Navy League of the United States

1. Navy League of the United States “Protecting the Sea Lanes and America’s Commerce” 2012 Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

2. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” Supporting Sea Services of the United States United States NavyUnited States Marine CorpsUnited States Coast GuardU. S. Flag Merchant Marine Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

3. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” The Navy League is a community service organization, like yours, with over 50,000 members worldwide, and 250 councils (chapters) conducting activities in local communities. Theodore Roosevelt promoted the founding of the Navy League in 1902, which was supported by the civilian and business communities – the condition that continues today. Everyone in this room is eligible to be a member. Prior military service is not required. We are all civilians. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

4. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” Mission and Goals • Educate the men and women in our local communities, our community leaders and elected officials about the importance of our maritime forces to defend the United States and to protect global trade and our local economies • Support the men and women of the sea services and their families • Foster the education and development of our youth through the Naval Sea Cadet Corps and junior ROTC programs. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

5. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” United States Navy USS Alaska (SSBN-732) Kings Bay, GA, approx 300 crew Blue + Gold USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) Mayport, FL, approx 220 crew United States Marine Corps USMC Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS-31) Marine Corp Air Station, Beaufort, SC, approx 200 Marines United States Coast Guard USCG Air Station Savannah, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA USCG Marine Safety Unit Savannah, Savannah, GA USCG Station Tybee, Tybee Island, GA USCG Aids to Navigation Team, Tybee Island, GA USCGC Tarpon, Tybee Island, GA Naval Sea Cadet Corp Savannah Squadron, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA NJROTC Johnson High School, Savannah, GA Jenkins High School, Savannah, GA South Effingham High School, Pooler, GA NROTC - Savannah State NROTC, Savannah, GA Savannah Council’s Adopted Units Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

6. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” Navy League of the United StatesandPresident Theodore Roosevelt • President Theodore Roosevelt supported the founding of the Navy League of the United States in 1902. • His support came from a desire to build a Navy fleet to protect international commerce over the oceans of the world. • As Teddy Roosevelt envisioned we are civilians educating civilians about our national and economic security via the need of our maritime nation. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

7. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” Today’s Leading Concern -The Declining U.S. Naval Fleet The U.S. Navy has approximately the same number of ships today as before World War I Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

8. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” Today’s Leading Concern -The Declining U.S. Naval Fleet The serious decline that began in the 1990s, continues today due to insufficient funding: Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

9. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” Global Force for Good • On the water, under the water and over the water • Meeting threats and providing assistance • Reducing energy consumption • Achieving energy independence There are other concerns… Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

10. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” Global trade is critical to America’s economic well being - 90% of world-wide trade is now transported by sea The deterrent value of a strong Navy and the need to protect the commercial sea lanes and our maritime borders are necessary for our nation’s continued vitality and strength. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

11. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, has endorsed the need: “313 ships is the minimum number required to meet America’s global security needs.” Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

12. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” • Bipartisan experts agree America’s global interests are best served by a US Naval fleet with capabilities for: • Prevention of conflicts • Being available for action anywhere • in the world, including • humanitarian relief • Ensuring global shipping has free and • open access to the oceans of the world Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

13. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” Recent budgets have been set too low to maintain the fleet size needed to protect America’s national security interests and global commerce. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

14. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” • From the late 1990s through FY 2010, Navy shipbuilding appropriations permitted the construction of an average of 6-8 new ships per year when we need to build 11 ships per year. • The decline in shipbuilding also negatively impacts our national shipbuilding capability, a critical national security component. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

15. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” America’s security and economic interests extend to every region of the globe Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

16. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” • The proposed FY2011 shipbuilding budget will result in the procurement of nine ships, when it should be supporting eleven. • Due to lengthy construction times, it will realistically take several years to return our fleet size to the numbers needed … …. We must act now to reverse the trend or face shipyard layoffs or potential closings. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

17. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” • The Congressional Budget Office and the Congressional Research Service have estimated that the shipbuilding budget will need to average $25 to $27 billion (in 2010 dollars) to achieve the 313 ship fleet. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

18. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” In Closing The Navy League is working to increase funding for shipbuilding, maintenance and other maritime service priorities by educating the men and women like you to the importance of keeping our Navy strong and the sea lanes open to Insure commerce and job stability. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

19. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” The Navy League strongly believes that America’s sea services are the greatest force for our country's safety and peace in the world. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

20. “Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” SUPPORT & SERVE the United States Volunteer, Donate, Join Us Thank you for your attention. Q&A Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

21. Navy League of the United States <presenter name> <title> <council name> <presenter email address> <presenter phone number> <council website address> Citizens in Support of the Sea Services