How the U.S. Navy Functions

This article explores the structure of the Navy, its fleet, the history of the force, the process of enlistment, the experience of Navy life, and what happens when one leaves the Navy.

Organization of the Navy

The military framework of the Navy is split into two main sections: the Operating Forces and the Shore Establishment. The Operating Forces are composed of nine key areas:

• Atlantic Fleet (currently referred to as Fleet Forces Command)
• Pacific Fleet
• Military Sealift Command
• Naval Forces Central Command
• Naval Forces Europe
• Naval Network Warfare Command
• Naval Special Warfare Command
• Operational Test and Evaluation Forces
• Navy Reserve

Each Operating Force contains various numbered fleets, each of which has authority over a distinct geographical region. When a fleet of ships relocates to a different area, they become part of that area’s fleet designation. The smallest independent operational unit in the Navy is the ship, though ships typically work together. Each vessel has specific roles, advantages, and limitations, and they operate within task forces, where groups of ships collaborate to fulfill the larger mission.

The Military Sealift Command is a crucial division within the Navy, responsible for transporting essential supplies for all branches of the U.S. military via sea. Large cargo vessels and tankers deliver dry goods and fuel worldwide to wherever the U.S. military requires support.

The Shore Establishment is a broad network of departments that manage naval intelligence, training, research and development, maintenance, and various logistical operations. The Naval Academy is an integral part of the Shore Establishment.

In addition to their rank, Navy sailors are assigned a rating, which refers to their specific role within the Navy. Examples of ratings include Electronics Technician, Gunner's Mate, and Boatswain Mate. This should not be confused with rate, which pertains to an enlisted sailor's pay grade.

Navy Ships

The largest vessels in the Navy are aircraft carriers. More akin to floating cities than mere ships, each aircraft carrier is assigned its own zip code. With over 2,000 airmen needed to operate the carrier’s air wing, the total crew on a carrier reaches around 5,500. The Nimitz-class carriers are the largest ships in existence, measuring 1,092 feet in length and weighing 97,000 tons when fully loaded [source: The U.S. Navy]. There are currently 13 active aircraft carriers in service.

Cruisers are large, versatile ships, typically equipped with advanced missile systems like AEGIS. All 22 Navy cruisers are Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers, named after Fort Ticonderoga. Cruisers can serve in supporting roles, such as being part of a carrier or amphibious assault group, or act as flagships for their own operational groups [source: The U.S. Navy].

Destroyers are compact, agile ships designed for speed and tactical maneuvering. The majority of modern destroyers, numbering over 50, belong to the Arleigh Burke class. These guided missile destroyers are equipped with advanced missile guidance systems and multifunctional phased array radar. The class is named after a naval legend who served in World War II and the Korean War, and held the position of Chief of Naval Operations during the Eisenhower era.

Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates primarily serve as escorts for naval shipping. These versatile escort vessels are named in honor of Oliver Hazard Perry, a distinguished naval figure from the War of 1812. He is famously remembered for declaring, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."

Submarines are capable of operating unseen beneath the ocean's surface. The Navy utilizes submarines as missile-launching platforms, for attacking enemy surface ships, and for carrying out covert surveillance operations.

Amphibious Assault Ships come in a wide range of sizes and configurations. These ships are designed to project the Navy's power from the sea to the land. Often, the troops deployed from these ships are Marines who carry out land-based operations.

Battleships are enormous, heavily armed vessels capable of bombarding shorelines and causing significant damage to enemy ships. As of 2007, the U.S. no longer has any battleships in active service.

Beyond their fleet of ships, the Navy operates an assortment of aircraft for both transportation and combat. A critical feature for many Navy aircraft is their ability to operate from the confined space of an aircraft carrier's deck. To achieve this, these planes are designed to take off and land within a short distance, with the help of steam catapults and cable-and-hook arrest systems. The Navy's fighter aircraft of choice is predominantly the F/A-18.

Navy History

The Navy has been a key player in every major U.S. military operation and has provided vital assistance in numerous peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. On December 7, 1941, Navy vessels became the target of one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. soil when Japanese forces launched an assault on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Additionally, the Navy has called upon a civilian workforce of engineers, known as the SeaBees, who have played a pivotal role in constructing vital infrastructure, including airstrips, schools, hospitals, and power plants, in developing nations worldwide.

At the height of World War II in 1945, the U.S. Navy boasted a record number of 3.4 million personnel. Today, however, the Navy carries out its responsibilities with a workforce of around 350,000. Modernization efforts have been focused on enhancing the efficiency of Navy ships, enabling them to function with significantly smaller crews. These advancements are expected to save billions in operational costs by reducing the need to pay, train, and provide benefits for sailors [source: The Naval Historical Center, The U.S. Navy].

Life in the Navy

For those aiming to become Navy officers, including the possibility of commanding a ship one day, there are several pathways. One option is the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, a prestigious four-year undergraduate institution that trains individuals to become officers. Admission requires a Congressional nomination. Another option is Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. This intense 13-week course, which requires a degree for entry, is more demanding than basic training.

After completing their basic training, recruits may pursue further education at a technical school or participate in the Journeyman Program, where they work alongside experienced sailors in various ratings to gain practical, hands-on knowledge of Navy operations.

The heart of Navy life revolves around service aboard a ship. While the typical deployment lasts six months, the Navy is experimenting with varying deployment lengths to make schedules more adaptable and less predictable. Living for months with hundreds of others in confined spaces requires patience, teamwork, and unwavering loyalty to the ship’s captain, whose authority aboard is unquestionable.

Navy ships are always busy with important tasks, but sailors are also given opportunities for recreation. A memorable example was the 'Reagan Idol' singing competition held aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, where the winner earned a spot on the American Idol TV show in 2007. Additionally, every sailor is entitled to 30 days of leave annually and can fly for free on Navy or most other military flights on a standby basis [source: The U.S. Navy].

Women have played a crucial role in shaping the modern Navy, with their fight for equal treatment and pay mirroring the broader equal rights movement in the United States. In 1976, Congress mandated that women be allowed into the Naval Academy. A law from 1948 had previously restricted women from serving on most Navy ships, but this was overturned in 1978, allowing women to serve aboard Navy vessels ever since. Moreover, women were permitted to engage in air combat roles in the 1990s and now contribute significantly in that area as well [source: PBS].

As part of the U.S. military, all Navy personnel are governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Depending on the situation, dismissal from the Navy can take various forms, from an honorable discharge to a court martial. For more details, refer to 'How the Army Works' for a comprehensive explanation.

Navy veterans and retirees are entitled to a wide range of benefits, including burial in state cemeteries, health and life insurance, low-interest loans for mortgages or small businesses, and veterans’ healthcare. The full range of benefits may vary based on the nature of the veteran's dismissal, with an honorable discharge or retirement typically required to access all benefits. For specific inquiries regarding veterans' benefits, you can begin your search here: The National Archives.

For further details on the Navy and related subjects, explore the links provided on the following page.