United States Navy

United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most capable navy in the world, with the highest combined battle fleet tonnage and the world's largest aircraft carrier fleet, with eleven in service, two new carriers under construction, and five other carriers planned.

History

The Continental Navy was established during the American Revolutionary War and was effectively disbanded as a separate entity shortly thereafter. The United States Navy was officially established on October 13, 1775, when the Continental Congress passed a resolution creating the Continental Navy. The United States Constitution, ratified in 1789, empowered Congress "to provide and maintain a navy."

Structure

The U.S. Navy falls under the administration of the 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.

Personnel

As of June 2019, the Navy has nearly 340,000 active-duty servicemembers and 59,000 in the Navy Reserve. It operates 290 ships in active service and more than 3,700 aircraft.

Roles

The U.S. Navy has three primary areas of responsibility:

• 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, tactics, technique, organization, and equipment of naval combat and service elements.

See also

• United States Naval Academy
• United States Navy SEALs
• List of United States Navy ships
• Naval Station Norfolk
• Naval Submarine Base New London