103 Naval Heritage and Doctrine Fundamentals

Question 1

State the six areas of Naval Doctrine

Answer 1

Command and Control, Operations, Warfare, Logistics, Intelligence, and Planning (COWLIP)

Question 2

Discuss the conditions that led to the formation of the US Navy

Answer 2

England allowed the colonies to trade with no other countries but England itself, and then began imposing unfair tariffs (taxation without representation). A Continental Congress was formed in September 1774 to draft a list of rights to be presented to the King of England. Naturally he laughed them off, which led to the formation of a second Continental Congress in May 1775 under George Washington. Esek Hopkins was our first Commander in Chief and he ordered two frigates to be created on October 13, 1775. They were put to sea in February 1776.

Question 3

Explain how Naval Intelligence Operations, more than any other service, support peacetime operational decision making

Answer 3

Naval intelligence resources are forward deployed all around the world. Need to always have a high state of readiness and situational awareness.

Question 4

State the mission of Naval Logistics

Answer 4

To provide the fleet with continuous lines of supply

Question 5

State the importance of planning to Naval Operations

Answer 5

Presents a clear, defined focus and an objective to meet. Plus how to meet that objective

Question 6

Discuss how Naval Aviation supports Reconnaissance/Surveillance

Answer 6

Eyes and Ears of the Fleet. Naval Aviation has over-the-horizon surveillance equipment that provides vital information to our task force operation

Question 7

Discuss how Naval Aviation supports Antisubmarine Warfare

Answer 7

Protection against submarine attack. Antisubmarine

Question 8

Discuss how Naval Aviation supports Amphibious Assault

Answer 8

Aid and support operations during amphibious

Question 9

Discuss how Naval Aviation supports Logistics

Answer 9

Rapid logistic support for ground forces.

Question 10

Discuss how Naval Aviation supports SAR

Answer 10

Search and rescue operations. During sea

Question 11

Discuss how Naval Aviation supports Mine Warfare

Answer 11

Mine Towing operations with the MH-53E. Helicopters find and destroy mines, or call in EOD teams and transport them to the mines.

Question 12

Discuss the significance of May 8, 1911 as it applies to Naval Aviation

Answer 12

Birthday of Naval Aviation. Eugene Ely made the flight from the cobbled-together “aircraft carrier” to the shore, resulting in the purchase of the Navy’s very first plane.

Question 13

What was the first Navy ship named after an enlisted man?

Answer 13

The USS Osmond Ingram. Boatswain’s mate onboard the USS Cassin who tried to jettison depth charges after a torpedo struck the ship.

Question 14

State the name of the first aircraft carrier

Answer 14

Very first carrier was HMS Argus in 1918. First American carrier was the USS Langley, converted from the coal carrier USS Jupiter in 1920.

Question 15

What was the first jet powered naval aircraft?

Answer 15

FJ-1 Fury in July 1946 operated from carriers

Question 16

Who was the first naval aviator in space?

Answer 16

Alan Shepard piloted the Freedom 7 on May 5, 1961 for 15 minutes.

Question 17

Discuss the importance of the Battle of Coral Sea as it pertains to Naval History

Answer 17

It was the first naval battle fought entirely by aircraft; the ships never saw each other once.

Question 18

Discuss the importance of the Great White Fleet as it pertains to Naval History

Answer 18

Teddy Roosevelt had mediated a peace treaty between Japan and Russia. Japan felt that it did not get everything it should have deserved and relations between Japan and America became tense. Most of our fleet was stationed in the Atlantic. TR caused the construction of 11 white battlecruisers between 1904 and 1907 and sent them on a “show of power” tour around the world.

Question 19

Discuss the importance of the Battle of Normandy as it pertains to Naval History

Answer 19

First successful opposed landings in over 800 years. Amphibious landings using Navy, Marines and Army units with air and battleship support. Gained us a foothold in France which began the march to victory against Germany.

Question 20

Discuss the importance of the Battle of Midway as it pertains to Naval History

Answer 20

The Japanese became overly aggressive and angry due to the American Doolittle Raid, so they vowed to destroy America’s Naval forces in the Pacific. They tried to lure the forces to the Island of Midway, which was a supply point for the American Navy. Japan sent 4 carriers, but, fortunately for America, Admiral Chester Nimitz had received intelligence and knew of the Japanese plan well in advance, which enabled him to strategically place his three carriers to be ready for the Japanese attack. Japan lost all four carriers, while America lost only one. Midway Island was still fully operational.

Question 21

Discuss the importance of Guadalcanal as it pertains to Naval History

Answer 21

It was the first amphibious assault on Japanese-held territories during WWII. We captured Guadalcanal and gained a foothold and staging point to harass and attack Japan, while they LOST a vital staging and resupply point.

Question 22

Discuss the importance of the Battle of Leyte Gulf as it pertains to Naval History

Answer 22

America invaded the island of Leyte in October of 1944 as a result of MacArthur fulfilling his vow of “I will return.” The Philippines were vital to the Imperial Japanese Navy as a refueling point. Most of the heavy hitters of the IJN were stuck in their respective ports for the rest of the war because they simply had no fuel. This was also the first battle utilizing Japanese “kamikaze” fighters. There were fewer Japanese planes than American warships.

Question 23

Discuss the Hand Salute

Answer 23

Dating back to medieval knights who touched their visors in deference to each other, it’s a simple tradition and an easy, universally recognized way of showing respect. Enlisted personnel in militaries worldwide salute warrant and commissioned officers.

Question 24

Discuss Saluting the Ensign

Answer 24

All personnel salute uncased American flags when in uniform or during the National Anthem. It’s a tribute to our country and flag and the men and women who have fought and died for her right to wave.

Question 25

Discuss Dipping the Ensign

Answer 25

Dipping the Ensign is a way for merchant ships to show respect to military ships, and likewise, a way for military ships to show respect to superior ships. It consists of dipping the flag to half mast, waiting for the superior ship to dip and haul colors, then resuming full mast. Naval vessels NEVER salute merchant ships first.

Question 26

Discuss the importance of the Gun Salute

Answer 26

Back in what historians like to call “the day,” it could take as long as 20 minutes for a crew to reload a gun. When a ship fired her guns before it met another ship, it was essentially the ultimate way to show deference. The ship would be rendered utterly helpless for some period of time. Nowadays the tradition continues. President and heads of foreign States: 21 guns.