Contents 1. The Modern Navy The Navy has a presence in every part of the globe, offering the United States a strike force that can attack enemies and support allies where needed. The Navy is also heavily involved in delivering humanitarian aid to the world's poor and troubled places. 2. Origins to World War I Beginning as a tiny force during the War of Independence, the Navy established itself as a professional force with actions against North African Barbary pirates and the War of 1812, where the infant navy drove British forces from Lake Erie. The Navy played a significant role in the Civil War, where Federal forces blockaded southern ports. 3. World War II In the 1930s, the Navy grew to a size that matched any in the world.

Despite losses at Pearl Harbor, by the end of the war the US Navy had 18 aircraft carriers and eight battleships, as well as over 70 per cent of the world's total numbers and total tonnage of vessels of 1,000 tons or greater. 4. From Korea to the Balkans During the Cold War the Navy consolidated its position as the world's largest and most powerful navy, and supported American deployments in Korea, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, and much later the Persian Gulf War (1990-91). The Navy's fleet of nuclear submarines became key in guaranteeing the peace and facing down the Communist threat from the Soviet Union. 5. Navy Training Navy Boot Camp is held at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (RTC Great Lakes), north of Chicago, Illinois. It is the only enlisted basic training location for the Navy since 1999. Later, recruits specialize, depending on the wide range of roles open to Navy personnel, which can be anything from Navy pilot to gunner to nuclear technician.

6. Navy Weapons Today, the Navy deploys military hardware of a quality and quantity unmatched by other navies. This includes the USS Nimitz-class and USS Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers capable of deploying 120 state-of-the-art aircraft, such as the F-35 Lightning II, and F/A-18E Super Hornets; America-class amphibious assault ships; Los Angeles-class attack submarines and Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines; plus numerous destroyers, frigates and coastal ships. 7. Operations in the 21st Century In the 21st century, the Navy was involved in deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) and the war on terror, and remains the principle means by which the United States supports and maintains the international global order. In recent years the US Navy has relied more heavily on international partnerships in order to promote American interests in the world.