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

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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.

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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.

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services 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

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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.

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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:

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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.

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

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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.

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s 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.

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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.

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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.

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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.

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

“Protecting the Sea Lanes & America’s Commerce” 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