On December 2, 1902, in his second annual message to Congress, Theodore Roosevelt states, "A good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace." The role of the military as a whole is often times associated as a means to attack and kill enemies, when in turn our armed forces serve many other purposes. The mission statement of the United States Navy addresses the Navy’s role as being capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas. As evident in the mission statement, the primary purpose of a Navy is to not only attack and project force, but to act as a defensive force against enemy navies. In addition, a Navy provides the protection of a country’s shipping routes in the global economy. The first part of the primary purpose of a Navy is its ability to fight and win wars. As history has proven itself, the ability to control the seas is one of the most prominent factors in winning wars. The United States Navy recognizes this trend and maintains a global forward presence in hopes of …show more content…
The Navy protects the United States ability to trade and communicate at the international level. The globalization of the world requires countries to be engaged with one another as each individual nation relies on the world economy. The freedom in which international trade takes place is protected against pirates and other threats by each countries Navy. Specifically, shipping routes that allow the United States to import and export goods as needed are protected by the United States Navy. In addition to protecting the United States’ place in the world economy, a Navy holds the strategic role in securing the sea as a mode of communication. The ability to navigate the ocean freely is important as it protects our communication with our allies in a time of