20-1CHAPTER 20SEA POWERThe United States is in a position of worldleadership. Maintaining that position is a never-endingtask that becomes harder with each crucial worldsituation. The Navy has a vital role in protecting worldfreedom. We can only maintain this freedom through aNavy that has total dedication to that end. You are animportant link in our Navy’s commitment to freedom.In the Navy, we, like our forefathers, must makemany sacrifices to maintain our goals. That often meansbeing away from our homes for long periods, standinglong watches, or doing arduous work. The result isfulfilling the goal of keeping the world free.As you study for advancement to petty officer, youshould begin to realize your importance to the overallmission of the Navy. Advancement will be just one ofthe rewards you will receive for dedication and sacrifice.UNITED STATES SEA POWERLearning Objectives: When you finish this chapter, youwill be able to—Recognize the importance of sea power inrelation to today’s world.Identify the operational components of the U.S.Navy sea power.Sea power as a concept means more than militarypower at sea. Sea power describes a nation’s ability toprotect its political, economic, and military intereststhrough control of the sea. The principal parts of seapower are naval power, ocean science, ocean industry,and ocean commerce.Sea power encompasses commercial rivalries inpeacetime, diplomatic maneuvering and the clash offleets in wartime. The concept of sea power has beenvalid whether the fleets were wooden men-of-war ormighty battleships. It remains sound today, althoughtechnology has caused ship-to-ship battles to becomepart of history instead of part of contemporary tactics.Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, USN, was the firstperson to use the term sea power. He used it in hisprincipal work, The Influence of Sea Power UponHistory, 1660-1783,published in 1890. Mahanproposed that there were six conditions required for anation to have sea power:1. An advantageous geographical position2. Serviceable coastlines, abundant naturalresources, and a favorable climate3. Extent of territory4. A population large enough to defend its territory5. A society with an aptitude for the sea andcommercial enterprise6. A government with the influence to dominatethe sea.In the decades immediately following the Civil War,the primary role of the U.S. Navy was as coastaldefender and commerce raider. The United States didnot exercise sea power, but believed in the concept ofnational isolation. In effect, the nation stressed navalexpansion within its own country. By 1890, however,the nation began naval expansion toward othercountries; its concept of national isolation began to ebb.Those groups in the Navy and in the governmentwho believed in sea power endorsed Mahan’s doctrine.They based their endorsement on the belief that historyprovides clues to achieving maritime supremacy.Mahan’s concept, therefore, became the intellectualforce behind the United States’ development of its Navyinto a sea power.During World War II the emerging effects ofaircraft, aircraft carriers, and radar meant we foughtfewer battles with ships within sight of each other. Inmodern naval tactics, we employ gunfire for protectionControl of the seas means security. Control of the seas meanspeace. Control of the seas can mean victory. The United Statesmust control the sea if it is to protect our security.—John F. Kennedy
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