"The United States Navy is the envy of every other navy in the world. They don't want to be like us - they want to be us." -Admiral Leighton Smith

"Hear my voice, America! Though I speak through the mists of 200 years, my shout for freedom will echo through liberty's halls for many centuries to come. Hear me speak, for my words are of Truth and Justice, and the Rights of Man. For those ideals, I have spilled my blood upon the world's troubled waters. Listen well, for my time is eternal - yours is but a moment...

...I am the American Sailor and I wear many faces. I am a pilot soaring across God's blue canopy, and I am a Seabee atop a dusty bulldozer in the South Pacific. I am a Corpsman nursing the wounded in the jungle, and I am a Torpedoman in the Nautilus deep beneath the North Pole. I am hard and I am strong...

...I am the American Sailor. I am woman; I am man; I am white and black, yellow, red and brown. I am Jew, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist. I am Irish, Filipino, African, French, Chinese, and Indian. My standard is the outstretched hand of Liberty. Today, I serve around the world, on land, in air, on and under the sea. I serve proudly, in war and peace alike. Tell your children of me. Tell them of my sacrifice, and how my spirit soars above their country. I have spread the mantle of my nation over the ocean and I will guard her forever. I am her heritage and yours...

I AM THE AMERICAN SAILOR!!"

In light of this week's amazing military victory by United States Navy SEALS, I am dedicated this post to them...

The history of the United States Navy is divided into two major periods: The "Old Navy," a small group of sailing ships that innovated the use of the ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy," a modernized effort that began in the 1880's and eventually became the most powerful in the world. The official date of establishment for the United States Navy is October 13, 1775, when the Continental Congress passed a resolution creating the Continental Navy.

In 1861, the American Civil War began and the United States Navy fought the small Confederate Navy with both sailing ships and ironclad ships while forming a blockade on the confederacy. After the Civil War most of the ships were laid up in reserve and by 1878 the Navy shrank to only 6,000 men. In the next decade or so, Congress approved building multiple modern armoured cruisers and battleships and by the turn of the century, the US Navy had moved from twelfth place to fifth place in terms of number of ships. By the end of WWI, we had more men and women in uniform than the Royal Navy.

During the 1920's and 1930's, the Navy built several aircraft carriers and modern battleships and was drawn into WWII after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The base was attacked by 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six different aircraft carriers. Four US Naval battleships were sunk (two of which were raised and returned to service later in the war) and the four others present were damaged. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,402 men were killed, and 1,282 wounded.

The Navy gradually developed a reputation for having the most highly-developed technology of all the US services. The 1950's saw the development of nuclear power for ships as well as the development of missiles and jets for Navy use.

As of 2011, the Navy is the smallest numerically, with less than 300 ships, since World War I. However, the comparison is misleading since modern ships are larger and carry more firepower than those of 100 years ago. Since the end of the Cold War, the Navy has shifted its focus from preparations for large-scale war with the Soviet Union to special operations and strike missions in regional conflicts. The Navy participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and is a major participant in the ongoing War on Terror.

The United States Navy SEa, Air and Land (SEAL) Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the US Navy's principal special operations force. The unit's acronym ("SEAL") is derived from their capacity to operate at sea, in the air, and on land – but it is their ability to work underwater that separates SEALs from most other military units in the world. Though their history does not go back as far as the Navy itself, their special forces title makes them some of the most elite and well-trained military in the world.

On April 12, 2009, in response to a hostage-taking incident off of the coast of Somalia, three Navy SEALs simultaneously engaged and killed three Somalian pirates. The three pirates were closely holding the hostage, Captain Richard Phillips, of a freighter ship. They were killed by three Navy SEAL snipers with single shots to each of their heads.

On May 1, 2011 a group of elite Navy SEALS stormed into Osama Bin Laden's secret compound in Pakistan, killing the unarmed terrorist leader. After a decade of this manhunt, OBL was killed by a gunshot wound to the head. No Americans were injured in the raid. The group of about 40 Navy SEALs were part of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, previously known as "Team 6."



For those of you that have never been to Hawaii, it is a must, of course, not only for the beautiful scenery but for the experience of Pearl Harbor. The resting place for 1,102 men, whose bodies are still entrapped within the ship, the memorial is one of the most moving sights you will ever see. The battleship, which still leaks about a gallon of fuel a day, peeks through the Pacific Ocean and whose sailors have their names engraved on a wall. It is a must see for everyone who enjoys history, the movie, or just wants to experience it. For more information about Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona memorial, visit their website.

The Unites States Navy's history is much more extensive than this. Having a history that goes back to 1775, we have evolved and transformed into one of the most powerful military branches in the world. Many people do not know that the Navy is not only "the sea." We have pilots, nurses, "groundmen," etc. I am so proud to have my eye set on being a Navy Nurse and am honored to join such a distinguished group of men and women. I cannot wait to join the group that I was born to serve, The United States Navy.

I know the Navy is the right choice for me and I cannot wait to have the honor of being called a Navy nurse. I am excited for the Navy to help me serve my country as a service"woman", enhance my career, and grow as a person...on my own two feet...



Until the next step bloggers...