Introducing the Navy League “Protecting the Sea Lanes and America’s Commerce” August 1, 2010

Introducing the Navy League“Protecting the Sea Lanes and America’s Commerce”August 1, 2010

Supporting Sea Services of the United StatesUnited States NavyUnited States Marine CorpsUnited States Coast GuardU. S. Flag Merchant Marine

About the Navy League • 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.

The Navy League’s mission and goals are: • We 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 • We support the men and women of the sea services and their families • We foster the education and development of our youth through the Naval Sea Cadet Corps and junior ROTC programs

Atlanta Metropolitan Council Key activities of our 330 members include: • Adoption of two ships & four local Navy units • Sponsor seven Naval Sea Cadet Corps units • Support 45 Navy and Marine Corps junior ROTC units • Provide Grassroots legislative affairs briefings for members of congress • Provide public education presentations on matters of importance to our maritime nation

Summary in Theodore Roosevelt’s Words “It seems to me that all good Americans interested in the growth of their country and sensitive to its honor, should give hearty support to the policies which the Navy League is founded to further. For the building and maintaining in proper shape of the American Navy, we must rely on nothing but the broad and farsighted patriotism of our people as a whole.” -- Theodore Roosevelt.

The Declining U.S. Naval Fleet —A Key National Concern The U.S. Navy has approximately the same number of ships today as before World War I

The Declining U.S. Naval Fleet —A Key National Concern • The serious decline that began in the 1990s, continues today due to insufficient funding:

Consider: • Global trade is critical to America’s economic well being - 95% 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.

Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, have stated that 313 shipsis the minimum number required to meet America’s global security needs.

“The proposed 313 ship Navy must be considered a floor” Senator Jim Webb (D, Virginia) Member, Senate Armed Services Committee “A future fleet of at least 313 ships will be required” Senator John McCain (R, Arizona) Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee

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

Recent budgets have been set too low to maintain the fleet size needed to protect America’s national security interests and global 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.

America’s security and economic interests extend to every region of the globe

The proposed FY2011 shipbuilding budget will result in the construction of eight 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.

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.

In Closing The Navy League is working to increase funding for shipbuilding 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 Having a strong Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and Marine Corps affects our national economic security and your personal well being.

Thank you for your attention. Q&A

Don GilesCaptain, U.S. Navy (Retired)National DirectorNavy League of the United StatesAtlanta Metropolitan CouncilSouth Atlantic Coast Region VP Legislative Affairs770-509-3772 dongiles@mindspeed.comhttp://atlanta.navyleague.us/index.cfmhttp://www.navyleague.org/

Introducing the Navy League “Protecting the Sea Lanes and America’s Commerce” August 1, 2010