Why are Naval ships being named after politicians and not the traditional naval naming convention used for Navy ships?

2016-04-14T16:19:34-04:00

As the Obama administration this week named another warship after a politician, a report circulating in Congress shows that nearly 200 Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients have never been awarded such an honor, contrary to naval guidelines and tradition. Is this the new trend? The latest ship, a missile destroyer the USS Carl M. Levin.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/12/politics/uss-carl-levin-navy-destroyer/index.html

Navy destroyer to be named after Carl Levin

The U.S. Navy's next Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer will bear the name of a former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Monday.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Apr 14 at 2016 4:24 PM

2016-04-14T16:24:38-04:00

Do you really have to ask? Those bastards are always looking for fame and glory anyway they can get it!

Response by Alan K. made Apr 14 at 2016 4:32 PM

2016-04-14T16:32:25-04:00

Probably more of a Foxtrot Uniform as this sadministration follows along this pattern all too often in everything they do........Just an FYI, that was a typo above and I said hmmmmm. Then left it!

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Apr 14 at 2016 4:38 PM

2016-04-14T16:38:43-04:00

Obvious answer is they are trying to pander to the egos of politicians that control the purse strings.

Our ship naming tradition is out the window anyways.

How it should be IMO:
Name Carriers after famous battles.
Name SSBNs after states (since we aren't getting any more Battleships)
Name Cruisers after cities
Name SSNs after fish
Name Destroyers after Admirals
Name Frigates/Corvettes (LCS) after MoH recipients or other famous/heroic sailors & marines.
Name Supply ships after (dead) Presidents.

Exceptions of course for cases like USS Jimmy Carter (since Carter was a Submariner) and USS George H.W. Bush (since he was a Naval Aviator) but Presidents should still wait till they pass away till we name a ship after them.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Apr 14 at 2016 5:05 PM

2016-04-14T17:05:12-04:00

Why do we need to give a politician an ego boost? I am sure that Mr. Levin did some good while he was in Congress, but let him retire and go home and rest. There are far more worthy people (as the aforementioned 200 Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients) that should be honored, other than this political hack.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 14 at 2016 5:14 PM

2016-04-14T17:14:20-04:00

I just threw up a little.

There is a small number of politicians who deserve to have a tombstone named after them, never mind a warship.
Washingtron, yes. Teddy Roosevelt, yes. Grant, Yes. Eisenhower, yes. Even George Bush Senior I can understand as he was a Navy Veteran. As a side note, "Eisenhower was offered the Medal of Honor for his leadership in the European Theater but refused it, saying that it should be reserved for bravery and valor." Beyond the aforementioned, ships should be named for heroes, not politicians.

What's next selling the naming rights for ships like they do stadiums? It is the McDonald's Battle Group with the USS Dr. Pepper, USS Golden Corral, USS Coke, and USS McDonald's. Oh, the pride that would instill in the crews.

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dwight_D._Eisenhower

http://burnpit.us/2013/01/teddy-roosevelt-awarded-medal-honor-103-years-after-san-juan-hill

Dwight D. Eisenhower - New World Encyclopedia

Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was the highest ranking American military officer during World War II and the 34th President of the United States. During the war he served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe with the rank of General of the Army, and in 1949 he became the first supreme commander of NATO.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 14 at 2016 5:27 PM

2016-04-14T17:27:12-04:00

When you have no consideration for Naval History and are a rank politician, it's easy. Mabus meets all those criteria. He is well within his rights to name ships as he sees fit.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Apr 14 at 2016 5:29 PM

2016-04-14T17:29:44-04:00

The question has been asked by Duncan Hunter; ought to know in a while.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense-news/2016/04/13/navy-ship-names-hunter-mabus-levin/82984096/

Hunter Objects To US Navy Ship Named For Carl Levin

Hunter again charges Navy Secretary Mabus with "politicizing" the ship-naming process.

Response by CPO Frank Coluccio made Apr 14 at 2016 5:42 PM

2016-04-14T17:42:12-04:00

From Wikipedia here is both the Traditional and Contemporary naming conventions:

Traditional conventions
Battleships (BB), by law, were named for states, except for USS Kearsarge (BB-5).
Battlecruisers (CC) under the 1916 program were to receive names of battles or famous ships. When cancelled under the Washington Naval Treaty, two were converted to aircraft carriers (CV), and this became the standard for them, with the exception of USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42), USS Wright (CVL-49), USS Forrestal (CVA-59), and USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63); some had names evoking flight (e.g., Wasp, Hornet).
"Battlecruisers" or Large Cruisers (CB) under the 1940 program were named for United States Territories.
Cruisers, both light and heavy (CL and CA), were named for cities in the United States and Territories, with the exception of USS Canberra (CA-70). After the first nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser, USS Long Beach (CGN-9),[3] CGN's of the California and Virginia classes were named for states. (USS Bainbridge and USS Truxtun were commissioned as frigates).
Destroyers (DD) and destroyer escorts (DE) were named for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard heroes. Destroyer Leaders (DL) were likewise named after naval heroes; these were reclassified as cruisers or destroyers in 1975.
Frigates (FF), formerly ocean escorts, were also named for naval heroes.
Submarines (SS and SSN) were either given a class letter and number, as in S-class submarines, or the names of fish and marine mammals.
Oilers (AO and AOR) were named for rivers with Native American names, and colliers named for mythical figures.
Fast combat support ships (AOE) were named after US cities.
Ammunition ships (AE) were named either after volcanoes (e.g. Mauna Loa) or words relating to fire and explosions (e.g. Nitro and Pyro).
Combat stores ships (AK, AF, and AFS) were named after stars and other heavenly bodies.
Minesweepers (MS) were named for birds, or after "positive traits," e.g. Admirable and Dextrous.
Hospital ships (AH) were given names related to their function, such as Comfort and Mercy.
Fleet tugs (AT) and harbor tugs (YT) were named after American Indian tribes.
The first forty-one nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) (called "boomers") were named after historical statesmen considered "Great Americans."

Contemporary ship naming conventions
Aircraft carriers (CV and CVN), have a history various legacy names, mostly battles, until 1968, with the commissioning of USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). Since then, carriers have been named for American presidents, with the exception of; USS Nimitz (CVN-68), lead ship of her class, named for Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander of all U.S. and Allied naval forces in the Pacific theatre during World War II. USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), named for a former Congressman, Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee, Chairman of the successor United States House Committee on Armed Services, a strong supporter of the Navy through the "Vinson Acts" who became known as "The Father of the Two-Ocean Navy". USS John C. Stennis, named for a former United States Senator, President pro tempore of the Senate, Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services, and a strong supporter of the navy, who became known as "Father of America's modern navy". USS Enterprise, there is also a continuing exception for this name, first used in 1775, eight ships have carries the name, three of them aircraft carriers (see CV-6 , CVN-65 and CVN-80).
Amphibious assault ships (LPH, LHA, and LHD) are named after early American sailing ships, U.S. Marine Corps battles, or legacy names of earlier carriers from World War II.
Amphibious command ships (LCC) are named for geographical areas within the U.S. (eg: mountain/ mountain range)
Amphibious transport docks (LPD) are named after U.S. cities, with the exception of; USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26), named for a former U.S. Marine Corps Officer, Vietnam veteran, former Congressman and chairman of the United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), named after Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.
Ballistic missile submarines (SSBN and SSGN) are named after states, except for USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730), named for a former U.S. Senator and strong supporter of the military.
Cruisers (CG) are named after battles, with the exception of USS Thomas S. Gates (CG-51), a Ticonderoga-class cruiser named for a former Secretary of Defense.
Destroyers (DDG) names are dependent on class;
Arleigh Burke class - a class with a planned 76 ships that has retained the traditional naming convention of U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard heroes, with the exceptions of; USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) named for the renowned Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II,
USS Paul Ignatius (DDG-117), named for a former Secretary of the Navy and
USS Delbert Black (DDG-119), named for the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.
USS Carl M. Levin (DDG-120), named for a former U.S. Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
Zumwalt class - (only 3 ships in class); Lead ship USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), named for the youngest Admiral to serve as Chief of Naval Operations, and who played a significant role during the Vietnam War,
2nd ship USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), named for a former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient killed in action during the Iraq War,
3rd ship USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002), named for a former U.S. president and U.S. Naval officer who was awarded the Silver Star during World War II.
Dock landing ships (LSD) are named after cities or important places in U.S. and U.S. Naval history.
Dry cargo ships (T-AKE) are named for American explorers, pioneers, activists and U.S. Naval officers.
Fast attack submarines (SSN) names are dependent on class;
Los Angeles class - named after cities, with the exception of USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709), named for an Admiral who was a pioneer of the nuclear Navy.
Seawolf class - (only 3 boats in class); Lead boat USS Seawolf (SSN-21), named for the Atlantic wolffish, and the fourth submarine to carry the name,
2nd boat USS Connecticut (SSN-22) named for a U.S. state,
3rd boat USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23), named for a former U.S. president, and Naval officer who had served aboard a nuclear submarine.
Virginia class, named after U.S. states, with the exception of; USS John Warner (SSN-785), named for a former Secretary of the Navy, U.S. Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795), named for an Admiral and pioneer of the nuclear Navy. This is the second boat to carry the name (see SSN-709).
Fast combat support ships (AOE) are named for distinguished supply ships of the past.
Frigates (FFG) retain their traditional naming conventions after U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard heroes.
Littoral combat ships (LCS) are named for regionally-important U.S. cities and communities.[4] Exceptions are the lead ships of the first two classes for this type; USS Freedom (LCS-1), lead ship of her class, named for the concept of freedom and,
USS Independence (LCS-2), lead ship of her class, named for the concept of independence. Another exception among the Independence-class is;
USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10), named for a former Congresswoman, member of the United States House Committee on Armed Services and survivor of an assassination attempt.
Mine countermeasures ships (MCM) have mostly legacy names of previous U.S. Navy ships, especially WWII-era minesweepers.
Patrol boats (PC) have names based on weather phenomena.
Replenishment oilers (T-AO) were named for shipbuilders and marine and aeronautical engineers, but have returned to the older convention of river names.

Response by CPO Frank Coluccio made Apr 14 at 2016 5:49 PM

2016-04-14T17:49:30-04:00

Here is actually a better link to the naming conventions of US Navy ship, traditional/contemporary.

http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/names.htm

Naming Ships - Navy Ships

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2016 6:10 PM

2016-04-14T18:10:12-04:00

I think it's SHIT, and Ray Mabus should be tarred and feathered and run out of D.C. This man is doing all he can to destroy the traditions and morale of the Navy and Corps. There is not room to list all the crap he has done to the Navy and Corps as its secretary under Obama.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Apr 14 at 2016 6:56 PM

2016-04-14T18:56:12-04:00

Being as how I was not in the Navy did my bit as enlisted Army I think it's a damn shame they would name ships after politicians and not honorable and heroic Medal of Honor recipients and as we all know politicians are neither honorable or heroic,why does the name Kerry come to mind?yes I am aware John Kerry was a Naval officer but he's a politician now

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2016 7:02 PM

2016-04-14T19:02:29-04:00

Why I think they should be named after Medal of Honor Recipients.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Apr 14 at 2016 7:50 PM

2016-04-14T19:50:16-04:00

Never, never, never, NEVER memorialize a living person! It's too easy for it to become an embarrassment.

Response by MAJ Joseph Parker made Apr 14 at 2016 8:03 PM

2016-04-14T20:03:11-04:00

It's all political, of course. I like PO3 Steven Sherrill's idea of selling naming rights to the naval vessels. It will help give us taxpayers a break! Maybe only people like Mr. Trump can afford the naming rights to a whole combat vessel or Mrs. Clinton to a garbage scow; but those of us with lesser means can sponsor a weapons system, sonar, head (that's a latrine for the Army, and a "potty" for the Air Force), or even just a porthole (the SPC David Stephenson Memorial Aft Deck Porthole. No Spitting). Hey! The USS Rally Point AGER-5.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Apr 14 at 2016 8:51 PM

2016-04-14T20:51:04-04:00

Corruption.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 14 at 2016 9:01 PM

2016-04-14T21:01:32-04:00

I'm sure the Navy will be happy to name a ship after a MoH recipient as soon as he produces funding for its building

Response by Gene Craig made Apr 14 at 2016 10:18 PM

2016-04-14T22:18:26-04:00

The USS Portland was built in Mississippi but will be coming to Portland, Or. for the traditional ceremonies in response to Mississippi's new discrimination laws.

Response by SGT Jonathon Caldwell made Apr 14 at 2016 10:48 PM

2016-04-14T22:48:43-04:00

http://m.military.com/daily-news/2016/04/14/congressman-questions-decision-to-name-destroyer-after-senator.html

I can't believe he has done it 7 times since taking over as Sec of the Navy!

Congressman Questions Decision to Name Destroyer after Senator

A member of the HASC is asking why the next Arleigh-Burke class destroyer will be named for a politician instead of a war hero.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2016 12:09 AM

2016-04-15T00:09:13-04:00

Ships should be named after presidents who served not senators who never did and who hate the US Military.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2016 1:04 AM

2016-04-15T01:04:53-04:00

This guy is still alive! Ego boost! eject, eject, eject!!

Response by PO1 Gene Barfield made Apr 15 at 2016 2:35 AM

2016-04-15T02:35:45-04:00

It isn't the tradition the Navy is in a big hurry to brag about, but it is as traditional to name ships after politicians as it is to name them in any other way. Going back to the very beginning, when ships were named after Washington and Adams, the Navy has always courted political and public favor by naming ships for politicians who were particular supporters of naval affairs. That's the specific reason the USS John C. Stennis got its name, as well as a host of other currently active vessels. The Stennis is a Nimitz-class carrier, all of which except the lead ship in the class (USS Nimitz) were supposed to be named for presidents. Stennis was chair of the House Armed Services Committee for ages. He even got a pork-barrel Naval Air Station named for himself - the John C. Stennis Center/NAS Meridian MS.

There's nothing new about this 'tradition' at all. It's as old as the Navy itself.

PS: BTW, the profile pic of me you see here on this post? It was taken in the HQ building at Stennis Center/NAS Meridian.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Apr 15 at 2016 4:12 AM

2016-04-15T04:12:14-04:00

Cp Roberts is the only base in the Army named after an Enlisted Man - MOH WWI (tanker)

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2016 6:57 AM

2016-04-15T06:57:00-04:00

... ... Is politic ... ...

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Apr 16 at 2016 8:22 AM

2016-04-16T08:22:03-04:00

SPC It like Obama is sending a message to other nations. See we name our ships after liberals in place of heros'. It is also another way Obama can disrespect the military

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Apr 17 at 2016 9:33 PM

2016-04-17T21:33:51-04:00

If they are going to name it after a politician at least they should pick one who actually served his country instead of a liberal scumbag who not only never served but spent his career trying to gut the military.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2016 12:39 AM

2016-04-18T00:39:13-04:00

Give the politicians more time in the spotlight to hopefully ensure their crowning achievements are noticed by the electorate and to stop further erosion of that deplorable approval rating.

Response by PO1 Cameron Rhyne made Apr 18 at 2016 9:48 AM

2016-04-18T09:48:30-04:00

This isn't new, honestly. Two in-service Aircraft Carriers are named after Senators and a third is named after an Admiral, while the rest are named after Presidents(all in the Nimitz class). Frankly, I just wish the Navy would pick a naming convention and stick with it. Want to name Ballastic missile subs(Ohio class) after states? Fine. Just don't go and name Attack submarines after states as well(Virginia class). If you want to name Carriers after Admirals, Senators or Presidents, do it. We have enough of each to do it. Don't keep jumping back and forth.

And then there's the Ford Carrier class which is going to be the Ford, The Kennedy, and then the Enterprise. Again, because apparently keeping to a theme is just too hard.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 18 at 2016 9:56 AM

2016-04-18T09:56:07-04:00

Oh, I think some politicians can have ships named after them: Lincoln, Washington, Kennedy, Reagan...

You see where I'm going with this I trust.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 8:31 AM

2016-04-20T08:31:48-04:00

The Los Angeles class submarines were generally named after the home cities of the US Representatives who voted to fund the shipbuilding program, so I would say that naming a ship for political favors is nothing new. Not right, but not new.

Response by SA Donald Brown made Apr 20 at 2016 10:15 AM

2016-04-20T10:15:17-04:00

Personal opinion is the sailors will be proud to serve on her no matter who she's named after, but on a lighter side does ships named after politicians seem to have bigger bullseyes on them?

Response by CN Dennis Stender made Apr 20 at 2016 11:10 AM

2016-04-20T11:10:29-04:00

I've often wonder the same thing,if the person was a veteran then it makes sense but no politician other than the Commander in Chief should be considered!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 11:10 AM

2016-04-20T11:10:44-04:00

The name of a ship depends on what type of ship it is. Certain ships are named after battles, presidents, politicians, cities, states, MOH recipients, and historical figures.

Response by SMSgt Roy Dowdy made Apr 20 at 2016 11:55 AM

2016-04-20T11:55:30-04:00

Simple, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is a political hack who would curry favor with Satan to ingratiate himself with Democratic insiders to get a shot at SecDef when the new administration arrives in November!

Response by CDR William Kempner made Apr 20 at 2016 12:57 PM

2016-04-20T12:57:17-04:00

This is a bad thing. We have WAY too many senators/congressmen/others whose ego is bigger than they are, or what they have done. First of all, such things should NOT be done for LIVING PEOPLE! That is a well-meant(in most cases) mistake. It is NOT appropriate to memorialize LIVING PEOPLE!! Once upon a time, politicians and public figures had a better sense of their own importance. Theodore Roosevelt would NOT ALLOW things to be named for him while he was still alive! We started on the slippery slope with Carl Vinson-most of the sailors on it probably couldn't tell you who he was or when he was alive. Then "Scoop" Jackson, then Jimmy Carter, etc. (I'll even give ya Rickover (who bitched that they should have named a carrier after him!!(And he was a Submariner!)) Carl Levin? Really?? Doesn't pass the smell test.

Response by SSgt William Quinn, MSSCM made Apr 20 at 2016 1:03 PM

2016-04-20T13:03:12-04:00

This guy is anti private gun ownership, sponsored bills that shut down many military bases and was against the military actions we have taken over the past 20 years. But why are we surprised that politicians are self serving?

Response by PO1 Roger Stroklund made Apr 20 at 2016 1:40 PM

2016-04-20T13:40:58-04:00

If I'm not mistaken, a specific class of ship has to be assigned the name of a Medal of Honor recipient. I'm not sure what class the politician ships are running in, and I'm not saying it's right to name an armed and defended floating piece of American soil after a man or woman who is only willing to tell others what to do with it rather than use it themselves, but I think there are restrictions on MoH namesake ships.

Response by PO1 Todd B. made Apr 20 at 2016 2:59 PM

2016-04-20T14:59:31-04:00

Kind of a self answering question... politics.

Although, it also has to do with favors, self importance and so forth... I think it is ridiculous and a very big insult to the heritage and traditions of the U.S. Navy.

Response by PO1 Gregg Mundy made Apr 20 at 2016 3:41 PM

2016-04-20T15:41:27-04:00

Welcome to the Obama administration. They seem to think they are above ALL rules and regulations!

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 20 at 2016 3:50 PM

2016-04-20T15:50:11-04:00

Based on how he looked on TV the other night, a USS William Jefferson Clinton may not be all that far in the future.

Response by PO3 Peter Starkey made Apr 20 at 2016 4:26 PM

2016-04-20T16:26:41-04:00

Disgusting

Response by SPC(P) Carlos Santini made Apr 20 at 2016 4:56 PM

2016-04-20T16:56:19-04:00

Ships should be named after great commanders not politicians that write dumb ass laws.

Response by LCDR Thomas Doherty (USNR-R Ret) made Apr 21 at 2016 8:08 AM

2016-04-21T08:08:24-04:00

It's a form of corruption. Members of Congress who question military spending too much will never have a ship named after them. There will be no USS William Proxmire, of the "Golden Fleece Award" noting government waste.

Go back to naming carriers traditional names like Intrepid, Constellation, Bonhomme Richard. Destroyers after naval heroes. Cruisers if any after cities. SSBNs after states and SSNs after fish.

Response by SMSgt Roy Dowdy made Apr 28 at 2016 12:48 PM

2016-04-28T12:48:43-04:00

Ah Carl Levin! Piece of work, 40 plus years on the Senate Armed Services Committee and continually sold out his district Air National Guard Units at Selfridge by not fighting for them on a continuous basis. Never served a day in uniform and saw that many of his cronies got approved with lucrative DoD contracts...best politician money can buy!

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 20 at 2016 1:31 PM

2016-05-20T13:31:16-04:00

Maybe because their pork barrel politics helped buy that ship.... ;o)

Response by PO2 David Allender made Jun 2 at 2016 6:54 PM

2016-06-02T18:54:43-04:00

THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE TOPIC, BUT VERY IMPORTANT ANYWAY. a BLUE ANGEL has crashed in Smyrna, Tn about 0301 P.M. This after noon. Pilot was killed. News is breaking on news chanels now.

Response by CPO David Sharp made Jan 24 at 2017 11:01 AM

2017-01-24T11:01:52-05:00

From my understanding of his disdain for the Military, it is of no surprise.

Response by PO2 James A. Petrie IV made Jan 24 at 2017 12:15 PM

2017-01-24T12:15:43-05:00

Navy ships should never be named after Politicians.. Go back to Carriers named after Battles.

Response by PO1 Todd B. made Jan 24 at 2017 4:11 PM

2017-01-24T16:11:13-05:00

This is another thing I am sick and tired of.. I hope the new administration puts a stop to this immediately.

Response by PO3 Michael Peterson made Jan 24 at 2017 8:24 PM

2017-01-24T20:24:36-05:00

How about guys like Lt. Commander Ernest E. Evans, the skipper of the USS JOHNSTON, the battle of Samar. One ship was honoured with his name. Heroes like this need to be on our ship's.