Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services Introducing the Navy League “Protecting the Sea Lanes and America’s Commerce” April 10, 2011

Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services Supporting Sea Services of the United States United States Navy United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard U. S. Flag Merchant Marine

Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services 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 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 United States Navy USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) (3,500 Sailors + 2,000 Air Wing) USS Stockdale (DDG 106) (285 Sailors) Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 (NMCB3) 630 Seabees: Port Hueneme while deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113 (VAW113) (180 sailors) -Point Mugu San Nicolas Island (80 sailors) Naval Base Ventura County (8,400 sailors and marines) USN Blue Angels, USNS Mercy, USN USS Gary $ Morale Welfare Recreation donations United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard – USCGC BLACKFIN & Marine Safety Detachment United States Flag Merchant Marines United States Air Force – Vandenberg AFB United States Army – University of CA Santa Barbara Army ROTC Naval Sea Cadet Corp – AIRPAC Squadron Santa Barbara Council - Outstanding Large Council 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services Navy League of the United States and President Theodore Roosevelt President Theodore Roosevelt supported the founding of the Navy League of the United States in 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 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 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 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… Global Force for Good

Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services 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 Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, & Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, have stated that “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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 The Navy League believes having a strong Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and Marine Corps affects our national economic security and your personal well being.

Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services 2011 Navy Weeks

Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services 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 Doug Crawford Special Assistant to the President Navy League of the United States Santa Barbara Council