CHAPTER 1
NAVAL TRADITION
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Learning objectives are stated at the beginning of each chapter. These learning
objectives serve as a preview of the information you are expected to learn
in the chapter. By successfully completing the nonresident training course
(NRTC), you indicate you have met the objectives and have learned the
information. The learning objectives for chapter 1 are listed below.
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to do the following:
1. Identify the challenges to United States sea
5. Recognize the purpose and importance of arms
power.
control in maintaining a balance of power
between the United States and the Union of
2. Describe the mission of the U.S. Navy in
Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.).
peacetime and wartime.
3. Describe the importance of naval presence, sea
6. Compare the naval forces of the United States
control, and power projection in carrying out
and the U.S.S.R.
the Navy’s mission.
4. Recognize the various theaters of operations
7. Describe the cause and effect of chemical war-
for U.S. naval forces.
fare in the Middle East.
Today the two major military superpowers in
the world are the United States of America and
the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.).
Both countries have large navies. They use their
navies to meet the national interest and political
goals of their countries. This chapter will provide
an overview of the U.S. and Soviet navies and the
Third World countries having an impact on world
stability.
CHALLENGES TO U.S. SEA POWER
The naval affairs of the United States began
with the war for independence, the American
Revolution. On 13 October 1775 Congress passed
legislation to purchase and arm two ships. This
legislation created, in effect, the Continental
navy. Congress authorized two battalions of
Marines on 10 November 1775. From these
humble beginnings we have become a force of
over 500,000 personnel and 500 ships capable of
global power projection on a moment’s notice.
NAVAL PRESENCE
Almost every U.S. sailor has experienced some
type of major deployment. In the past several
years, most deployments have been to areas of
the world in which hostilities were in progress.
Naval presence, by simple definition, is having a
naval force in a specific location. We have been
called on countless times in the past years to
“show the flag.” Deployments place naval forces
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