My social media feed this weekend was flooded with military members and couples dressed to the nines to celebrate the Navy’s 243rd birthday. Navy birthday balls were held all around the country and at military installations abroad. Here’s what you need to know about how the Navy does birthdays in a big way.
Rich Heritage and Tradition
The military is synonymous with tradition and the Navy is one of the most tradition-rich of the services. From the earliest days of wooden sailing ships, customs and rituals were a part of every sailor’s life. The official birthday is recognized on October 13 every year, the day that the Continental Navy was founded in 1775. It was officially recognized as an internal Department of Defense holiday in 1972 by then-Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo Zumwalt.
This year’s celebration included the theme “Forged by the Sea.” Ceremonies often include remarks by notable speakers, bell ringing, and other ways to mark the occasion. One of my favorite Navy birthday traditions includes a cake-cutting presided over by the oldest and youngest members of a command. This signifies an important link between the experience and future of the US Navy.
Hundreds of Navy personnel and their guests attended the @USNavy #Birthday Ball hosted by the @NavyLeagueUS on Oct. 13, celebrating 243 years of “honor, courage and commitment.” Southwest Airlines Capt. Tammie Jo Shults was the keynote speaker. Read more: https://t.co/Nwx9DIgCCX pic.twitter.com/0zQe9JV6Ei
— SEAPOWER Team (@SeapowerMag) October 15, 2018
Navy birthday balls are often held on installations where there is a strong Navy presence. Service members attend with their spouses or dates, as well as those who work to support the Navy’s mission in the area. Local leaders are also often invited to share this naval tradition with the community.
Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer expressed his own birthday sentiments on Twitter: “For 243 years the Navy has been a global force, forged from the sea, united in a common purpose, ready to fight, respond, and defend wherever there is a need,” he said. “Happy Birthday, Shipmates—God bless you and God bless the United States Navy.”
"For 243 years @USNavy has been a global force, forged from the sea, united in a common purpose, ready to fight , respond, and defend wherever there is need…" – #SECNAV76 #243NavyBday pic.twitter.com/wa1HDvajQZ
— SECNAV76 (@secnav76) October 12, 2018
The Future of Sea Power
The focus of celebrations this year was to increase engagement with the public at home and abroad. “The intent is to maximize public awareness by conducting local events in areas with a Navy presence,” said Chief of Naval Operations John M. Richardson’s office in guidance released to the fleet in July to prepare for celebrations. “On a broader scale, we will use the 243rd BDAY to tell our Navy’s story, strengthen our Navy’s connection to the American public, and improve the American public’s appreciation for our Navy’s role in our nation’s history and culture.”
Team, it was great to celebrate our 243rd birthday with our Sailors here at the Pentagon. 243 years ago, our @USNavy was founded to protect America from attack, to secure our prosperity and our interests around the world, and we've been doing that every day since. Happy Birthday! pic.twitter.com/wMbMHi6Fuy
— Chief of Naval Operations (@USNavyCNO) October 12, 2018
This is complimentary to the new direction that military public affairs has taken lately. Beginning with rebranding the Department of Defense website, the DoD is working to engage more effectively with those outside of the military bubble.
In a time where less than 1 percent of Americans are serving in the military, effective engagement with the American public is key. Military service is increasingly a family business where military service is undertaken by those with family already serving. This means that those without that personal connection often have misconceptions or a lack of knowledge about what the military does.
Improved graphics, a focus on the military’s humanitarian work and personnel, and the #knowyourmil social media campaign are all parts of how the DoD is making military service personal.
Happy birthday, United States Navy. I am proud to have been a small part of 243 years of rich naval tradition and work on the behalf of the American people.
