Our Navy

February / March 2012 - Navy
By MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West

Since becoming MCPON, many people have asked me if I’m concerned about the future of our Navy. My answer is always and emphatically, “No, no, no!” Sailors today possess commitment, inspiration, innovation and energy absolutely equal to and often greater than when I was a young seaman in the early ’80s. The men and women serving our Force are trained, educated, engaged, and they are fueled by the challenges presented to them by enthusiastic leadership.

Just look how far we’ve come as a Navy. We have an impressive 236-year history that has shaped us into the preeminent maritime force that we are now. Millions of men and women have proudly served before us, laying down the foundation that we continue to build upon today. From the Continental Navy, to the Great White Fleet, to a 600-ship Navy, to our present day highly-diversified, highly-technical Fleet, our Navy has remained steadfast and ready, answering every call our nation has given.

In 1781, George Washington proclaimed, “It follows than 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.” I believe his words remain true today.

Our Navy today with 285 ships is the smallest; it has been since 1916, but we have never been more capable. On any given day, we have nearly 65,000 deployed Sailors, including Sailors boots-on-ground in Afghanistan, and 40 percent of our Fleet on station around the world executing our Navy’s core capabilities of the maritime strategy.

One thing that hasn’t changed is why we need a strong worldwide Navy. Think about this: water covers about 70 percent of the earth’s surface; about 80 percent of the world’s population lives near the ocean; and about 90 percent of all international trade travels by sea. What happens on the oceans is very important to American security and prosperity. It’s important to keeping the peace worldwide, and most fundamentally, it’s important to our national defense.

Our Navy’s job is getting bigger because the challenges our country faces are and will remain somewhat unpredictable and diverse, and we need to be ready to confront these challenges.

And we are, by following our Chief of Naval Operations’ three tenets in every decision we make. They are: (1) Warfighting first; (2) Operate forward; and (3) Be ready. This is what we do and this is who we are. Whatever challenges our Navy has faced, we have been able to overcome them for the last 236 years and we will continue to overcome them in the future.

Though our Navy has evolved throughout history, the one constant, the one thing that has remained the same is our people. Sailors are the engine that truly drives our great Navy: They are what make our Navy the best that has ever sailed the world’s oceans. Every time I travel, I get to witness this firsthand. I am always inspired by the outstanding job our Sailors are doing every day. They serve with distinction whether they are operating under, on, or above our oceans or boots-on-ground; they are the essence of our Navy, ready for any mission, anytime, anywhere.

I am extremely proud to be a United States Sailor.

HOOYAH!