1. An Interview with Navy ____________________________________________
About Navy Ships
Q It seems like the Navy today is nothing like the Navy we hear about during World War II.
Do we still have as many ships as we did then?
A It’s true that the U.S. Navy is much different now. During World War II, America needed
to have lots of ships to safeguard shipping convoys and to deal with the aggression of our
enemies. In fact, we had more than 6,700 ships then. By contrast, today’s ships are much larger,
faster and more powerful, so we need fewer of them. We can dominate the world’s oceans today
with about 250 ships.
Q Is sea transportation less important today than it once was? Is that the reason that we need
fewer ships?
A Actually, sea transportation still is the most important mode of moving goods
internationally. About 90 percent of the worlds goods travel by sea, so safeguarding commercial
shipping is still a major mission for our Navy. Quite simply, changes in technology and in our
ability to build larger and yet more efficient watercraft have changed the nature of our operations
completely. The makeup of our fleet is completely different.
Q We rarely hear about battleships these days. How important are those?
A Once the command ships in America’s fleet, the last battleships to be used were actually
taken out of mothballs to be used briefly during the Vietnam War. They were scrapped following
that because other ship designs became more useful. Our aircraft carriers clearly now are our
command vessels and our battle groups are configured around them.
Q How many aircraft carriers do we have and what makes them so special?
A Right now we have 11 aircraft carriers in operation, and these ships are like floating cities
with airports. To give you a sense of the size and scope, each carrier has its own ZIP code,
carries roughly 80 aircraft, and serves more than 18,000 meals each day. When battleships were
the most dominant vessels on the seas, their scope of influence was really limited by the range of
their guns. That range, while formidable, was still only a few miles in any direction. The aircraft
aboard today’s aircraft carriers can strike targets hundreds of miles out, and each carrier has
more capacity for aircraft now than ever before.
Q You mentioned battle groups, so besides aircraft carriers, what other kinds of ships does
the Navy have?
2. A Aircraft Carriers can’t perform all of the Navy’s tasks, so other ships with special warfare
capabilities are components of the fleet as well. Destroyers, cruisers, frigates, amphibious craft
and submarines are the key players, but a variety of other ships are involved as well.
Q What does each of those ships do?
A Well, Navy cruisers, destroyers and frigates make certain no carrier, cargo/supply ship or
oil tanker proceeds into an area where enemy action is possible. With lightning-quick
communications, space-based radar systems, precision weapons and advanced engineering
systems, these agile surface warfare ships provide anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and anti-ship
protective measures. Cruisers are modern guided-missile vessels that are used primarily in a
battle force role. In a sense, they are the replacements for battleships. Destroyers, like Cruisers,
are guided-missile vessels. They take part in a variety of missions, supporting carrier and
expeditionary strike groups and surface strike groups. The role of frigates is to assist amphibious
expeditionary forces and replenish groups and merchant convoys.
Q You mentioned missiles. Did these replace guns?
A Our ships still have guns for use in close-in combat situations, but missiles are
significantly better for fighting at long range. They strike targets precisely, eliminating a lot of
unnecessary casualties and collateral damage. They also require more highly educated and
trained personnel to operate and maintain them.
Q What is the role of the Navy’s amphibious craft?
A Performing in groups of three ships, the Amphibious Force in America’s Navy is known
for its ability to move swiftly through water and over land. They operate year-round, handling
power projection and beach assault, as well as assisting in crisis response, humanitarian
operations and disaster relief. Along with troops, equipment and supplies, these ships hold
tracked and wheeled all-terrain vehicles, a large array of helicopters, other amphibious landing
craft and assault vehicles. These self-sufficient vessels make it possible for the U.S. to exercise
military power far from American shores. They also provide for non-combatant evacuation and
other humanitarian missions.
Q How do submarines fit into this mix?
A America’s Navy submarines and their crews play a number of roles in both war and
peace time: attack, surveillance, commando insertion, research, and nuclear deterrence. Through
all this, the Navy has found individuals to serve proudly in the “Silent Service,” where standards
3. are high and victories are often kept secret.
In order to carry out their missions, submariners are equipped with some of the most high-tech
equipment in the world, from special mini-subs for inserting SEAL teams into hostile target
areas to ballistic missiles to advanced computers and sonar equipment. This category probably
deserves a completely separate interview.
Q You have touched upon a variety of subject ranging from ships to aircraft to missiles to
submarines. How does one get started pursuing some of these opportunities?
A Actually, the best first step is to contact the local recruiting station to find out about any
and all of the jobs that we have available. To reach us, simply contact our station by calling
______________, or stop in most afternoons at ___________________________________. If
you or an out of-town friend want to locate another station near them, visit www.navy.com and
click on “find a recruiter” on the right side of the home page, then enter your zip code number. A
call to 800-4go –Navy will do the trick as well.
Additional comment:
To put the Navy’s role in perspective, you need to recognize that 70 percent of the world is
covered by ocean, 80 percent of the world’s population lives along coasts and 90 percent of the
world’s commerce travels by water. Protecting all of that is our job, and that makes America’s
Navy a global force for good.
Sailors serve on land and from the sea; from ships on the water, submarines under the water, and
planes and helicopters over the water – all to meet America’s threats far away so that those
threats cannot harm us here. We welcome the best men and women to join us in accomplishing
today’s missions and meeting tomorrow’s challenges.
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