240 Years: U.S. Navy

By Douglas V. Gibbs

As a veteran of the United States Navy, let me first say a belated, "Happy Birthday."  Second, let me add, "Mr. Obama, stop the reduction of the size of the Navy, you are placing America's sense of general Welfare at risk."

The 240th Birthday of the U.S. Navy was yesterday, October 13, 2015.  Unlike the Army, in the United States Constitution there is no limitation on the appropriation of funds to establish and maintain the Navy.  The Founding Fathers recognized the utmost importance of having a well-funded Navy to protect the trade routes, and defend the oceans around the United States of America.

The U.S. Navy was created in 1775 by a resolution in the Continental Congress.  In 1787, the delegates of the Constitutional Convention ensured that provisions for the funding of the Navy were articulated in Article I, Section 8 of the document.  The U.S. Navy has been a powerful presence during America's history, playing vital roles in all conflicts and operations, from the Revolutionary War, to the recent operations in the Persian Gulf.

Under the watch of President Barack Obama, as a result of cuts to military funding, the United States Navy is at its smallest since World War I.  The current fleet has 271 active vessels.  As the current naval systems age, the reduction in funding has not only reduced the number of ships and personnel, but has made it difficult, if not impossible, to replace outdated weapons systems, and platforms.

I served aboard two ships, the USS Chandler DDG-996 and the USS Peoria LST 1183.  Both ships have since been decommissioned.  Looking back, my Navy years were the best years of my life.

I was recently talking to a United States Marine Corps Veteran who had served aboard an amphib-ship, and he said to me, "It is my opinion that sailors are the hardest working members of the U.S. Military."  Unlike the other services, the U.S. Navy operates 24/7 with its personnel operating at full readiness during both wartime and peacetime.  Shipboard life is a hard life, and the best labor I have ever encountered.  They say, "It's not just a job, It's an Adventure!"  I agree whole-heartedly.

There is also an old saying.  "He who rules the seas rules the world."

Our Navy has been the strongest in the world to keep anyone from "ruling" the world, but Mr. Obama seems to be set on giving that away.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary