Naming U.S. Navy Ships: Policies and Practices of the U.S. Navy for Naming the Vessels of the Navy - Orthodox Traditionalists versus Pragmatic Traditionalists, Current Conventions

This unique Navy report:

Includes a description of the current policies and practices of the Navy for naming vessels of the Navy, and a description of the extent to which these policies and practices vary from historical policies and practices of the Navy for naming vessels of the Navy, and an explanation for such variances;

Assesses the feasibility and advisability of establishing fixed policies for the naming of one or more classes of vessels of the Navy, and a statement of the policies recommended to apply to each class of vessels recommended to be covered by such fixed policies if the establishment of such fixed policies is considered feasible and advisable; and

Identifies any other matter relating to the policies and practices of the Navy for naming vessels of the Navy that the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.

After examining the historical record in great detail, this report concludes:

Current ship naming policies and practices fall well within the historic spectrum of policies and practices for naming vessels of the Navy, and are altogether consistent with ship naming customs and traditions.

The establishment of fixed policies for the naming of one or more classes of vessels of the Navy would be highly inadvisable. There is no objective evidence to suggest that fixed policies would improve Navy ship naming policies and practices, which have worked well for over two centuries.
Policies and Practices of the U.S. Navy for Naming the Vessels of the Navy - Executive Summary - Part I: Policies and Practices for Naming the Vessels of the Navy - Purpose - Background - Orthodox Traditionalists versus Pragmatic Traditionalists - Exceptions to Type Naming Conventions - Naming Warships after Living Persons - Exogenous Influences on Ship Naming - A Review of Current Ship-naming Policies and Practices - Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSVs) - Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ships (T-AKEs) - Amphibious Transport Docks (LPDs) - Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs) - Aircraft Carriers (CVs, CVLs, CVEs and CVNs) - Seabasing ships (MLPs and AFSBs) - Destroyers (DDs, DLs, DLGs, DLGNs and DDGs) - Fleet Submarines (SSs, SSGs, SSBNs, SSNs and SSGNs) - "Big Deck" Amphibious Assault Ships (LPHs, LHAs, and LHDs) - High Speed Ferries (HSFs) - Part II: Naming Conventions for Remaining Ship Types/Classes - USS Constitution (44 guns) - Cruisers (CAs, CBs, CCs, CLs, CAGs, CLGs, CLGNs and CGs) - Destroyer and Ocean Escorts (DEs, DEGs, FFs, and FFGs) - Mine warfare ships (MCMs and MHCs) - Patrol Ships (PCs) - Dock Landing Ships (LSDs) - Fast Combat Support Ships (AOEs and T-AOEs) - Fleet Oilers (AOs and T-AOs) - Other support ships - Part III: Conclusion