How Much Do You Really Know About the Navy?


By: Kale Havervold

6 Min Quiz

Image: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images / Getty Images

About This Quiz

The U.S. military is, without a doubt, one of the strongest on the planet. In particular, the U.S Navy is legendary and well-respected throughout the world. While it has dealt with its fair share of unfortunate events and battles over the years, it has always rebounded. It is currently the largest and most powerful Navy in the world by a wide margin and shows no signs of relinquishing that spot anytime soon.

But how much do you know about the U.S Navy and the men and women who serve in it? Do you know how long the Navy has been around in total? How about the size of their largest aircraft carrier? With the long and storied history of the Navy, there is a lot to know and learn. If you want to prove your high-ranking knowledge of all things related to the Navy, or you want to learn more about it quickly, this quiz is for you.

Do you have what it takes to be a Navy SEAL, or will the high tides and rough waters be too much for you? Read on and challenge yourself against our quiz to find out!

Which year was the Navy originally founded?

The United States Navy has been around since 1775, when it was known simply as the Continental Navy. This means that the Navy was founded before the United States of America became a country.


How many aircraft carriers does the U.S Navy have in service as of 2020?

The USA has 11 aircraft carriers. While that may not seem like a lot, there are only 44 of these giant ships on the planet. These are operated by 13 different countries, with the USA having the most.


There are many ranks in the Navy, but what is the absolute highest that can be achieved?

Rising through the ranks of the Navy is a goal that many people have when they enlist. There are many ranks you can rise through, but none higher than Admiral of the Navy. It is equivalent to General of the Armies.


What are the Navy's two colors?

Blue and gold are the Navy's two colors. This doesn't mean those in the Navy always wear uniforms that feature these colors, but these are the official colors and have been for a long time.


The Navy recently commissioned a new aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. How large is it in terms of displacement?

The USS Gerald Ford is the largest aircraft carrier in the USA's fleet. It has a displacement of approximately 100,000 tonnes. Displacement measures how much water is pushed aside while the ship is floating.


Approximately how many active duty personnel are in the Navy as of 2019?

The U.S has the largest and one of the most impressive navies on the planet. It has approximately 336,000 active duty personnel and many other employees in civilian jobs.


What is the Navy's unofficial (not official) motto?

While the Navy's official motto is "Always Courageous," it also has an unofficial motto. This motto is "non sibi sed patriae," which stands for "not for self, but for country.".


How many NCIS locations are there throughout the world?

While you might think NCIS is just a show, it's not. The Naval Criminal Investigative service operates 191 different locations around the world. There are offices in 41 countries.


Many presidents have served their country at one time or another, but how many served in the Navy?

Dozens of president's have served in the military in some capacity, but only six have served in the Navy or the Naval Reserve. All six actually served in the same war, World War II.


Who was the first-ever admiral in the U.S Navy?

The very first admiral in the U.S Navy was David Farragut. Farragut became an admiral after the Civil War. The Navy operated for many decades before ever naming anyone an admiral.


Which state is home to the Navy's headquarters?

The Pentagon is the Navy's headquarters, as well as the headquarters of other U.S military branches. The Pentagon is located in Virginia, which was one of the earliest states to join the nation.


The USS Constitution is currently the oldest active and commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy. When was it initially launched?

That's right, a ship that first launched in 1797 is still commissioned to this day. The USS Constitution only cost $300,000, which is a tiny fraction of the cost of most ships built today or in recent decades.


What exactly is a Navy SEAL?

Navy SEALs are the Navy's primary special forces team. While many people think this is a reference to a real seal. But SEAL is actually an acronym for Sea, Air and Land. The SEALs have been around since 1962.


How long is basic training for the Navy?

Basic training and boot camp for the Navy takes eight weeks. Basic training prepares individuals for life as a sailor and gets them accustomed to what they will face during combat and times of peace.


What date is considered the Navy's birthday?

The Navy's birthday is October 13. That is the date on which the original Navy was founded in 1775. This means the Navy is very close to celebrating its 250th anniversary.


Who was Loretta Perfectus Walsh?

Loretta Perfectus Walsh is best known as the very first woman to enlist in the U.S Navy. She enlisted in 1917 and was the first woman to ever serve in the U.S armed forces as something other than a nurse. Her rank was Chief Yeoman.


Which war saw the U.S Navy outnumbered 40 to 1?

While the U.S Navy is now the most powerful in the world, that wasn't always the case. During the War of 1812, the U.S. Navy was outnumbered 40 to 1 by the British navy and its many ships.


How is it decided who in the Navy will take on duties on a submarine?

Everyone who works on a Navy submarine is someone who has volunteered or asked to be there. Submarines are quite small, and people on them might be there for weeks or months at a time.


Of the many brave individuals serving in the Navy, around what percentage are female, according to the Defense Department?

While the Navy, and most of the armed forces, are still primarily made up of males, there is a growing number of females joining the service. In particular, the Navy is made up of around 19% women.


What is Navy and the Naval Academy's song?

"Anchors Aweigh" is the Navy's official song. It was composed in 1906 and became the official song in 1907. The original lyrics were revised in 1997.


In which state does Navy basic training take place?

The only enlisted basic training location for the Navy in the country is located in Illinois, just outside of Chicago. The location is called the Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.


Currently, who is in charge of naming the various ships of the Navy?

The person in charge of naming new ships for the Navy is the secretary of the Navy. This is done under the direction of the President of the United States, and there are many rules to follow, as well.


What is the age range for joining the Navy as an enlisted sailor?

If you want to join the Navy, you need to be between the ages of 17 to 39. If you are only 17, however, you need parental permission before you are allowed to enlist into the armed forces.


Which four-legged animal is the Mascot for the U.S. Naval Academy?

Bill the Goat is the mascot for the U.S. Naval Academy. It is a live goat, and the animal was first seen as the mascot in 1893. So far, there have been more than 30 "Bills" throughout Navy history.


Submarines play a very important role in the Navy. How many different and major types of submarines are used by the U.S Navy?

There are many submarines in the Navy, but they fall in only three different classes or types. These are attack submarines, cruise missile submarines and ballistic missile submarines.


How many aircraft were completely destroyed during the devastating attacks on Pearl Harbor?

The attacks on Pearl Harbor were incredibly sad and horrific. In total, the attack in 1941 led to the complete destruction of 188 aircraft. More than 150 others were also damaged.


Which of these famous astronauts was a Navy aviator?

Before he became an astronaut, Neil Armstrong served in the Navy. Armstrong is best known for being the first person to walk on the moon.


Of all the surface combat ships in the Navy, which was the first to use nuclear power?

The USS Long Beach was the very first Navy surface combat ship to use nuclear power. Named after the city in California, the ship was initially launched in 1959 and was decommissioned in 1995.


As of 2019, who is the Secretary of the Navy?

Ever since he assumed the position on August 3, 2017, Richard V. Spencer has been the U.S Secretary of the Navy. He is also a former U.S. Secretary of Defense and served in the Marines from 1976 to 1981.


What is the motto of the U.S Navy SEALs?

The official motto of the U.S Navy SEALs is "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday." Mottos are important to military organizations as motivation as well as to convey values or missions.


In what year did the legendary Alene Duerk become the first-ever female admiral in the Navy?

in 1972, Alene Duerk became the very first female Navy officer. She was also the director of the U.S Navy Nurse Corps from 1970 to 1975. She served for decades and decades and is incredibly decorated.


Who was Captain John Paul Jones?

John Paul Jones was known as a naval commander during the American Revolutionary War. He, along with a few others, share the distinction of being called the "Father of the Navy."


What are the Blue Angels?

The Blue Angels are a flight demonstration squad that have been around since 1946, making them one of the oldest flight demonstration teams on the planet. They fly in dozens of shows and events every year.


How many manned aircraft does the Department of Navy have at its disposal as of 2019?

While the Navy usually deals with boats and submarines, it also has a relatively large fleet of aircraft. In total, the Navy has a fleet of over 3,700 operational aircraft. Some are operated by the Navy, others by the Marines.


As you've noticed, the names of ships begin with "USS." What does that mean?

USS stands for United States Ship. Every ship that is commissioned by the U.S Navy will have a USS at the beginning of its name. Once a ship is decommissioned, the USS is dropped from its name.


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