19 Things Americans Don’t Know About the Navy

Maybe you already know the U.S. Navy is the largest navy in the world. You might also be aware that it celebrates its birthday on October 13 every year.

Still, the Navy is over 200 years old. It’s had a lot of time to build up legends, lore, and customs. So, even if you call yourself a Navy expert, there are probably a few facts you don’t know.

You might not be surprised by every piece of trivia on this list, but we’re guessing at least one or two tidbits are new to you. From its contested city of origin to its trained dolphin team, here are 19 things you probably don’t know about the Navy.

1: The Navy’s Birthplace Mystery

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The Navy doesn’t acknowledge an official birthplace. However, five U.S. cities claim the title. Beverly, Massachusetts; Marblehead, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Whitehall, New York; and Providence, Rhode Island, all say they set the background for the Navy’s origin.

If you’re going to give credit to anyone, it might be Rhode Island. In 1775, the colony of Rhode Island sent delegates to the constitutional convention in Philadelphia requesting the formation of a navy. However, it took 25 years for the Navy to become a formal institution, and even then, there was a long and bumpy road to where it is today.

2: Submariners Volunteer

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Serving on a submarine is no easy task. Submariners spend months underwater in tight quarters, and it’s not something everyone can handle.

Because of the job requirements, the Navy doesn’t assign submarine positions. You have to volunteer to become a submariner.

3: Female Relatives Christen Ships

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Naming a naval ship is a fascinating process. The job of naming ships belongs to the US Secretary of the Navy, who typically chooses from an approved list that the Chief of Naval Operations signs and recommends.

If the ship is named after an individual, the oldest female descendant of that individual must christen the ship. The ship is also prefixed with USS, which stands for United States Ship.

4: Bill the Goat

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Bill the Goat is the U.S. Naval Academy mascot. If a land-loving animal seems like a strange choice for a naval representative, it is. So, of course, there’s a story behind it.

Legend has it a Navy ship was carrying a goat that the crew fell in love with. The goat died, but the crew saved its skin, planning to have it mounted in the goat’s memory upon their return to port.

When they reached land, a few crew members were supposed to take the goat’s skin to a taxidermist for mounting, but they were distracted by a Navy football game and stopped to watch. During halftime, one excited crew member threw the skin on his back and began to romp around the stands, delighting the crowds. When the Navy won the game, they credited it to the lucky goat skin, and the school’s mascot was born.

5: Originally Dissolved

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The original Navy was established before America proclaimed independence, but it didn’t last. After the Revolutionary War, it was disbanded.

Before long, though, piracy became an issue for American traders. President Jefferson reestablished the U.S. Navy to confront the Barbary pirates, keeping trade routes open for U.S. merchants.

6: Navy Beats Army

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The first Army-Navy football game was on November 29, 1980. The Navy team annihilated the Army 24-0.

However, the next year, the Army came back ready to fight. They beat the Navy team 32-16, and a rivalry that continues to this day was established.

7: Origin of The Blue Angels

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In 1946, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Chester Nimitz, wanted to increase public interest in Naval aviation and boost overall morale. To accomplish these feats, he formed an exhibition aviation team and dubbed them The Blue Angels.

Throughout the rest of the 1940s, The Blue Angels stunned onlookers with incredible choreographed feats that stretched across the sky. Today, they continue to sell out shows, surprise fans, and showcase unique aviation stunts.

8: They Train Dolphins

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You know about drug-sniffing police dogs, and maybe you’ve even heard of narcotic-detecting pigs, but what about bomb-smelling dolphins? It’s true; the Naval Marine Mammal Program trains bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions to sniff out underwater threats.

The program has been online since 1959 and tested more than a dozen marine species, including sharks and rays, before narrowing in on dolphins and sea lions. Today, these talented mammals can detect sonar and underwater mines. They can also recover lost objects at depths too risky for humans to dive.

9: Tare Victor George

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Saying “Tare Victor George” is code for well done. Officials began issuing the coded form of praise to soldiers during World War II.

After World War II, NATO standardized communications, and the code changed. Today, Bravo Zulu is the coded way of saying well done to a member of the sea services, including Marines, Coast Guard, and Navy members.

10: There Are Many Gun Salutes

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Many people are familiar with and may have even witnessed a 21-gun salute, though many who think they’ve seen one haven’t. This international sign of honor is often confused with the three-volley salute seen at many funerals.

In reality, the 21-gun salute is rare and reserved for President’s Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day, and to honor the president or heads of foreign states. The Navy may fire other gun salutes to honor senior officers, including a 17-gun salute for admirals and a 15-gun salute for vice admirals.

11: Fouled Anchors

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An anchor is fouled when its line is wrapped around its shank and fluke arms. At that point, it is no longer suitable for service. Fouled anchors are typically retired and displayed as decoration in Naval facilities.

They’ve also taken on symbolic meaning. If you see them depicted as a tattoo, they represent a tour across the Atlantic. You might also spot them on chief petty officers’ rank insignia.

12: All About Tattoos

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The Navy is the least restrictive military branch when it comes to tattoos. The long-standing history of tattooing yourself to signify your time in service is alive and well. And different symbols have different meanings.

For example, a tattoo of a swallow denotes traveling 5,000 miles away from home by sea. A rose symbolizes a loved one left at home. And a polar bear means you’ve sailed the Arctic Circle.

13: Mind Your Ps and Qs

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You may have been told to “mind your Ps and Qs” at some point, but did you ever wonder what it means? The term actually comes from the Navy. It was a warning for sailors to be on their best behavior.

There was a time when barkeeps kept paper tabs and recorded drinks by writing “P” for a pint and “Q” for a quart. Minding your Ps and Qs meant that you would both dutifully pay off any tab you accumulated and keep track of how many drinks you consumed so as not to become belligerent.

14: In the Civil War

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When you think of the Civil War, you probably don’t think about the Navy. After all, it was fought on American soil, not across a distant sea.

However, the Navy grew 600% during the Civil War to accommodate the Union’s need for a Confederate blockade. The Navy also helped the Union advance into the South via the Mississippi River.

15: Tossing Your Cover Under a Bridge

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Coming into port can be an emotional event for sailors. In those moments, many are deciding whether they will stay in the Navy or retire. For those who can’t decide, there’s always old Navy superstition to rely upon.

According to Navy lore, if you toss your cover (aka hat) as you cross under a bridge leading to port, it can tell you whether you should stay in the Navy or not. If your cover floats, the sea is inviting you to stay. If it sinks, you’ve worn out your welcome and should get out of the Navy.

16: The Incredible War of 1812

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In the War of 1812, the U.S. Navy began with only 16 seafaring ships. Meanwhile, the British had more than 600 at their disposal.

Despite poor odds, the U.S. Navy managed to beat the British. According to History.com, the win was largely thanks to African American sailors and the Navy’s ability to seize control of inland waters, including Lake Erie and Lake Champlain.

17: Poorly Fighting Slavery

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In 1842, the U.S. and Britain banded together to end the slave trade out of Africa. The Navy set up a permanent squadron off Africa’s coast to stop ships involved in the illegal custom.

Unfortunately, after two decades of work, the Navy had only captured 36 vessels. British ships, on the other hand, captured several hundred.

18: Six Presidents During WWII

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Before WWII, no U.S. President served in the Navy. After WWII, Navy service was practically a pre-requisite to reach the White House.

John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush were all Navy men. Interestingly, the only president from 1961 to 1993 who didn’t serve in the Navy was Ronald Reagan.

19: The Largest Naval Battle Ever Fought

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The largest naval battle ever fought by tonnage was the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the U.S. Navy won it. The U.S. fought this WWII battle with Japan off the coast of Leyte, an island in the Philippines.

A multitude of carriers, destroyers, planes, and submarines matched up on either side. Ultimately, though, the U.S. Navy beat back the Japanese ships, giving them control of the Pacific Ocean for the remainder of the war.

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