of the Navy is itself a military department of the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]], which is headed by the [[United States Secretary of Defense|secretary of defense]]. The [[Chief of Naval Operations|chief of naval operations]] (CNO) is the most senior Navy officer serving in the Department of the Navy.<ref>[[#responsibilities|Navy Responsibilities, United States Navy]]</ref>

==Mission==
{{blockquote|To recruit, train, equip, and organize to deliver combat ready Naval forces to win conflicts and wars while maintaining security and deterrence through sustained forward presence.|Mission statement of the United States Navy.<ref name="MissionOfTheNavy">[[#amnavy|America's Navy]]</ref>}}

The U.S. Navy is a seaborne branch of the [[military of the United States]]. The Navy's three primary areas of responsibility:<ref>{{USC|10|5062}}</ref>
* 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.
* The development of aircraft, weapons, [[military tactics]], technique, organization, and equipment of [[naval combat]] and service elements.

U.S. Navy training manuals state that the mission of the U.S. Armed Forces is "to be prepared to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations in support of the national interest." The Navy's five enduring functions are: [[sea control]], [[power projection]], [[Deterrence theory|deterrence]], [[maritime security]], and [[sealift]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://cimsec.org/naval-warfare-2010-2020-a-comparative-analysis/45129|title = Naval Warfare 2010–2020: A Comparative Analysis|date = 6 August 2020|access-date = 13 October 2020|archive-date = 28 January 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210128182533/http://cimsec.org/naval-warfare-2010-2020-a-comparative-analysis/45129|url-status = live}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of the United States Navy}}

===Origins===
{{blockquote|It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.|[[George Washington]] 15 November 1781, to [[Marquis de Lafayette]]<ref name="FamousNavyQuotes">{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/famous-navy-quotes.html |title=Famous Navy Quotes: Who Said Them&nbsp;... and When |publisher=[[Naval History & Heritage Command]] |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613095121/http://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/famous-navy-quotes.html |archive-date=13 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>}}

{{blockquote|Would to Heaven we had a navy able to reform those enemies to mankind or crush them into non-existence.|George Washington 15 August 1786, to Marquis de Lafayette<ref name="George Washington to Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, August 15, 1786">{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/mgw2.013/?sp=159&st=text |title=George Washington to Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, August 15, 1786 |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=31 May 2019 |archive-date=26 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426025946/https://www.loc.gov/resource/mgw2.013/?sp=159&st=text |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

{{blockquote|Naval power . . . is the natural defense of the United States.|[[John Adams]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PZZWBgAAQBAJ&q=naval%2520power%2520adams%2520navy%2520miller&pg=PA9 |title=The U.S. Navy: A History, Third Edition |last=Miller |first=Nathan |date=1997 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=978-1-61251-892-3 |page=9 |access-date=29 October 2020 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131144459/https://books.google.com/books?id=PZZWBgAAQBAJ&q=naval%2520power%2520adams%2520navy%2520miller&pg=PA9 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

The Navy was rooted in the colonial seafaring tradition, which produced a large community of sailors, captains, and shipbuilders.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5yB7hMbYjjUC&pg=PG1|title=American Naval History, 1607–1865: Overcoming the Colonial Legacy|last=Dull|first=Jonathan R.|publisher=U. of Nebraska Press|year=2012|isbn=978-0-8032-4471-9|pages=1–16|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126040429/https://books.google.com/books?id=5yB7hMbYjjUC&pg=PG1|archive-date=26 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In the early stages of the [[American Revolutionary War]], [[Massachusetts]] had its own [[Massachusetts Naval Militia]]. The rationale for establishing a national navy was debated in the [[Second Continental Congress|Second]] [[Continental Congress]]. Supporters argued that a navy would protect shipping, defend the coast, and make it easier to seek support from foreign countries. Detractors countered that challenging the British [[Royal Navy]], then the world's preeminent naval power, was a foolish undertaking. Commander in Chief [[George Washington]] resolved the debate when he commissioned the ocean-going [[schooner]] [[USS Hannah|USS ''Hannah'']] to interdict British merchantmen and reported the captures to the Congress. On 13 October 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the purchase of two vessels to be armed for a cruise against British merchantmen; this resolution created the [[Continental Navy]] and is considered the first establishment of the U.S. Navy.<ref name="Continental"/> The Continental Navy achieved mixed results; it was successful in a number of engagements and raided many British merchant vessels, but it lost twenty-four of its vessels<ref name="love">{{cite book |last=Love | first=Robert W. Jr. |title=History of the US Navy |volume=One: 1775–1941 |location=Harrisburg |publisher=Stackpole Books |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-8117-1862-2}}</ref> and at one point was reduced to two in active service.<ref name="Howarth">{{cite book |last=Howarth |first=Steven |title=To Shining Sea: A history of the United States Navy 1776–1991 |location=New York |publisher=Random House |year=1991 |isbn=0-394-57662-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/toshiningseahist00howa}}</ref> In August 1785, after the Revolutionary War had drawn to a close, [[Congress of the Confederation|Congress]] had sold {{USS|Alliance|1778|2}}, the last ship remaining in the Continental Navy due to a lack of funds to maintain the ship or support a navy.<ref name="Alliance">{{cite DANFS |title=Alliance |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a7/alliance-i.htm |access-date=31 August 2009}}</ref><ref name="AbbotVIPICXV">Abbot 1896, Volume I Part I Chapter XV</ref>

In 1972, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral [[Elmo Zumwalt]], authorized the Navy to celebrate its birthday on 13 October to honor the establishment of the Continental Navy in 1775.<ref name="New Navy Birthday">{{cite web |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/commemorations-toolkits/navy-birthday/OriginsNavy.html |title=Origins of the Navy |publisher=Naval History & Heritage Command |work=[[Naval History & Heritage Command]] |access-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430221936/https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/commemorations-toolkits/navy-birthday/OriginsNavy.html |archive-date=30 April 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Continental">{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq59-13.htm |title=Establishment of the Navy, 13&nbsp;October 1775 |publisher=US Navy |work=[[Naval History & Heritage Command]] |access-date=5 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990204022651/http://history.navy.mil/faqs/faq59-13.htm |archive-date=4 February 1999}}</ref>

===From re-establishment to the Civil War===
{{see also|Union Navy}}

The United States was without a navy for nearly a decade, a state of affairs that exposed U.S. maritime merchant ships to a series of attacks by the [[Barbary pirates]]. The sole armed maritime presence between 1790 and the launching of the U.S. Navy's first warships in 1797 was the [[U.S. Revenue Cutter Service|U.S. Revenue-Marine]], the primary predecessor of the [[U.S. Coast Guard]]. Although the United States Revenue Cutter Service conducted operations against the pirates, the pirates' depredations far outstripped its abilities and Congress passed the [[Naval Act of 1794]] that established a permanent standing navy on 27 March 1794.<ref name="US">{{cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/new-us-navy/act-draft.html |title=Launching the New U.S. Navy, 27 March 1794 |publisher=National Archives and Records Administration Center for Legislative Archives Records of the U.S. Senate Record Group 46 |access-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107211812/http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/new-us-navy/act-draft.html |archive-date=7 January 2011 |url-status=live |date=15 August 2016}}</ref> The Naval Act ordered the construction and manning of [[Original six frigates of the United States Navy|six frigates]] and, by October 1797,<ref name="love"/> the first three were brought into service: {{USS|United States|1797|6}}, {{USS|Constellation|1797|6}}, and {{USS|Constitution}}. Due to his strong posture on having a strong standing Navy during this period, [[John Adams]] is "often called the father of the American Navy".<ref>{{cite book | last=Wood | first=Gordon S. | title=Friends Divided: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson | publisher=Penguin Press | year=2017 | isbn=978-0-7352-2471-1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/j/john-adams-frigate-i.html|title=John Adams I (Frigate) 1799–1867|publisher=USA.gov|access-date=22 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909083339/http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/j/john-adams-frigate-i.html|archive-date=9 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1798–99 the Navy was involved in an undeclared [[Quasi-War]] with France.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/quasi-war/|title=Quasi-War|author=Randal Rust|publisher=R.Squared Communications|access-date=5 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415193423/http://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/quasi-war/|archive-date=15 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1801 to 1805, in the [[First Barbary War]], the U.S. Navy defended U.S. ships from the Barbary pirates, blockaded the Barbary ports and executed attacks against the Barbary' fleets.

The U.S. Navy saw substantial action in the [[War of 1812]], where it was victorious in eleven single-ship duels with the Royal Navy. It proved victorious in the [[Battle of Lake Erie]] and prevented the region from becoming a threat to American operations in the area. The result was a major victory for the U.S. Army at the [[War of 1812#Niagara frontier, 1813|Niagara Frontier]] of the war, and the defeat of the Native American allies of the British at the [[Battle of the Thames]]. Despite this, the U.S. Navy could not prevent the British from blockading its ports and landing troops.<ref name="multiple1">{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/h/history-of-the-us-navy/continental-period.html |title=The Navy: The Continental Period, 1775–1890 |last=Palmer |first=Michael A. |publisher=[[Naval History and Heritage Command]] |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630012657/http://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/h/history-of-the-us-navy/continental-period.html |archive-date=30 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> But after the War of 1812 ended in 1815, the U.S. Navy primarily focused its attention on protecting American shipping assets, sending squadrons to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, where it participated in the [[Second Barbary War]] that ended piracy in the region, South America, Africa, and the Pacific.<ref name="love" /> From 1819 to the outbreak of the Civil War, the [[Africa Squadron]] operated to suppress the [[History of slavery|slave trade]], seizing 36 slave ships, although its contribution was smaller than that of the much larger British Royal Navy. After 1840 several [[United States Secretary of the Navy|secretaries of the navy]] were southerners who advocated for strengthening southern naval defenses, expanding the fleet, and making naval technological improvements.<ref>Karp, Matthew J. "Slavery and American Sea Power: The Navalist Impulse in the Antebellum South." ''The Journal of Southern History'', vol. 77, no. 2, 2011, p. 317. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/41306197 JSTOR website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112131858/https://www.jstor.org/stable/41306197 |date=12 January 2023 }} Retrieved 12 Jan. 2023.</ref>

[[File:USS Constitution vs Guerriere.jpg|thumb|[[USS Constitution vs HMS Guerriere|USS ''Constitution'' vs HMS ''Guerriere'']] during the [[War of 1812]]]]
During the [[Mexican–American War]] the U.S. Navy blockaded Mexican ports, capturing or burning the Mexican fleet in the [[Gulf of California]] and capturing all major cities in [[Baja California]] peninsula. In 1846–1848 the Navy successfully used the [[Pacific Squadron]] under Commodore [[Robert Stockton|Robert F. Stockton]] and its marines and blue-jackets to facilitate the capture of California with large-scale land operations coordinated with the local militia organized in the [[California Battalion]]. The Navy conducted the U.S. military's first large-scale amphibious joint operation by successfully landing 12,000 army troops with their equipment in one day at [[Veracruz (city)|Veracruz]], Mexico. When larger guns were needed to bombard Veracruz, Navy volunteers landed large guns and manned them in the successful bombardment and capture of the city. This successful landing and capture of Veracruz opened the way for the capture of Mexico City and the end of the war.<ref name="multiple1" /> The U.S. Navy established itself as a player in [[United States foreign policy]] through the actions of [[Commodore (USN)|Commodore]] [[Matthew Perry (naval officer)|Matthew C. Perry]] in Japan, which resulted in the [[Convention of Kanagawa]] in 1854.

Naval power played a significant role during the [[American Civil War]], in which the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] had a distinct advantage over the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] on the seas.<ref name="multiple1" /> A [[Union blockade]] on all major ports shut down exports and the coastal trade, but blockade runners provided a thin lifeline. The [[Brown-water navy]] components of the U.S. navy control of the river systems made internal travel difficult for Confederates and easy for the Union. The war saw [[ironclad warship]]s in combat for the first time at the [[Battle of Hampton Roads]] in 1862, which pitted {{USS|Monitor}} against {{ship|CSS|Virginia}}.<ref>{{cite book |last=McPherson |first=James M. |title=War on the Waters: The Union and Confederate Navies, 1861–1865 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=80LQH0Aoe3QC&pg=PA3 |year=2012 |publisher=University of North Carolina Press |isbn=978-0-8078-3588-3 |pages=3–4 |access-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126040429/https://books.google.com/books?id=80LQH0Aoe3QC&pg=PA3 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> For two decades after the war, however, the U.S. Navy's fleet was neglected and became [[technologically obsolete]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PZZWBgAAQBAJ&q=us+navy+history|title=The U.S. Navy: A History, Third Edition|last=Miller|first=Nathan|date=5 November 2014|publisher=Naval Institute Press|isbn=978-1-61251-892-3|language=en}}</ref>

===20th century===
[[File:Us-atlantic-fleet-1907.jpg|thumb|The [[Great White Fleet]] demonstrating U.S. naval power in 1907; it was proof that the U.S. Navy had [[blue-water navy|blue-water capability]].]]

A modernization program beginning in the 1880s when the first steel-hulled warships stimulated the American steel industry, and "the new steel navy" was born.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hacker |first1=Barton C. |last2=Vining |first2=Margaret |title=American Military Technology |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a3KLJN5kigQC&pg=PA53 |year=2007 |page=53 |publisher=The Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=978-0-8018-8772-7 |access-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126040429/https://books.google.com/books?id=a3KLJN5kigQC&pg=PA53 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> This rapid expansion of the U.S. Navy and its decisive victory over the outdated [[Spanish Navy]] in 1898 brought a new respect for American technical quality. Rapid building of at first pre-dreadnoughts, then [[dreadnoughts]] brought the U.S. in line with the navies of countries such as Britain and Germany. In 1907, most of the Navy's battleships, with several support vessels, dubbed the [[Great White Fleet]], were showcased in a 14-month circumnavigation of the world. Ordered by President [[Theodore Roosevelt]], it was a mission designed to demonstrate the Navy's capability to extend to the global theater.<ref name="love"/> By 1911, the U.S. had begun building the super-dreadnoughts at a pace to eventually become competitive with Britain.<ref>{{cite book |last=O'Brien |first=Phillips P. |title=British and American Naval Power: Politics and Policy, 1900–1936 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gf1_mPYBwS8C&pg=PP1 |pages=7, 154–156 |year=1998 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-275-95898-5 |access-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126040429/https://books.google.com/books?id=gf1_mPYBwS8C&pg=PP1 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 1911 also saw the first naval aircraft with the navy<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airplanesofthepast.com/us-naval-marine-aviation.htm|title=US Naval & Marine Aircraft|first=Airplanes of the|last=Past|website=www.airplanesofthepast.com|access-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210160849/http://www.airplanesofthepast.com/us-naval-marine-aviation.htm|archive-date=10 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> which would lead to the informal establishment of '''United States Naval Flying Corps''' to protect shore bases. It was not until 1921 [[Bureau of Aeronautics|US naval aviation]] truly commenced.

====World War I and interwar years====
During [[World War I]], the U.S. Navy spent much of its resources protecting and shipping hundreds of thousands of soldiers and marines of the [[American Expeditionary Force]] and war supplies across the Atlantic in [[U-boat]] infested waters with the [[Cruiser and Transport Force]]. It also concentrated on laying the [[North Sea Mine Barrage]]. Hesitation by the senior command meant that naval forces were not contributed until late 1917. [[United States Battleship Division Nine (World War I)|Battleship Division Nine]] was dispatched to Britain and served as the Sixth Battle Squadron of the British Grand Fleet. Its presence allowed the British to decommission some older ships and reuse the crews on smaller vessels. Destroyers and U.S. Naval Air Force units like the [[Northern Bombing Group]] contributed to the anti-submarine operations. The strength of the United States Navy grew under an ambitious ship building program associated with the [[Naval Act of 1916]].

Naval construction, especially of battleships, was limited by the [[Washington Naval Conference]] of 1921–22, the first arms control conference in history. The aircraft carriers {{USS|Saratoga|CV-3}} and {{USS|Lexington|CV-2}} were built on the hulls of partially built battle cruisers that had been canceled by the treaty. The [[New Deal]] used [[Public Works Administration]] funds to build warships, such as {{USS|Yorktown|CV-5}} and {{USS|Enterprise|CV-6}}. By 1936, with the completion of {{USS|Wasp|CV-7}}, the U.S. Navy possessed a carrier fleet of 165,000 tonnes [[displacement (ship)|displacement]], although this figure was nominally recorded as 135,000 tonnes to comply with treaty limitations. [[Franklin Roosevelt]], the number two official in the Navy Department during World War I, appreciated the Navy and gave it strong support. In return, senior leaders were eager for innovation and experimented with new technologies, such as magnetic torpedoes, and developed a strategy called [[War Plan Orange]] for victory in the Pacific in a hypothetical war with Japan that would eventually become reality.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Holwitt |first=Joel I. |title=Reappraising the Interwar US Navy |journal=[[Journal of Military History]] |type=Book review |date=January 2012 |volume=76 |issue=1 |pages=193–210}}</ref>

====World War II====
{{main|United States Navy in World War II|Naval history of World War II}}
[[File:New Mexico class battleship bombarding Okinawa.jpg|thumb|Battleship {{USS|Idaho|BB-42|6}} [[Battle of Okinawa|shelling Okinawa]] on 1 April 1945]]

The U.S. Navy grew into a formidable force in the years prior to [[World War II]], with battleship production being restarted in 1937, commencing with {{USS|North Carolina|BB-55}}. Though ultimately unsuccessful, Japan tried to neutralize this strategic threat with the surprise [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] on 7 December 1941. Following [[American entry into World War II|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 War|Pacific Theater]], where it was instrumental to the Allies' successful "[[Leapfrogging (strategy)|island hopping]]" campaign.<ref name="Howarth"/> The U.S. Navy participated in many significant battles, including the [[Battle of the Coral Sea]], the [[Battle of Midway]], the [[Solomon Islands Campaign]], the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]], the [[Battle of Leyte Gulf]], and the [[Battle of Okinawa]]. By 1943, the navy's size was larger than the combined fleets of all the other combatant nations in World War II.<ref name="Tread">{{cite book |last=Crocker III |first=H. W. |title=Don't Tread on Me |publisher=Crown Forum |year=2006 |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/donttreadonme40000croc/page/302 302] |isbn=978-1-4000-5363-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/donttreadonme40000croc/page/302}}</ref> By war's end in 1945, the U.S. Navy had added hundreds of new ships, including 18 aircraft carriers and 8 battleships, and had over 70% of the world's total numbers and total tonnage of naval vessels of 1,000 tons or greater.<ref name="Defense Analysis; Dec 2001, Vol. 17 Issue 3, p. 259–265">{{cite journal |title=Weighing the US Navy |first1=David T. |last1=Burbach |first2=Marc |last2=Devore |first3=Harvey M. |last3=Sapolsky |first4=Stephen |last4=Van Evera |journal=Defense Analysis |volume=17 |issue=3 |date=1 December 2001 |pages=259–265 |doi=10.1080/07430170120093382 |s2cid=153947005 |issn=0743-0175 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=King |first=Ernest J. |author-link=Ernest J. King |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USNatWar/USN-King-B.html |title=US Navy at War 1941–1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy |date=3 December 1945 |access-date=8 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060711124522/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USNatWar/USN-King-B.html |archive-date=11 July 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> At its peak, the U.S. Navy was operating 6,768 ships on [[V-J Day]] in August 1945.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/us-ship-force-levels.html |title=U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1886–present |publisher=U.S. Navy |website=[[Naval History & Heritage Command]] |date=20 June 2015 |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613070332/http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/us-ship-force-levels.html |archive-date=13 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:US Navy Issue, 3c, 1945.jpg|thumb|On [[Navy Day#United States|Navy Day]], October 27, 1945, the U.S. Post Office issued a commemorative stamp in honor of the Navy and the end of WW2.]]
Doctrine had significantly shifted by the end of the war. The U.S. Navy had followed in the footsteps of the navies of Great Britain and Germany which favored concentrated groups of battleships as their main offensive naval weapons.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Evolution of Fleet Tactical Doctrine in the U.S. Navy, 1922–1941 |first=Trent |author1-link=Trent Hone|last=Hone |journal=The Journal of Military History |volume=67 |issue=4 |date=October 2003 |pages=1107–1148 |publisher=Society for Military History |jstor=3396884 |doi=10.1353/jmh.2003.0300|s2cid=159659057}}</ref> The development of the aircraft carrier and its devastating use by the Japanese against the U.S. at Pearl Harbor, however, shifted U.S. thinking. The Pearl Harbor attack destroyed or took out of action a significant number of U.S. Navy battleships. This placed much of the burden of retaliating against the Japanese on the small number of aircraft carriers.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Tactical Use of Air Power in World War II: The Navy Experience |first=Henry M. |last=Dater |journal=Military Affairs |volume=14 |issue=4 |year=1950 |pages=192–200 |publisher=Society for Military History |jstor=1982840 |doi=10.2307/1982840}}</ref> During World War II some 4,000,000 Americans served in the United States Navy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/expanding-the-size-of-the-u-s-military-in-world-war-ii/|title=Expanding the Size of the U.S. Military in World War II|website=warfarehistorynetwork.com|access-date=13 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812194913/http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/expanding-the-size-of-the-u-s-military-in-world-war-ii/|archive-date=12 August 2018|url-status=live|date=26 June 2017}}</ref>

====Cold War and 1990s====
{{See also|1989 United States Navy order of battle}}
[[File:USS George Washington (SSBN-598).jpg|thumb|{{USS|George Washington|SSBN-598|6}}, a ballistic missile submarine]]

The potential for armed conflict with the [[Soviet Union]] during the [[Cold War]] pushed the U.S. Navy to continue its technological advancement by developing new weapons systems, ships, and aircraft. U.S. naval strategy changed to that of forward deployment in support of U.S. allies with an emphasis on carrier battle groups.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/h/history-of-the-us-navy/transoceanic-period.html |title=The Navy: The Transoceanic Period, 1945–1992 |last=Palmer |first=Michael A. |publisher=U.S. Navy |website=[[Naval History & Heritage Command]] |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630002739/http://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/h/history-of-the-us-navy/transoceanic-period.html |archive-date=30 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The navy was a major participant in the [[Korean War|Korean]] and [[Vietnam War]]s, blockaded Cuba during the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], and, through the use of [[ballistic missile submarines]], became an important aspect of the United States' [[Mutual assured destruction|nuclear strategic deterrence]] policy. The U.S. Navy conducted various combat operations in the Persian Gulf against Iran in 1987 and 1988, most notably [[Operation Praying Mantis]]. The Navy was extensively involved in [[Operation Urgent Fury]], [[Operation Desert Shield (Gulf War)|Operation Desert Shield]], [[Operation Desert Storm]], [[Operation Deliberate Force]], [[Operation Allied Force]], [[Operation Desert Fox]] and [[Operation Southern Watch]].

The U.S. Navy has also been involved in search and rescue/search and salvage operations, sometimes in conjunction with vessels of other countries as well as with U.S. Coast Guard ships. Two examples are the [[1966 Palomares B-52 crash]] incident and the subsequent search for missing hydrogen bombs, and Task Force 71 of the Seventh Fleet's operation in search for [[Korean Air Lines Flight 007]], shot down by the Soviets on 1 September 1983.

===21st century===
[[File:US Navy 100913-N-4973M-012 Lt. j.g. Craig Mueller, from St. Louis, Mo., and Lt. j.g. Zach Decker, from Boulder, Co., monitor the defense systems ab.jpg|thumb|U.S. Navy officers aboard the aircraft carrier {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}} monitor defense systems during early 2010s [[maritime security operations]] exercises.]]

The U.S. Navy continues to be a major support to U.S. interests in the 21st century. Since the end of the Cold War, it has shifted its focus from preparations for large-scale war with the Soviet Union to special operations and strike missions in regional conflicts.<ref name="forward">{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/policy/fromsea/ffseanoc.html |title=Forward&nbsp;... From the Sea |website=[[United States Department of the Navy|Department of the Navy]] |date=March 1997 |access-date=25 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121232752/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/policy/fromsea/ffseanoc.html |archive-date=21 November 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> The navy participated in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Operation Enduring Freedom]], [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]], and is a major participant in the ongoing [[War on Terror]], largely in this capacity. Development continues on new ships and weapons, including the {{sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|2}} and the [[Littoral combat ship]]. Because of its size, weapons technology, and ability to project force far from U.S. shores, the current U.S. Navy remains an asset for the United States. Moreover, it is the principal means through which the U.S. maintains international global order, namely by safeguarding global trade and protecting allied nations.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Farley|first1=Robert|title=A US Navy With 350 Ships... But What For?|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/11/a-us-navy-with-350-ships-but-what-for/|website=thediplomat.com|publisher=The Diplomat|access-date=22 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122153526/https://thediplomat.com/2016/11/a-us-navy-with-350-ships-but-what-for/|archive-date=22 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, the U.S. Navy joined with the [[U.S. Marine Corps]] and U.S. Coast Guard to adopt a new maritime strategy called [[A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower]] that raises the notion of prevention of war to the same philosophical level as the conduct of war. The strategy was presented by the [[Chief of Naval Operations]], the [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]], and [[Commandant of the Coast Guard]] at the International Sea Power Symposium in [[Newport, Rhode Island]] on 17 October 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32655 |title=Sea Services Unveil New Maritime Strategy |work=Navy News Service |date=17 October 2007 |first=Jim |last=Garamone |id=NNS071017-13 |agency=[[American Forces Press Service]] |access-date=27 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305040311/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32655 |archive-date=5 March 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The strategy recognized the economic links of the global system and how any disruption due to regional crises (man-made or natural) can adversely impact the U.S. economy and quality of life. This new strategy charts a course for the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps to work collectively with each other and international partners to prevent these crises from occurring or reacting quickly should one occur to prevent negative impacts on the U.S.

In 2010, Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, noted that demands on the Navy have grown as the fleet has shrunk and that in the face of declining budgets in the future, the U.S. Navy must rely even more on international partnerships.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/06/navy_cno_at_mast_062210w/ |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120908023524/http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/06/navy_cno_at_mast_062210w/ |archive-date=8 September 2012 |title=CNO: Global challenges need global responses |work=[[Navy Times]] |date=22 June 2010 |first=Lance M. |last=Bacon}}</ref>

In its 2013 budget request, the navy focused on retaining all eleven big deck carriers, at the expense of cutting numbers of smaller ships and delaying the SSBN replacement.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://aviationweek.com/awin/pentagon-saves-carrier-other-programs-expense |title=Pentagon Saves Carrier At Other Programs' Expense |date=27 January 2012|last =Fabey|first = Michael|work = Aviation Week}}</ref> By the next year the USN found itself unable to maintain eleven aircraft carriers in the face of the expiration of budget relief offered by the [[Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013]] and CNO [[Jonathan Greenert]] said that a ten ship carrier fleet would not be able to sustainably support military requirements.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stripes.com/navy-s-top-admiral-reducing-carrier-fleet-would-burn-out-sailors-ships-1.284362 |title=Navy's top admiral: Reducing carrier fleet would burn out sailors, ships |last1=Harper |first1=Jon |date=22 May 2014 |website=www.stripes.com |publisher=Stars and Stripes |access-date=22 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522160237/http://www.stripes.com/navy-s-top-admiral-reducing-carrier-fleet-would-burn-out-sailors-ships-1.284362 |archive-date=22 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The British [[First Sea Lord]] [[George Zambellas]] said that<ref name="thediplomat1">{{cite web|last1=Stashwick|first1=Steven|title=Road to 350: What Does the US Navy Do Anyway?|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/11/road-to-350-what-does-the-us-navy-do-anyway/|website=thediplomat.com|publisher=The Diplomat|access-date=22 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122153836/https://thediplomat.com/2016/11/road-to-350-what-does-the-us-navy-do-anyway/|archive-date=22 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> the USN had switched from "outcome-led to resource-led" planning.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/opinion-scotland-missile-defense-and-subs |title=Scotland, Missile Defense And Subs |last1=Sweetman |first1=Bill |date=11 August 2014 |website=aviationweek.com |publisher=Penton |access-date=11 August 2014 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20170525032347/http://aviationweek.com/defense/opinion-britains-view-naval-strategy |archive-date=25 May 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

One significant change in U.S. policymaking that is having a major effect on naval planning is the [[East Asian foreign policy of the Barack Obama administration|Pivot to East Asia]]. In response, the [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[Ray Mabus]] stated in 2015 that 60 percent of the total U.S. fleet will be deployed to the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] by 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/03/us-navy-secretary-we-will-have-over-300-ships-by-2020/|title=US Navy Secretary: We will Have Over 300 Ships by 2020|author=Franz-Stefan Gady, The Diplomat|work=The Diplomat|access-date=12 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023185658/https://thediplomat.com/2015/03/us-navy-secretary-we-will-have-over-300-ships-by-2020/|archive-date=23 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The Navy's most recent 30-year shipbuilding plan, published in 2016, calls for a future fleet of 350 ships to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive international environment.<ref name="thediplomat1"/> A provision of the 2018 [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018|National Defense Authorization Act]] called for expanding the naval fleet to 355 ships "as soon as practicable", but did not establish additional funding nor a timeline.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Larter |first1=David B. |title=Trump just made a 355-ship Navy national policy |url=https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2017/12/14/trump-just-made-355-ships-national-policy/ |website=www.defensenews.com |publisher=Defense News |access-date=2 November 2018|date=14 December 2017}}</ref>

==Organization==
{{main|Structure of the United States Navy}}
[[File:Organization of U.S. Space Force.svg|thumb|Organization of the United States Navy within the Department of Defense]]

The U.S. Navy falls under the administration of the [[United States Department of the Navy|Department of the Navy]], under civilian leadership of the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV). The most senior naval officer is the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), a four-star admiral who is immediately under and reports to the Secretary of the Navy. At the same time, the Chief of Naval Operations is a member of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]], which is the second-highest deliberative body of the armed forces after the [[United States National Security Council]], although it plays only an advisory role to the President and does not nominally form part of the [[command hierarchy|chain of command]]. The Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations are responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Navy so that it is ready for operation under the commanders of the [[unified combatant command]]s.

===Operating forces===
{{main|List of units of the United States Navy}}
{{further|Structure of the United States Navy#Numbered fleets}}
[[File:USN Fleets (2009).png|alt=Areas of responsibility for each of the United States Navy Fleets.|thumb|Areas of responsibility for each of the United States Navy fleets. [[United States Tenth Fleet|Tenth Fleet]] serves as the numbered fleet for [[U.S. Fleet Cyber Command]] and therefore is not shown.]]

There are nine components in the operating forces of the U.S. Navy: the [[United States Fleet Forces Command]] (formerly United States Atlantic Fleet), [[United States Pacific Fleet]], [[United States Naval Forces Central Command]], [[United States Naval Forces Europe]], [[Naval Network Warfare Command]], [[United States Navy Reserve|Navy Reserve]], [[United States Naval Special Warfare Command]], and [[Operational Test and Evaluation Force]]. Fleet Forces Command controls a number of unique capabilities, including [[Military Sealift Command]], [[Naval Expeditionary Combat Command]], and [[U.S. Naval Information Forces|Naval Information Forces]].

The United States Navy has seven active numbered fleets&nbsp;– [[United States Second Fleet|Second]], [[United States Third Fleet|Third]], [[United States Fifth Fleet|Fifth]], [[United States Sixth Fleet|Sixth]], [[United States Seventh Fleet|Seventh]] and [[United States Tenth Fleet|Tenth Fleets]] are each led by a [[Vice admiral (United States)|vice admiral]], and the [[United States Fourth Fleet|Fourth Fleet]] is led by a [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral]]. These seven fleets are further grouped under Fleet Forces Command (the former Atlantic Fleet), Pacific Fleet, Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and Naval Forces Central Command, whose commander also doubles as Commander Fifth Fleet; the first three commands being led by four-star admirals. The [[United States First Fleet]] existed after World War II from 1947, but it was redesignated the Third Fleet in early 1973. The Second Fleet was deactivated in September 2011 but reestablished in August 2018 amid heightened tensions with Russia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/04/politics/us-navy-second-fleet-russia-tensions/index.html|title=US Navy re-establishes Second Fleet amid Russia tensions|first=Ryan |last=Browne|work=CNN|access-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030231709/https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/04/politics/us-navy-second-fleet-russia-tensions/index.html|archive-date=30 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> It is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, with responsibility over the East Coast and North Atlantic.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=106837|title=Navy Establishes U.S. 2nd Fleet, Vice Adm. Lewis Assumes Command|last=Affairs|first=This story was written by U.S. Fleet Forces Public|access-date=16 November 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005112023/https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=106837|archive-date=5 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In early 2008, the Navy reactivated the Fourth Fleet to control operations in the area controlled by Southern Command, which consists of US assets in and around Central and South America.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=36606 |title=Navy Reestablishes U.S. Fourth Fleet |work=Navy News Service |date=24 April 2008 |last=Gragg |first=Alan |id=NNS080424-13 |access-date=30 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502014504/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=36606 |archive-date=2 May 2008 }}</ref> Other number fleets were activated during World War II and later deactivated, renumbered, or merged.

===Shore establishments===
[[File:USS Kitty Hawk at Yokosuka.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|6}} docking at the U.S. Navy base in [[Yokosuka]], Japan]]

Shore establishments exist to support the mission of the fleet through the use of facilities on land. Among the commands of the shore establishment, {{as of|2011|04|lc=y}}, are the [[Naval Education and Training Command]], the [[Commander, Navy Installations Command|Navy Installations Command]], the [[Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command]], the [[Naval Information Warfare Systems Command]], the [[Naval Facilities Engineering Command]], the [[Naval Supply Systems Command]], the [[Naval Air Systems Command]], the [[Naval Sea Systems Command]], the [[Bureau of Medicine and Surgery]], the [[Bureau of Naval Personnel]], the [[Office of Naval Research]], the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], the [[United States Naval Academy]], the [[Naval Safety Command]], the [[Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center]], and the [[United States Naval Observatory]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/organization/org-shor.asp |title=The shore establishment |publisher=United States Navy |website=Navy Organization |date=28 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423070709/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/organization/org-shor.asp |archive-date=23 April 2015}}</ref> Official Navy websites list the [[Office of the Chief of Naval Operations]] and the Chief of Naval Operations as part of the shore establishment, but these two entities effectively sit superior to the other organizations, playing a coordinating role.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xL0qAQAAMAAJ&q=us+military+guide|title=A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military: A Comprehensive Reference to the Customs, Language and Structure of the Armed Forces|last1=Schading|first1=Barbara|last2=Schading|first2=Richard|date=22 December 2006|publisher=F+W Media|isbn=978-1-58297-408-8|language=en|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=22 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422152702/https://books.google.com/books?id=xL0qAQAAMAAJ&q=us+military+guide|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Relationships with other service branches===
====United States Marine Corps====
{{main|United States Marine Corps}}
[[File:F-18A Hornet VMFA-451 USS Coral Sea 1989.jpeg|thumb|A [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] [[F/A-18]] from [[VMFA-451]] preparing to launch from {{USS|Coral Sea|CV-43|6}}]]

In 1834, the [[United States Marine Corps]] came under the Department of the Navy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/2dfssg/med/files/102.htm |title=Navy and Marine Corps History, Customs, and Courtesies – Fundamentals |website=[[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune]] |publisher=[[United States Marine Corps]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314062316/http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/2dfssg/med/files/102.htm |archive-date=14 March 2012}}</ref> Historically, the Navy has had a unique relationship with the USMC, partly because they both specialize in seaborne operations. Together the Navy and Marine Corps form the Department of the Navy and report to the Secretary of the Navy. However, the Marine Corps is a distinct, separate service branch<ref name=NSA1947sec606>{{cite web |url=http://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780195385168/resources/chapter10/nsa/nsa.pdf |title=National Security Act of 1947 (As amended 3 August 2007), (50 U.S.C. 426) |date=26 July 1947 |at=§606.(9) p. 69 |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213062458/http://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780195385168/resources/chapter10/nsa/nsa.pdf |archive-date=13 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> with its own uniformed service chief – the Commandant of the Marine Corps, a four-star general.

The Marine Corps depends on the Navy for medical support (dentists, [[Medical doctor|doctors]], nurses, medical technicians known as [[Hospital corpsman|corpsmen]]) and religious support (chaplains). Thus, Navy officers and enlisted sailors fulfill these roles. When attached to Marine Corps units deployed to an operational environment they generally wear Marine camouflage uniforms, but otherwise, they wear Navy [[dress uniform]]s unless they opt to conform to Marine Corps grooming standards.<ref name=":0" />

In the operational environment, as an expeditionary force specializing in amphibious operations, Marines often embark on Navy ships to conduct operations from beyond territorial waters. Marine units deploying as part of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) operate under the command of the existing Marine chain of command. Although Marine units routinely operate from amphibious assault ships, the relationship has evolved over the years much as the Commander of the Carrier Air Group/Wing (CAG) does not work for the carrier commanding officer, but coordinates with the ship's CO and staff. Some Marine aviation squadrons, usually fixed-wing assigned to carrier air wings train and operate alongside Navy squadrons; they fly similar missions and often fly sorties together under the cognizance of the CAG. Aviation is where the Navy and Marines share the most common ground since aircrews are guided in their use of aircraft by standard procedures outlined in a series of publications known as [[NATOPS]] manuals.

====United States Coast Guard====
{{main|United States Coast Guard}}
[[File:Flickr - Official U.S. Navy Imagery - U.S. Coast Guard helicopters land aboard USS Wasp..jpg|thumb|right|A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter preparing to land on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship {{USS|Wasp|LHD-1|6}}]]

The [[United States Coast Guard]], in its peacetime role with the [[Department of Homeland Security]], fulfills its law enforcement and rescue role in the maritime environment. It provides [[Law Enforcement Detachments]] (LEDETs) to Navy vessels, where they perform arrests and other law enforcement duties during naval boarding and interdiction missions. In times of war, the Coast Guard may be called upon to operate as a service within the Navy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/14/3- |website=[[Legal Information Institute]] |publisher=[[Cornell University Law School]] |title=14 USC 3. Relationship to Navy Department |access-date=28 July 2013}}</ref> At other times, Coast Guard [[Port Security Unit]]s are sent overseas to guard the security of ports and other assets. The Coast Guard also jointly staffs the Navy's naval coastal warfare groups and squadrons (the latter of which were known as harbor defense commands until late-2004), which oversee defense efforts in foreign littoral combat and inshore areas.

==Personnel==
{{main|Personnel of the United States Navy}}
[[File:US Navy SEALs at Zhawar Kili cave entrance.jpg|thumb|[[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEALs]] at one of the entrances to the [[Zhawar Kili]] cave complex]]

The United States Navy has over 400,000 personnel, approximately a quarter of whom are in ready reserve. Of those on active duty, more than eighty percent are [[Enlisted rank|enlisted]] sailors and around fifteen percent are [[commissioned officer]]s; the rest are [[midshipmen]] of the United States Naval Academy and midshipmen of the [[Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps]] at over 180 universities around the country and officer candidates at the Navy's [[Officer Candidate School (U.S. Navy)|Officer Candidate School]].<ref name="status">{{cite web |date=14 June 2018 |title=Current Navy Demographics Quarterly Report |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/nav_legacy.asp?id=146 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614172413/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/nav_legacy.asp?id=146 |archive-date=14 June 2018 |access-date=1 May 2022 |publisher=navy.mil}}</ref>

Enlisted sailors complete basic military training at [[Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois|boot camp]] and then are sent to complete training for their individual [[List of United States Navy ratings|careers]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,rec_step10_training,,00.html|title = Training After Boot Camp|work = 10 Steps to Joining the Military|publisher = Military.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160818221303/http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,rec_step10_training,,00.html|archive-date = 18 August 2016|access-date = 16 September 2017}}</ref>

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 Surface Warfare, Aviation Warfare, Information Dominance Warfare, Naval Aircrew, Special Warfare, Seabee Warfare, Submarine Warfare or Expeditionary Warfare. Many qualifications are denoted on a sailor's uniform with [[Badges of the United States Navy|U.S. Navy badges and insignia]].

===Uniforms===
{{See also|Uniforms of the United States Navy}}

The uniforms of the U.S. Navy have evolved gradually since the first uniform regulations for [[officer (military)|officers]] were issued in 1802 on the formation of the Navy Department. The predominant colors of U.S. Navy uniforms are navy blue and white. U.S. Navy uniforms were based on Royal Navy uniforms of the time and have tended to follow that template.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of US Navy Uniforms, 1776–1981|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/h/history-of-us-navy-uniforms-1776-1981.html |website=Naval History and Heritage Command|publisher=US Navy|access-date=22 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209193641/https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/uniforms-and-personal-equipment/history-of-us-navy-uniforms-1776-1981.html|archive-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Commissioned officers====
{{Main|United States Navy officer rank insignia}}
{{USN Officer}}
{{Notelist}}

Navy officers serve either as a [[line officer]] or as a [[List of United States Navy staff corps|staff corps officer]]. Line officers wear an embroidered gold star above their rank of the naval service dress uniform while staff corps officers and commissioned warrant officers wear unique [[List of United States Naval officer designators|designator]] insignias that denotes their occupational specialty.<ref>[http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter4/Pages/4102.aspx U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations, 4102 – Sleeve Designs for Line and Staff Corps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119091858/https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter4/Pages/4102.aspx |date=19 November 2018}}, updated 28 January 11, accessed 22 January 12</ref><ref>[http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/officer/communitymanagers/ldo_cwo/Documents/LDOCWODESIGNATORCODES.doc U.S. Navy Personnel Command, Officer, Community Managers, LDO/CWO OCM, References, LDO/CWO Designators] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927085427/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/officer/communitymanagers/ldo_cwo/Documents/LDOCWODESIGNATORCODES.doc |date=27 September 2013}}, rout page updated 4 October 11, accessed 22 January 12</ref>

{| style="text-align:center; border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:white; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 8px 8px 0px;"
|-
! Type !! [[Line officer]] !! [[Navy Medical Corps|Medical Corps]] !! [[Navy Dental Corps|Dental Corps]] !! [[Navy Nurse Corps|Nurse Corps]] !! [[Navy Medical Service Corps|Medical Service Corps]] !! [[Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy|Judge Advocate General's Corps]]
|-
| '''Insignia'''
| [[File:USN Line Officer.png|60px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:USN Med-corp.gif|40px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:USN Dental.gif|40px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:USN Nurse.gif|40px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:USN Msc.gif|40px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:JAGC Staff Corps Insignia.svg|70px|class=noviewer]]
|-
| '''[[List of Naval Officer Designators|Designator]]'''<sup>1</sup>||1XXX||210X||220X||290X||230X||250X
|-
! [[Navy Chaplain Corps|Chaplain Corps]]<br />''[[Christianity|(Christian Faith)]]'' !! [[Navy Chaplain Corps|Chaplain Corps]]<br />''[[Jewish|(Jewish Faith)]]'' !! [[Navy Chaplain Corps|Chaplain Corps]]<br />''[[Muslim|(Muslim Faith)]]'' !! [[Navy Chaplain Corps|Chaplain Corps]]<br />''[[Buddhist|(Buddhist Faith)]]'' !! [[Navy Supply Corps|Supply Corps]] !! [[Civil Engineer Corps]] !! [[Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy|Law Community]]<br />''[[Limited duty officer|(Limited Duty Officer)]]''
|-
| [[File:USN Chapchr.gif|50px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:USN Chap-jew.gif|40px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:USN Chap-mus.gif|50px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:USN - Chaplian Insignia - Buddhist 2.jpg|60px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:United States Navy Supply Corps insignia.gif|60px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:USN Ce-corp.gif|70px|class=noviewer]]
| [[File:USN Law Community.png|60px|class=noviewer]]
|-
|410X||410X||410X||410X||310X||510X||655X
|-
|colspan=7|
|}

==== Warrant officers ====
{{main|Warrant officer (United States)}}
{{USN Warrant Officer}}

Warrant and chief warrant officer ranks are held by technical specialists who direct specific activities essential to the proper operation of the ship, which also require commissioned officer authority.<ref name="WO-4">{{cite web|url=http://www.usawoa.org/woheritage//Hist_of_Army_WO.htm#Introduction|title=History of the Warrant Officer|publisher=United States Army Warrant Officer Association|access-date=18 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316213856/http://www.usawoa.org/woheritage/Hist_of_Army_WO.htm#Introduction|archive-date=16 March 2007}}</ref> Navy warrant officers serve in 30 specialties covering five categories. Warrant officers should not be confused with the [[limited duty officer]] (LDO) in the Navy. Warrant officers perform duties that are directly related to their previous enlisted service and specialized training. This allows the Navy to capitalize on the experience of warrant officers without having to frequently transition them to other duty assignments for advancement.<ref name="WO-5">{{cite web|url=http://www.usawoa.org/woheritage//WO_Prog_Other_Svc.htm|title=Warrant Officer Programs of Other Services|publisher=United States Army Warrant Officer Association|access-date=18 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230211659/http://www.usawoa.org/woheritage/WO_Prog_Other_Svc.htm|archive-date=30 December 2006}}</ref> Most Navy warrant officers are accessed from the [[Chief petty officer (United States)|chief petty officer]] pay grades, E-7 through E-9, analogous to a senior non-commissioned officer in the other services, and must have a minimum 14 years in service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2016/NAV16144.txt|title=Active duty limited duty officer and chief warrant officer in service procurement boards |work=[[US Navy]]|publisher=[[United States Government]]|location=Washington, D.C.|access-date=8 March 2017|archive-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216213241/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2016/NAV16144.txt}}</ref>

====Enlisted====
{{see also|List of United States Navy enlisted rates|Ranks and insignia of NATO navies enlisted|List of United States Navy ratings}}

Sailors in pay grades E-1 through E-3 are considered to be in apprenticeships.<ref name="NAVYDAT2">{{cite web |title =Group rate marks for pay grades E-1 through E-3 |publisher =U. S. Navy |url =http://www.navy.mil/navydata/ranks/rates/rates2.html |access-date =25 January 2007 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20061122204030/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/ranks/rates/rates2.html |archive-date =22 November 2006 }}</ref> They are divided into five definable groups, with colored group rate marks designating the group to which they belong: Seaman, Fireman, Airman, Constructionman, and Hospitalman. '''E-4''' to '''E-6''' are [[non-commissioned officer]]s (NCOs), and are specifically called [[Petty officer]]s in the Navy.<ref name="BUPERS">{{cite book|title=United States Navy Uniform Regulations |publisher=BUPERS, U. S. Navy |url=http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/unireg/chapter4/chapter_4sec2pt2.htm |access-date=26 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206095348/http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/unireg/chapter4/chapter_4sec2pt2.htm |archive-date=6 December 2006}}</ref> Petty Officers perform not only the duties of their specific career field but also serve as leaders to junior enlisted personnel. E-7 to E-9 are still considered Petty Officers, but are considered a separate community within the Navy. They have separate berthing and dining facilities (where feasible), wear separate uniforms, and perform separate duties.

After attaining the rate of Master Chief Petty Officer, a service member may choose to further their career by becoming a [[Command Master Chief Petty Officer]] (CMC). A CMC is considered to be the senior-most enlisted service member within a command, and is the special assistant to the [[Commanding Officer]] in all matters pertaining to the health, welfare, job satisfaction, morale, use, advancement and training of the command's enlisted personnel.<ref name="MILCMDMC">{{cite web
 |title = Navy Enlisted Advancement System – Master Chief
 |publisher = Navy Professional Development Center, Military.com
 |url = http://www.military.com/MilitaryCareers/Content/0,14556,Promotions_Navy_E9,00.html
 |access-date = 28 January 2007
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061214104540/http://www.military.com/MilitaryCareers/Content/0,14556,Promotions_Navy_E9,00.html
 |archive-date = 14 December 2006
 |url-status=live
}}</ref><ref name="IPUBCMC">{{cite web
 |title=Senior And Master Chiefs As Principal Enlisted Advisor
 |work=Military Requirements for Senior and Master Chief Petty Officer Chief
 |publisher=Integrated Publishing
 |url=http://tpub.com/content/advancement/14148/css/14148_26.htm
 |access-date=28 January 2007
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102806/http://tpub.com/content/advancement/14148/css/14148_26.htm
 |archive-date=29 September 2007
}}</ref> CMCs can be Command level (within a single unit, such as a ship or shore station), Fleet level (squadrons consisting of multiple operational units, headed by a flag officer or commodore), or Force level (consisting of a separate community within the Navy, such as Subsurface, Air, Reserves).<ref name="OPNAV1306">{{cite web
 |title =Chief of Naval Operations OPNAV Instructions 1306.2D
 |publisher =Navydata, U. S. Navy
 |url =http://www.navy.mil/navydata/mcpon/cmcinst.html
 |access-date =28 January 2007
 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070205214731/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/mcpon/cmcinst.html
 |archive-date =5 February 2007
 |url-status=live
}}</ref>

CMC insignia are similar to the insignia for Master Chief, except that the rating symbol is replaced by an inverted five-point star, reflecting a change in their rating from their previous rating (i.e., MMCM) to CMDCM. The stars for Command Master Chief are silver, while stars for Fleet, and gold stars for Force. Additionally, CMCs wear a badge, worn on their left breast pocket, denoting their title (Command/Fleet/Force).<ref name="IPUBCMC"/><ref name="BUPERSCPO">{{cite web|title=United States Navy Uniform Regulations CPO Rating |publisher=BUPERS, U. S. Navy |url=http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/unireg/chapter4/chapter_4sec2pt1.htm |access-date=26 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206095333/http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/unireg/chapter4/chapter_4sec2pt1.htm |archive-date=6 December 2006}}</ref>

{{USN Enlisted}}

====Badges of the United States Navy====
{{See also|Badges of the United States Navy}}

Insignia and badges of the United States Navy are military "badges" issued by the Department of the Navy to naval service members who achieve certain qualifications and accomplishments while serving on both active and reserve duty in the United States Navy. Most naval aviation insignia are also permitted for wear on uniforms of the [[Badges of the United States Marine Corps|United States Marine Corps]].

As described in Chapter 5 of U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations,<ref name="navy reg">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/SUPPORT/UNIFORMS/UNIFORMREGULATIONS/Pages/default.aspx
 |title=United States Navy Uniform Regulations
 |publisher=United States Navy
 |access-date=16 October 2009
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415092642/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/Pages/default.aspx
 |archive-date=15 April 2011
 |url-status=live
}}</ref> "badges" are categorized as ''breast insignia'' (usually worn immediately above and below ribbons) and ''identification badges'' (usually worn at breast pocket level).<ref name="chapter 5">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/default.aspx
 |title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Identification Badges/Awards/Insignia
 |publisher=United States Navy
 |access-date=2 April 2007
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418091253/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/default.aspx
 |archive-date=18 April 2011
 |url-status=live
}}</ref> Breast insignia are further divided between ''command'' and ''warfare and other qualification''.<ref name="section 2">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/5201.aspx
 |title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 2, Breast Insignia
 |publisher=United States Navy
 |access-date=18 November 2007
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610003155/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/5201.aspx
 |archive-date=10 June 2011
 |url-status=live
}}</ref>

Insignia come in the form of metal "pin-on devices" worn on formal uniforms and embroidered "tape strips" worn on work uniforms. For the purpose of this article, the general term "insignia" shall be used to describe both, as it is done in Navy Uniform Regulations. The term "badge", although used ambiguously in other military branches and in informal speak to describe any pin, patch, or tab, is exclusive to ''identification badges''<ref name="article 5201.2">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/5201.aspx
 |title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 2, Article 5201.2, Warfare and Other Qualifications
 |publisher=United States Navy
 |access-date=18 November 2007
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610003155/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/5201.aspx
 |archive-date=10 June 2011
 |url-status=live
}}
</ref> and authorized ''[[Distinguished Shot Badge|marksmanship awards]]''<ref name="article 5310">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/SUPPORT/UNIFORMS/UNIFORMREGULATIONS/CHAPTER5/Pages/5301.aspx
 |title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 3, Article 5310, Marksmanship Awards (Badges)
 |publisher=United States Navy
 |access-date=18 November 2007
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607024714/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/5301.aspx
 |archive-date=7 June 2011
 |url-status=live
}}</ref> according to the language in Navy Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5. Below are just a few of the many badges maintained by the Navy. The rest can be seen in the article cited at the top of this section:

<gallery class="center">
File:Naval Aviator Badge.jpg|Naval Aviator Badge
File:Submarine Officer badge.jpg|Submarine Officer badge
File:Surface Warfare Officer Insignia.png|Surface Warfare Officer Insignia
</gallery>

==Bases==
{{main|List of United States Navy installations}}
[[File:United States Navy bases.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Map of naval bases in the United States]]

The size, complexity, and international presence of the United States Navy requires a large number of navy installations to support its operations. While the majority of bases are located inside the United States itself, the Navy maintains a significant number of facilities abroad, either in U.S.-controlled territories or in foreign countries under a [[Status of Forces Agreement]] (SOFA).

===Eastern United States===
The second largest concentration of installations is at [[Hampton Roads]], [[Virginia]], where the navy occupies over {{convert|36000|acres}} of land. Located at Hampton Roads are [[Naval Station Norfolk]], homeport of the Atlantic Fleet; [[Naval Air Station Oceana]], a [[Master Jet Base]]; [[Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek]]; and [[Training Support Center Hampton Roads]] as well as a number of Navy and commercial shipyards that service navy vessels. The Aegis Training and Readiness Center is located at the [[Naval Support Activity South Potomac]] in [[Dahlgren, Virginia]]. Maryland is home to [[Naval Air Station Patuxent River|NAS Patuxent River]], which houses the Navy's [[United States Naval Test Pilot School|Test Pilot School]]. Also located in Maryland is the United States Naval Academy, situated in [[Annapolis]]. [[Naval Station Newport|NS Newport]] in Newport, Rhode Island is home to many schools and tenant commands, including the [[Officer Candidate School]], [[Naval Undersea Warfare Center]], and more, and also maintains inactive ships.{{clarify|date=December 2017}}

There is also a naval base in Charleston, South Carolina. This is home to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, under which reside the Nuclear Field "A" Schools (for Machinist Mates (Nuclear), Electrician Mates (Nuclear), and Electronics Technicians (Nuclear)), Nuclear Power School (Officer and Enlisted); and one of two Nuclear Power Training Unit 'Prototype' schools. The state of Florida is the location of three major bases, [[Naval Station Mayport|NS Mayport]], the Navy's fourth largest, in [[Jacksonville, Florida]]; [[Naval Air Station Jacksonville|NAS Jacksonville]], a Master Air Anti-submarine Warfare base; and [[Naval Air Station Pensacola|NAS Pensacola]]; home of the Naval Education and Training Command, the Naval Air Technical Training Center that provides specialty training for enlisted aviation personnel and is the primary flight training base for Navy and Marine Corps [[Naval Flight Officer]]s and enlisted [[Naval aircrewman|Naval Aircrewmen]]. There is also [[Naval Support Activity Panama City|NSA Panama City]], Florida which is home to the Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving (CENEODIVE) and the Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center and [[Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division|NSA Orlando]], Florida, which home to the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD).

The main U.S. Navy [[submarine base]]s on the east coast are located in [[Naval Submarine Base New London]] in [[Groton, Connecticut]] and [[Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay|NSB Kings Bay]] in [[Kings Bay, Georgia]]. The [[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]] near [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p=132:CONTENT:0::NO::P4_INST_ID,P4_INST_TYPE:6055,INSTALLATION |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122174351/http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p=132%3ACONTENT%3A0%3A%3ANO%3A%3AP4_INST_ID%2CP4_INST_TYPE%3A6055%2CINSTALLATION |archive-date=22 January 2016 |title=MilitaryINSTALLATIONS – U.S. Department of Defense |author=scot.greber}}</ref> which repairs naval submarines.<ref name="status"/> [[Naval Station Great Lakes|NS Great Lakes]], north of Chicago, Illinois is the home of the Navy's [[United States Navy Recruit Training|boot camp]] for enlisted sailors.

The [[Washington Navy Yard]] in Washington, DC is the Navy's oldest shore establishment and serves as a ceremonial and administrative center for the U.S. Navy, home to the Chief of Naval Operations and numerous commands.

===Western United States and Hawaii===
[[File:US Navy SEALs SEAL jumps over side boat.jpg|thumb|[[Underwater Demolition Team]] members using the casting technique from a speeding boat]]

The U.S. Navy's largest complex is [[Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake]], California, which covers {{convert|1.1|million acres}} of land, or approximately one-third of the U.S. Navy's total land holdings.<ref name="status"/>

[[Naval Base San Diego]], California is the main homeport of the Pacific Fleet, although its headquarters is located in [[Pearl Harbor]], Hawaii. [[NAS North Island]] is located on the north side of [[Coronado, California]], and is home to Headquarters for Naval Air Forces and Naval Air Force Pacific, the bulk of the Pacific Fleet's helicopter squadrons, and part of the West Coast [[aircraft carrier]] fleet. [[Naval Amphibious Base Coronado|NAB Coronado]] is located on the southern end of the Coronado Island and is home to the navy's west coast SEAL teams and special boat units. NAB Coronado is also home to the [[Naval Special Warfare Center]], the primary training center for SEALs.

The other major collection of naval bases on the west coast is in [[Puget Sound]], [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]]. Among them, [[Naval Station Everett|NS Everett]] is one of the newer bases and the navy states that it is its most modern facility.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.everett.navy.mil/index.asp |website=Naval Station Everett |title=Naval Station Everett Official Site |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050909071923/http://www.everett.navy.mil/index.asp |archive-date=9 September 2005}}</ref>

[[NAS Fallon]], Nevada serves as the primary training ground for navy strike aircrews and is home to the [[Naval Strike Air Warfare Center]]. Master Jet Bases are also located at [[NAS Lemoore]], California, and [[NAS Whidbey Island]], Washington, while the carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft community and major air test activities are located at [[NAS Point Mugu]], California. The naval presence in Hawaii is centered on [[Naval Station Pearl Harbor|NS Pearl Harbor]], which hosts the headquarters of the Pacific Fleet and many of its subordinate commands.

===United States territories===
[[File:US Navy 030527-N-0000X-001 The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) pier side in Apra Harbor, Guam.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Carl Vinson}} pier side in [[Apra Harbor]], Guam]]

Guam, an island strategically located in the Western Pacific Ocean, maintains a sizable U.S. Navy presence, including [[Naval Base Guam|NB Guam]]. The westernmost U.S. territory, it contains a natural Deepwater harbor capable of harboring aircraft carriers in emergencies.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} Its naval air station was deactivated{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} in 1995 and its flight activities transferred to nearby [[Andersen Air Force Base]].

[[Puerto Rico]] in the Caribbean formerly housed [[Roosevelt Roads Naval Station|NS Roosevelt Roads]], which was shut down in 2004 shortly after the controversial closure of the live ordnance training area on nearby [[Vieques, Puerto Rico|Vieques Island]].<ref name="status"/>

===Foreign countries===
The largest overseas base is the [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka]], Japan, which serves as the home port for the navy's largest forward-deployed fleet and is a significant base of operations in the Western Pacific.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

European operations revolve around facilities in Italy ([[Naval Air Station Sigonella|NAS Sigonella]] and [[Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Naples, Italy|Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Naples]]) with [[Naval Support Activity Naples|NSA Naples]] as the homeport for the Sixth Fleet and Command Naval Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (CNREURAFSWA), and additional facilities in nearby [[Gaeta]]. There is also [[Naval Station Rota, Spain|NS Rota]] in Spain and [[Crete Naval Base|NSA Souda Bay]] in Greece.

In the Middle East, naval facilities are located almost exclusively in countries bordering the [[Persian Gulf]], with [[Naval Support Activity Bahrain|NSA Bahrain]] serving as the headquarters of [[U.S. Naval Forces Central Command]] and [[U.S. Fifth Fleet]].

[[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base|NS Guantanamo Bay]] in Cuba is the oldest overseas facility and has become known in recent years as the location of a [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp|detention camp]] for suspected [[al-Qaeda]] operatives.<ref name="ForeignFacilities">{{cite web|url=http://militarybases.com/navy/ |title=Naval facilities outside the US |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518160349/http://militarybases.com/navy/ |archive-date=18 May 2015}}</ref>

== Equipment ==
{{Main|Equipment of the United States Navy}}
[[File:George Washington Carrier Strike Group.jpg|thumb|USS ''George Washington'' [[carrier strike group]] sails in formation, 29 April 2006.]]
{{As of|2018}}, the navy operates over 460 ships (including vessels operated by the [[Military Sealift Command]]), 3,650+ aircraft, 50,000 non-combat vehicles and owns 75,200 buildings on {{convert|3300000|acre|km2}}.

=== Ships ===
{{Main|United States Navy ships|Future of the United States Navy}}
{{See also|List of current ships of the United States Navy|List of currently active United States military watercraft|United States ship naming conventions}}

The names of commissioned ships of the U.S. Navy are prefixed with the letters "USS", designating "United States Ship".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/customs-and-traditions/ship-naming.html |title=Ship Naming in the United States Navy |publisher=United States Navy |website=[[Naval History & Heritage Command]] |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617070146/http://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/customs-and-traditions/ship-naming.html |archive-date=17 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Non-commissioned, civilian-manned vessels of the navy have names that begin with "USNS", standing for "United States Naval Ship". The names of ships are officially selected by the secretary of the navy, often to honor important people or places.<ref>O'Rourke, Ronald. (2013). [https://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RS22478.pdf Navy Ship Names: Background For Congress.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928194627/http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RS22478.pdf |date=28 September 2015}} Washington, D.C.: [[Congressional Research Service]].</ref> Additionally, each ship is given a letter-based [[hull classification symbol]] (for example, CVN or DDG) to indicate the vessel's type and number. All ships in the navy inventory are placed in the [[Naval Vessel Register]], which is part of "the Navy List" (required by article 29 of the [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]]).{{dubious |date=July 2013}} The register tracks data such as the current status of a ship, the date of its commissioning, and the date of its decommissioning. Vessels that are removed from the register prior to disposal are said to be ''stricken'' from the register. The navy also maintains a [[United States Navy reserve fleets|reserve fleet]] of inactive vessels that are maintained for reactivation in times of need.

The U.S. Navy was one of the first to install [[Nuclear marine propulsion|nuclear reactors aboard naval vessels]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Citation&nbsp;– Presidential Unit Citation for making the first submerged voyage under the North Pole |url=http://www.ussnautilus.org/events/panopo50th/puc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204062318/http://www.ussnautilus.org/events/panopo50th/puc.html |archive-date=4 February 2009 |website=[[US Navy Submarine Force Museum and Library|US Navy Submarine Force Museum]]}}</ref> Today, [[Nuclear power|nuclear energy]] powers all active U.S. aircraft carriers and [[submarine]]s.

In early 2010, the U.S. Navy had identified a need for 313 combat ships but could only afford 232 to 243 ships.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4366292&c=FEA&s=INT |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20170525032325/https://www.defensenews.com/error-404 |archive-date=25 May 2017 |title=Vice Adm. Barry McCullough |website=Defense News}}</ref> In March 2014, the Navy started counting self-deployable support ships such as minesweepers, surveillance craft, and tugs in the "battle fleet" to reach a count of 272 as of October 2016,<ref>[http://www.nvr.navy.mil/NVRSHIPS/FLEETSIZE.HTML Fleet Size] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019001420/http://www.nvr.navy.mil/NVRSHIPS/FLEETSIZE.HTML |date=19 October 2016}} US Navy Retrieved 17 October 2016</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140309/DEFREG02/303090012/US-Navy-Budget-Plan-Major-Questions-Abound |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20140309211717/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140309/DEFREG02/303090012/US-Navy-Budget-Plan-Major-Questions-Abound |archive-date=9 March 2014 |title=US Navy Budget Plan: Major Questions Abound |last1=CAVAS |first1=CHRISTOPHER P. |date=9 March 2014 |website= defensenews.com |publisher=Gannett Government Media |access-date=9 March 2014}}</ref> and it includes ships that have been put in "shrink wrap".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://breakingdefense.com/2014/03/outrage-on-capitol-hill-as-navy-changes-ship-counting-rules/ |title=Outrage on Capitol Hill As Navy Changes Ship-Counting Rules |last1=Freedberg |first1=Sydney J. Jr. |date=11 March 2014 |website=breakingdefense.com |publisher=Breaking Media, Inc. |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312213008/http://breakingdefense.com/2014/03/outrage-on-capitol-hill-as-navy-changes-ship-counting-rules/ |archive-date=12 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The number of ships generally ranged between 270 and 300 throughout the late 2010s.<ref name="CSR1">{{cite report |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10486 |title=Defense Primer: Naval Forces |author=Ronald O'Rourke |date=21 July 2021 |publisher=[[Congressional Research Service]] |page=2 |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-date=21 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721154538/https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10486 }}</ref> As of February 2022, the Navy has 296 battle force ships, however analyses state the Navy needs a fleet of more than 500 to meet its commitments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2022 |title=CNO Gilday: 'We Need a Naval Force of Over 500 Ships' |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/02/18/cno-gilday-we-need-a-naval-force-of-over-500-ships |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=USNI News |language=en-US |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023717/https://news.usni.org/2022/02/18/cno-gilday-we-need-a-naval-force-of-over-500-ships |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=The Editorial Board |date=23 February 2022 |title=Opinion {{!}} America Needs a Bigger Navy |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-needs-a-bigger-navy-admiral-mike-gilday-pentagon-defense-spending-11645649492 |access-date=28 February 2022 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023715/https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-needs-a-bigger-navy-admiral-mike-gilday-pentagon-defense-spending-11645649492 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Aircraft carriers ====
{{Main|List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy}}
[[File:USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) underway in the Atlantic Ocean on 4 June 2020 (200604-N-BD352-0199).JPG|thumb|Aerial view of {{USS|Gerald R. Ford}} (bottom), a ship of the new {{sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|4}}, alongside {{USS|Harry S. Truman}} (top), a ship of the previous {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|4}}]]

[[Aircraft carrier|Aircraft carriers]] act as [[Military airbase|airbases]] for [[carrier-based aircraft]]. They are the largest vessels in the Navy fleet and all are nuclear-powered.<ref name="CSR1" /> An aircraft carrier is typically deployed along with a host of additional vessels, forming a [[carrier strike group]]. The supporting ships, which usually include three or four [[Aegis combat system|Aegis]]-equipped cruisers and destroyers, a frigate, and two attack submarines, are tasked with protecting the carrier from air, missile, sea, and undersea threats as well as providing additional strike capabilities themselves. Ready logistics support for the group is provided by a combined ammunition, oiler, and supply ship. Modern carriers are [[United States ship naming conventions|named]] after American admirals and politicians, usually presidents.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=25 June 2020|title=Report to Congress on U.S. Navy Ship Names|url=https://news.usni.org/2020/06/25/report-to-congress-on-u-s-navy-ship-names-9|access-date=22 July 2020|website=USNI News|language=en-US|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731014035/https://news.usni.org/2020/06/25/report-to-congress-on-u-s-navy-ship-names-9|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Navy has a statutory requirement for a minimum of 11 aircraft carriers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idCNN0615186020100507?rpc=44 |title=US Navy to Gates: Yes, we need 11 aircraft carriers |work=[[Reuters]] |date=6 May 2010 |last=Wolf |first=Jim |access-date=2 July 2017 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131130106/https://www.reuters.com/article/idCNN0615186020100507?rpc=44 |url-status=live }}</ref> All 11 carriers are currently active, ten {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|0}} and one {{sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|0}}.

'''Aircraft Carrier Capacity'''

Aircraft Carriers have the ability to house 5,000 people. This is the size of a small town floating in the ocean. Aircraft carriers also have up to 90 aircraft on the ship at one time. 

==== Amphibious warfare ships ====
{{Main|List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships}}
[[File:USS Bataan (LHD-5);10080504.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Bataan|LHD-5|6}}, a {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship}}]]

[[Amphibious assault ship]]s are the centerpieces of US amphibious warfare and fulfill the same power projection role as aircraft carriers except that their striking force centers on land forces instead of aircraft. They deliver, command, coordinate, and fully support all elements of a 2,200-strong [[Marine Expeditionary Unit]] in an amphibious assault using both air and amphibious vehicles. Resembling small aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships are capable of [[V/STOL]], [[STOVL]], [[VTOL]], tiltrotor, and rotary wing aircraft operations. They also contain a [[well deck]] to support the use of [[Landing Craft Air Cushion]] (LCAC) and other amphibious assault watercraft. Recently, amphibious assault ships have begun to be deployed as the core of an [[expeditionary strike group]], which usually consists of an additional [[amphibious transport dock]] and [[dock landing ship]] for amphibious warfare and an Aegis-equipped cruiser and destroyer, frigate, and attack submarine for group defense. Amphibious assault ships are typically named after World War II aircraft carriers.

[[Amphibious transport docks]] are warships that embark, transport, and land Marines, supplies, and equipment in a supporting role during amphibious warfare missions. With a landing platform, amphibious transport docks also have the capability to serve as secondary aviation support for an expeditionary group. All amphibious transport docks can operate helicopters, LCACs, and other conventional amphibious vehicles while the newer ''San Antonio'' class of ships has been explicitly designed to operate all three elements of the Marines' "mobility triad": [[Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle]]s (EFVs), the [[V-22 Osprey]] tiltrotor aircraft, and LCACs. Amphibious transport docks are typically named after U.S. cities.

The dock landing ship is a medium amphibious transport that is designed specifically to support and operate LCACs, though it is able to operate other amphibious assault vehicles in the United States inventory as well. Dock landing ships are normally deployed as a component of an expeditionary strike group's amphibious assault contingent, operating as a secondary launch platform for LCACs. All dock landing ships are named after cities or important places in U.S. and U.S. Naval history.<ref name=":1" />

The Navy operates 32 amphibious warfare ships, eight {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|4}} and two {{sclass|America|amphibious assault ship|4}} amphibious assault ships, four {{sclass|Harpers Ferry|dock landing ship|4}} and six {{sclass|Whidbey Island|dock landing ship|4}} dock landing ships, and 12 {{sclass|San Antonio|amphibious transport dock|4}} amphibious transport dock ships.

==== Cruisers ====
{{Main|List of cruisers of the United States Navy}}
[[File:US Navy 030903-N-5024R-003 USS Port Royal (DDG 73) departed on deployment.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Port Royal|CG-73|6}}, a {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser}}]]

[[Cruiser]]s are large surface combat vessels that conduct anti-air/anti-missile warfare, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and strike operations independently or as members of a larger task force. Modern guided missile cruisers were developed out of a need to counter the [[anti-ship missile]] threat facing the United States Navy. This led to the development of the [[AN/SPY-1]] phased array radar and the [[RIM-67 Standard]] missile with the Aegis combat system coordinating the two. {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|2}}<nowiki/>s were the first to be equipped with Aegis and were put to use primarily as anti-air and anti-missile defense in a battle force protection role. Later developments of [[vertical launch system]]s and the [[BGM-109 Tomahawk|Tomahawk missile]] gave cruisers additional long-range land and sea strike capability, making them capable of both offensive and defensive battle operations. The ''Ticonderoga'' class is the only active class of cruiser. All cruisers in this class are named after battles.<ref name=":1" />

==== Destroyers ====
{{Main|List of destroyers of the United States Navy}}
[[File:DDG-125 acceptance trials.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Jack H. Lucas}}, a {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}}]]
[[Destroyer]]s are multi-mission medium surface ships capable of sustained performance in anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-ship, and offensive strike operations. Like cruisers, guided missile destroyers are primarily focused on surface strikes using Tomahawk missiles and fleet defense through Aegis and the Standard missile. Destroyers additionally specialize in anti-submarine warfare and are equipped with [[ASROC|VLA rockets]] and [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk|LAMPS Mk III Sea Hawk]] helicopters to deal with underwater threats. When deployed with a carrier strike group or expeditionary strike group, destroyers and their fellow Aegis-equipped cruisers are primarily tasked with defending the fleet while providing secondary strike capabilities. With very few exceptions, destroyers are named after U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard heroes.<ref name=":1" />

The U.S. Navy currently has 75 destroyers, 73 {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|0}} destroyers and two {{sclass|Zumwalt|destroyer|0}} stealth destroyers, with a third (the {{USS|Lyndon B. Johnson}}) expected to enter service sometime in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-13 |title=Last Zumwalt-class Destroyer Lyndon B. Johnson Leaves Bath Iron Works Bound for Mississippi |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/01/13/last-zumwalt-class-destroyer-lyndon-b-johnson-leaves-bath-iron-works-bound-for-mississippi |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=USNI News |language=en-US |archive-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528195915/https://news.usni.org/2022/01/13/last-zumwalt-class-destroyer-lyndon-b-johnson-leaves-bath-iron-works-bound-for-mississippi |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Frigates and Littoral combat ships ====
{{Main|List of frigates of the United States Navy|Littoral combat ship}}
[[File:USS Independence LCS-2 at pierce (cropped).jpg|thumb|{{USS|Independence|LCS-2|6}}, a [[littoral combat ship]]]]

Modern U.S. [[frigate]]s mainly perform anti-submarine warfare for carrier and expeditionary strike groups and provide armed escort for supply convoys and merchant shipping. They are designed to protect friendly ships against hostile submarines in low to medium threat environments, using torpedoes and LAMPS helicopters. Independently, frigates are able to conduct counterdrug missions and other maritime interception operations. As in the case of destroyers, frigates are named after U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard heroes.

In late 2015, the U.S. Navy retired its most recent class of traditional frigates in favor of the littoral combat ship (LCS), relatively small vessels designed for near-shore operations that was expected to assume many of the duties the frigate had with the fleet. The LCS was "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating [[Anti-access/area denial|anti-access]] and [[Asymmetric warfare|asymmetric threats]] in the [[Littoral zone|littorals]]",<ref>{{cite web |title=Product Lines at Supship Bath |url=http://www.navsea.navy.mil/supship/Bath/Products.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301113457/http://www.navsea.navy.mil/supship/Bath/Products.aspx |archive-date=1 March 2012 |access-date=8 May 2012 |publisher=Navsea.navy.mil}}</ref> although their ability to perform these missions in practice has been called into question.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-04 |title=The Pentagon Saw a Warship Boondoggle. Congress Saw Jobs. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/04/us/politics/littoral-combat-ships-lobbying.html |access-date=2023-03-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=23 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123143023/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/04/us/politics/littoral-combat-ships-lobbying.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Navy has announced it plans to reduce procurement of the LCS and retire early examples of the type.

In the future, the Navy plans to purchase up to 20 of the {{sclass|Constellation|frigate|1}}, based on the [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]], already in service with European navies.

The U.S. Navy currently has 23 littoral combat ships, eight {{sclass|Freedom|littoral combat ship|0}} and 15 {{sclass|Independence|littoral combat ship|0}} ships.

[[File:USS Constitution fires a 17-gun salute.jpg|thumb|[[USS Constitution|USS ''Constitution'']], firing a 17-gun salute in 2014]]

==== Mine countermeasures ships ====
{{Main|List of mine warfare vessels of the United States Navy}}

[[Mine countermeasures vessel]]s are a combination of [[minehunter]]s, a naval vessel that actively detects and destroys individual [[naval mine]]s, and [[minesweeper]]s, which clear mined areas as a whole, without prior detection of the mines. MCM vessels have mostly legacy names of previous US Navy ships, especially World War II-era minesweepers.

The Navy operates eight {{sclass|Avenger|mine countermeasures ship|1}}s, with four expected to be retired in 2024.

==== Submarines ====
{{Main|Submarines in the United States Navy}}
[[File:USS Kentucky (SSBN-737).jpg|thumb|{{USS|Kentucky|SSBN-737|6}}, an {{sclass|Ohio|submarine|0}} [[ballistic missile submarine]]]]

The U.S. Navy operates three types of submarines: [[attack submarine]]s, [[ballistic missile submarine]]s and [[guided missile submarine]]s. All current and planned U.S. Navy submarines are nuclear-powered, as nuclear propulsion allows for a combination of stealth and long-duration, high-speed, sustained underwater movement.

Attack submarines typically operate as part of a [[carrier battle group]], while [[guided missile submarine]]s generally operate independently and carry larger quantities of cruise missiles. Both types have several tactical missions, including sinking ships and other subs, launching [[cruise missile]]s, gathering intelligence, and assisting in special operations. Ballistic missile submarines operate independently with only one mission: to carry and, if called upon, to launch the [[Trident nuclear missile]].

The Navy operates 69 submarines, 29 {{sclass|Los Angeles|submarine|4}} attack submarines (with two more in reserve), 18 {{sclass|Ohio|submarine|4}} submarines with 14 configured as ballistic missile submarines and four configured as guided missile submarines, three {{sclass|Seawolf|submarine|4}} attack submarines, and 19 {{sclass|Virginia|submarine|4}} attack submarines.

==== Other ====
A special case is the {{USS|Constitution}}, commissioned in 1797 as one of the original six frigates of the United States Navy and which remains in commission at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. She occasionally sails for commemorative events such as [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]].

=== Aircraft ===
{{Main|List of active United States naval aircraft}}
{{See also|List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons|List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)}}
[[File:Four Super Hornets.jpg|thumb|Four Navy [[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]]s]]

Carrier-based aircraft are able to strike air, sea, and land targets far from a carrier strike group while protecting friendly forces from enemy aircraft, ships, and submarines. In peacetime, aircraft's ability to project the threat of sustained attack from a mobile platform on the seas gives United States leaders significant diplomatic and crisis-management options. Aircraft additionally provide logistics support to maintain the navy's readiness and, through helicopters, supply platforms with which to conduct [[search and rescue]], [[special operations]], anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and anti-surface warfare, including the U.S. Navy's premier Maritime Strike and only organic ASW aircraft, the venerable Sikorsky MH-60R operated by [[Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing]].

The U.S. Navy began to research the use of aircraft at sea in the 1910s, with Lieutenant Theodore G. "Spuds" Ellyson becoming the first naval aviator on 28 January 1911, and commissioned its first aircraft carrier, {{USS|Langley|CV-1}}, in 1922.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/nav_legacy.asp?id=1 |title=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers: Part I – The Early Years |publisher=United States Navy |website=The Carriers |access-date=30 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620115219/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/nav_legacy.asp?id=1 |archive-date=20 June 2012 |url-status=live }}</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. Leading navy aircraft in World War II included the [[Grumman F4F Wildcat]], the [[Grumman F6F Hellcat]], the Chance [[Vought F4U Corsair]], the [[Douglas SBD Dauntless]], and the [[Grumman TBF Avenger]]. 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-attack airplane is the multi-mission [[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]]. The [[F-35 Lightning II|F-35C]] entered service in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=74523 |title=Services Deliver F-35 Initial Operational Capability Timelines to Congress |work=Navy News Service |date=31 May 2013 |id=NNS130531-06 |access-date=1 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306060623/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=74523 |archive-date=6 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Navy is also looking to eventually replace its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets with the [[F/A-XX]] program.

The Aircraft Investment Plan sees naval aviation growing from 30 percent of current aviation forces to half of all procurement funding over the next three decades.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/winslow-t-wheeler/this-pentagon-needs-watch_b_492210.html |title=This Pentagon Needs Watching |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |last=Wheeler |first=Winslow T. |date=9 March 2010 |access-date=13 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327071141/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/winslow-t-wheeler/this-pentagon-needs-watch_b_492210.html |archive-date=27 March 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Weapons ===
{{Main|List of United States Navy weapons}}
[[File:US Navy 050112-N-5345W-074 Aviation Ordnancemen prepare to load 500-pound laser guided bombs (GBU-12) onto weapon pylons under an F-14B Tomcat.jpg|thumb|Aviation Ordnancemen loading [[GBU-12 Paveway II|GBU-12]] bombs in 2005]]

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. Because they are unmanned weapons, missiles allow for attacks on heavily defended targets without risk to human pilots. Land 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. For anti-ship strikes, the navy's dedicated missile is the [[Harpoon Missile]]. 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 undergoing development for use in theater ballistic missile defense. Short range defense against missiles is provided by the [[Phalanx CIWS]] and the more recently developed [[ESSM|RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile]]. In addition to missiles, the navy employs [[Mark 46 torpedo|Mark 46]], [[Mark 48 torpedo|Mark 48]], and [[Mark 50 torpedo|Mark 50]] [[torpedo]]es and various types of naval mines.

Naval fixed-wing aircraft 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 [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|Sidewinder]] and the radar guided [[AIM-120 AMRAAM|AMRAAM]] missiles along with the [[M61 Vulcan]] cannon for close range dogfighting. For surface strikes, navy aircraft use a combination of missiles, smart bombs, and dumb bombs. On the list of available missiles are the [[AGM-65 Maverick|Maverick]], [[AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER|SLAM-ER]] and [[AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon|JSOW]]. Smart bombs include the GPS-guided [[JDAM]] and the laser-guided [[Paveway]] series. Unguided munitions such as dumb bombs and [[cluster bomb]]s make up the rest of the weapons deployed by fixed-wing aircraft.

Rotary aircraft weapons are focused on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and light to medium surface engagements. To combat submarines, helicopters use Mark 46 and Mark 50 torpedoes. Against small watercraft, they use [[AGM-114 Hellfire|Hellfire]] and [[Penguin missile|Penguin]] air to surface missiles. Helicopters also employ various types of mounted anti-personnel machine guns, including the [[M60 machine gun|M60]], [[M240 machine gun|M240]], [[GAU-16]]/A, and [[Minigun|GAU-17/A]].

Nuclear weapons in the U.S. Navy arsenal are deployed through ballistic missile submarines and aircraft. The ''Ohio''-class submarine carries the latest iteration of the [[Trident missile]], a three-stage, [[submarine-launched ballistic missile]] (SLBM) with [[MIRV]] capability; the current Trident II (D5) version is expected to be in service past 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1400&ct=2 |title=''Trident'' Fleet Ballistic Missile |website=U.S. Navy Fact File |access-date=8 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060405151239/https://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1400&ct=2 |archive-date=5 April 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> The navy's other nuclear weapon is the air-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. It can be released through free-fall or parachute and can be set to detonate in the air or on the ground.

==Naval jack==
[[File:US Naval Jack.svg|thumb|upright=0.8|U.S. naval jack]]
[[File:Naval jack of the United States (2002–2019).svg|thumb|upright=0.8|First navy jack]]

The current [[Jack (flag)|naval jack]] of the United States is the [[Jack of the United States|Union Jack]], a small blue flag emblazoned with the stars of the 50 states. The Union Jack was not flown for the duration of the War on Terror, during which Secretary of the Navy [[Gordon R. England]] directed all U.S. naval ships to fly the [[First Navy Jack]]. While Secretary England directed the change on 31 May 2002, many ships chose to shift colors later that year in remembrance of the first anniversary of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]. The Union Jack, however, remained in use with vessels of the U.S. Coast Guard and [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]. A jack of similar design to the Union Jack was used in 1794, 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 (ship)|bow]] of the ship while the ensign is flown from the [[stern]]. When underway, the ensign is raised on the mainmast. Before the decision for all ships to fly the First Navy Jack, it was flown only on the oldest ship in the active American fleet, which is currently {{USS|Blue Ridge|LCC-19|6}}. U.S. Navy ships and craft returned to flying the Union Jack effective 4 June 2019. The date for reintroduction of the jack commemorates the Battle of Midway, which began on 4 June 1942.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/02/22/heres-why-the-union-jack-is-back-in-the-navy/|title=Here's why the Union Jack is back|first=Mark D.|last=Faram|date=23 February 2019|website=Navy Times|access-date=4 April 2019|archive-date=22 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422152641/https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/02/22/heres-why-the-union-jack-is-back-in-the-navy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notable sailors==
{{main list|List of United States Navy people}}
Many past and present United States historical figures have served in the U.S. Navy.

===Officers===
Notable officers include:
*[[John Paul Jones|John P. Jones]]
*[[John Barry (naval officer)|John Barry]] (Continental Navy officer and first flag officer of the United States Navy),<ref>{{cite web |author=One Hundred Ninth Congress |author-link=109th United States Congress |url = http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-109hjres38enr/pdf/BILLS-109hjres38enr.pdf |title=Joint Resolution Recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy |website=[[United States Government Publishing Office|Government Printing Office]] |access-date=30 June 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140306061915/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-109hjres38enr/pdf/BILLS-109hjres38enr.pdf |archive-date=6 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Edward Preble]]
*[[James Lawrence]] (whose [[last words]] "don't give up the ship" are memorialized in [[Bancroft Hall]] at the United States Naval Academy)<ref>{{Cite web |title=VMH: Memorial Hall |url=https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/Memorial_Hall |access-date=27 September 2022 |website=usnamemorialhall.org |archive-date=27 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927022252/https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/Memorial_Hall |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Stephen Decatur Jr.]], [[David Farragut]], [[David Dixon Porter|David D. Porter]], [[Oliver Hazard Perry|Oliver H. Perry]],
*Commodore [[Matthew C. Perry]] (who, under the direction of President Millard Fillmore, forced the opening of Japan<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/opening-to-japan|title=Milestones: 1830–1860 - Office of the Historian|website=history.state.gov|access-date=25 May 2022|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524112402/https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/opening-to-japan|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[George Dewey]] (the only person in U.S. history to have attained the rank of [[Admiral of the Navy]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2022 |title=Dewey, George |website=Naval History and Heritage Command |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/research-guides/z-files/zb-files/zb-files-d/dewey-george.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324173704/https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/research-guides/z-files/zb-files/zb-files-d/dewey-george.html |archive-date=24 March 2022 |access-date=24 September 2022}}</ref>
*[[William D. Leahy]]<ref name="fleet admirals"/>
*[[Ernest J. King]]<ref name="fleet admirals"/>
*[[Chester W. Nimitz]]<ref name="fleet admirals"/>
*[[William F. Halsey Jr.]]<ref name="fleet admirals">{{Cite web |date=7 September 2022 |title=The Navy's World War II-era Fleet Admirals |website=Naval History and Heritage Command |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/n/the-navys-world-war-ii-era-fleet-admirals.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907053157/https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/n/the-navys-world-war-ii-era-fleet-admirals.html |archive-date=7 September 2022 |access-date=24 September 2022}}</ref>

===Presidents===
The first American President who served in the U.S. Navy was [[John F. Kennedy]] (who commanded the famous ''[[Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109|PT-109]]'' in World War II); he was then followed by [[Lyndon B. Johnson]], [[Richard Nixon]], [[Gerald Ford]], [[Jimmy Carter]], and [[George H. W. Bush]].

===Government officials===
Some notable former members of the Navy include [[United States Senator|U.S. Senators]], [[Bob Kerrey]], [[John McCain]], and [[John Kerry]], along with [[Ron DeSantis]], [[Governor (United States)|Governor]] of Florida, and [[Jesse Ventura]], Governor of [[Minnesota]].

===Others===
Notable former members of the U.S. Navy include; astronauts ([[Alan B. Shepard]], [[Walter M. Schirra]], [[Neil Armstrong]], [[John Young (astronaut)|John Young]], [[Michael J. Smith (astronaut)|Michael J. Smith]], [[Scott Kelly (astronaut)|Scott Kelly]]), entertainers ([[Johnny Carson]], [[Mike Douglas]], [[Paul Newman]], [[Robert Stack]], [[Humphrey Bogart]], [[Tony Curtis]], [[Jack Lemmon]], [[Jack Benny]], [[Don Rickles]], [[Ernest Borgnine]], [[Harry Belafonte]], [[Henry Fonda]], [[Fred Gwynne]]), authors ([[Robert Heinlein]], [[Marcus Luttrell]], [[Thomas Pynchon]], [[Brandon Webb (author)|Brandon Webb]]), musicians, ([[John Philip Sousa]], [[MC Hammer]], [[John Coltrane]], [[Zach Bryan]], [[Fred Durst]]), professional athletes ([[David Robinson]], [[Bill Sharman]], [[Roger Staubach]], [[Joe Bellino]], [[Bob Kuberski]], [[Nile Kinnick]], [[Bob Feller]], [[Yogi Berra]], [[Larry Doby]], [[Stan Musial]], [[Pee Wee Reese]], [[Phil Rizzuto]], [[Jack Taylor (American swimmer)|Jack Taylor]]), business people ([[John Barry (WD-40)|John S. Barry]], [[Jack C. Taylor]], [[Paul A. Sperry]]), and computer scientists ([[Grace Hopper]]).
{{clear}}

==Naval post offices==
During World War I the first U.S. government post offices were established aboard Navy ships, managed by a Navy postal clerk. Prior to this, mail from crew members was collected and at the first opportunity was dropped off at a port of call where it was processed at a US Post Office. Before the arrival of email and the internet, hand stamped mail was the only way Navy crew members at sea could communicate with their family, friends and others. Mail was considered almost as valuable to crew members as food and ammunition.<ref>[[#navymail|Navy Postal Clerk Association]], Essay</ref>  Sometimes mail from various crew members (referred to by historians and collectors as [[postal history]]), is directly associated with naval history.<ref>[[#graham1992|Graham, 1992]], p. 125</ref> Letters and other correspondence sent by commanders, officers and crew members can include names, ranks, signatures, addresses, and ship's postmarks which can often confirm dates and locations of naval ships and crew members during various battles or other naval operations. As such, naval mail can serve as a source of information to naval historians and biographers. Among the more notable examples of Naval postal history include letters sent from the [[USS Arizona|USS ''Arizona'']], before and on December 7, 1941.<ref>[[#smithsonian|Smithsonian National postal Museum]]</ref><ref>[[#arizona|Ephemera, Photographs & Military Artwork]]</ref><ref>[[#linn's|Linn's Stamp News]], April 29, 2021</ref>

{| style="margin:auto"
| [[File:USS Arizona cover, Oct 10, 1941.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Cover mailed from USS ''Arizona'', 10 October, 1941, 30 days before the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] ]]
| [[File:USS Oklahoma, Cover, 1932.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1 |Cover mailed from USS ''Oklahoma'', signed by Admiral John Wainwright, US Navy, postmarked 5 March 1932]]
| [[File:US Naval Covers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|There is a US naval post office aboard nearly every US Navy ship, each with its own postal officer and postmark bearing the ship's name.]]
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|United States}}
{{div col}}
* [[Bibliography of early United States naval history]]
* [[List of undesignated military aircraft of the United States]]
* [[List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)]]
* [[List of United States Navy ships]]
* [[Lists of military aircraft of the United States]]
* [[Modern United States Navy carrier air operations]]
* [[Naval militia]]
* {{sclass|Spearhead|expeditionary fast transport}}
* [[Women in the United States Navy]]
{{end div col}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{Cite web |title=Navy aircraft inventory by type U.S. 2024 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1076032/us-navy-aircraft-inventory-type/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Statista |language=en |archive-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107010954/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1076032/us-navy-aircraft-inventory-type/ |url-status=live |ref=aircraft}}
* {{Cite web |title=Navy Raises Battle Force Goal to 381 Ships in Classified Report to Congress |url=https://news.usni.org/2023/07/18/navy-raises-battle-force-goal-to-381-ships-in-classified-report-to-congress |access-date=October 13, 2023 |website=United States Naval Institute |date=18 July 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115110643/https://news.usni.org/2023/07/18/navy-raises-battle-force-goal-to-381-ships-in-classified-report-to-congress |url-status=live |ref=classified}}
* {{cite web |title=Responsibilities |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/leadership/cno_resp.asp |publisher=United States Navy |website=[[Chief of Naval Operations]] |access-date=15 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624095534/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/leadership/cno_resp.asp |archive-date=24 June 2013 |url-status=live |ref=responsibilities}}
* {{cite web |title=America's Navy |url=https://www.navy.com/ |website=navy.com |access-date=25 June 2019 |archive-date=24 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624163904/https://www.navy.com/ |url-status=live |ref=amnavy }}
* {{cite news |newspaper=Linn's Stamp News |last=Miller |first=Rick |date=April 29, 2021 |title=Modern Military Postal History |url=https://www.linns.com/news/postal-updates-page/give-modern-military-postal-history-a-try.html |work= |location= |access-date=May 6, 2024 |ref=linns}}
*{{cite web |first= |last= |title=USS Arizona Postal Cover - December 7, 1941 KIA |publisher=Ephemera, Photographs & Military Artwork |date=December 7, 1941 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |url=https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/331138-uss-arizona-postal-cover-december-7-1941-kia/ |ref=arizona1935 }}
*{{cite web |first= |last= |title=1941 letter from a USS Arizona crewman |publisher=Ephemera, Photographs & Military Artwork |date=December 7, 1941 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |url=https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/34619-1941-letter-from-a-uss-arizona-crewman// |ref=arizona1941 }}
* {{cite book |last=Graham |first=Richard B |title= United States Postal History, sampler|volume= |author-mask= |publisher=Linn's Stamp News |location=Sidney, Ohio |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-94040-3307 |url=https://archive.org/details/unitedstatespost0000grah/page/124/mode/2up?q=navy |ref=graham1992 |page=125}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|United States Navy}}
{{Wikiquote|United States Navy}}
{{Library resources box}}
* {{Official website |url= http://www.navy.mil/}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.navsource.org |title=Photographic History of The U.S. Navy |work=Naval History |publisher=NavSource}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.hazegray.org/ |title= Naval History and Photography |website= Haze Gray & Underway – HazeGray.org}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121215042844/http://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552708 U.S. Navy during the Cold War] from the [http://www.library.georgetown.edu/digital/krogh Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives]
* {{cite web |url=http://www.worldwar1atsea.net/WW1NavyUS.htm |access-date=3 February 2007 |title=United States Navy in World War I |publisher=World War I at Sea.net}} (includes warship losses)
* {{cite web |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ |title=U.S. Navy in World War II |work=World War II on the World Wide Web |publisher=Hyper War}} (includes ''The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II'')
* {{cite journal |url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/permalink/meta-dc-1023:2 |title=Our Fighting Ships |journal=U.S. WW II Newsmap |publisher=Army Orientation Course |date=29 June 1942 |volume=1 |issue=10}}
* {{cite web |url= http://www.naval-history.net/WW2USN193909.htm |access-date=3 February 2007 |title=Strict Neutrality&nbsp;– Britain & France at War with Germany, September 1939 – May 1940 |work=United States Navy and World War II |publisher=Naval-History.net |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061118003814/http://www.naval-history.net/WW2USN193909.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date= 18 November 2006}} (chronology of the lead up of U.S. entry into World War II)
* {{cite web |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/nsc/nss/2006/intro.html |title=The National Security Strategy of the United States of America |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128032451/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/nsc/nss/2006/intro.html |archive-date=28 January 2010 |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]]}}
* {{cite web |url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/ |title=U.S. Navy Ships |publisher=Military Analysis Network |website=Federation of American Scientists}}
* {{cite web |url= http://gvsu.cdmhost.com/cdm/search/searchterm/%20United%20States.%20Naval%20Reserve/mode/exact/ |title= Naval recognition-Grand Valley State University Archives and Special Collections |access-date= 14 January 2013 |archive-date= 23 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181223172301/http://gvsu.cdmhost.com/cdm/search/searchterm/%20United%20States.%20Naval%20Reserve/mode/exact/ }}

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{{WWII US ships}}
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{{United States Armed Forces}}
{{United States Department of Defense}}
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{{United States topics}}
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[[Category:United States Navy| ]]
[[Category:Navies by country]]
[[Category:Uniformed services of the United States|Navy]]
[[Category:1775 establishments in the Thirteen Colonies]]
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