Establishment of the Navy, 13 October 1775

This resolution of the Continental Congress marked the establishment of what is now the United States Navy.

"Resolved, That a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns, and a proportionable number of swivels, with eighty men, be fitted, with all possible despatch, for a cruise of three months, and that the commander be instructed to cruize eastward, for intercepting such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for such other purposes as the Congress shall direct.

That a Committee of three be appointed to prepare an estimate of the expence, and lay the same before the Congress, and to contract with proper persons to fit out the vessel.

Resolved, that another vessel be fitted out for the same purposes, and that the said committee report their opinion of a proper vessel, and also an estimate of the expence."

Happy Birthday, Navy!

So, what did you get the Navy to celebrate 245 years of service to the country? Or did you forget again this year because you suffer from "sea blindness" and don't know what the Navy people out there are doing to protect your freedom, free and open seas, and working with willing allies to bolster the world's economy?

Cakes are nice, but how about a round of applause and a request to your elected representatives to support the fleet?

Happy birthday, NAVY!

And thanks to all you sailors, asea and ashore, present and past.

U.S. Navy - 244 Years of Service

U.S. Navy's 240th Birthday

First, thank you to all those men and women who have served or are serving in the U.S. Navy. It is the celebration of your service in the Navy that we really honor today. Happy Birthday!

Second, birthdays are a good time to take stock of how we stand so, as set out here, the status of the Fleet:

Navy Personnel
Active Duty: 328,186
Officers: 54,713
Enlisted: 268,987
Midshipmen (Naval Academy only): 4,486 (does not include the Naval ROTC students at 61 NROTC units/consortiums hosted at 75 schools throughout the United States who are not on active duty)

Ready Reserve: 110,882 [As of Aug 2015 ]
Selected Reserves: 57,529
Ready Reserve: 53,353
Reserves currently mobilized: 2,609 [As of Aug 2015]

Navy Department Civilian Employees: 196,514

Ships and Submarines
Deployable Battle Force Ships: 271
Total Ships Deployed/Underway Ships Deployed: 92 (34%)
Ships Underway for Local Ops / Training (USFF / 3rd Fleet) Ships Underway for Local Ops / Training (USFF / 3rd Fleet): 37 (13%)
Ships Underway
Aircraft Carriers:
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - Atlantic
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - 7th Fleet
USS George Washington (CVN 73) - Pacific
Underway Amphibious Assault Ships:
USS Essex (LHD 2) - 5th Fleet

Aircraft (operational): 3700+

Stats as of 31 Mar 15.  So, currently serving their country in the Navy - over 440,000 Americans in uniform and another 196,000+ in civilian clothes.

That's a lot of cake.