Naval Reserve Birthday is celebrated annually on March 3 to commemorate the establishment of the United States Navy Reserve. Did you know the Navy Reserve was established in 1915, making it more than a century younger than the U.S. Navy? Because Naval Reserve Birthday is not a federal holiday, people and businesses go about their daily lives on this day. However, the birthday is typically observed at various Navy Reserve units, the Reserve Headquarters, and the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Navy Reserve program allows citizens to serve in the Navy part-time with full training close to their homes until deployment. Reservists are members of the Navy Reserve.
History of Navy Reserve Birthday
According to historians, there are two main periods in United States Navy history: the “Old Navy” and the “New Navy.” The Old Navy period began on October 13, 1775, with the establishment of the Continental Navy by the Second Continental Congress. This Naval Force served in the American Revolutionary War before being disbanded in 1785. However, in response to North African pirates disrupting American sea trades, Congress passed the Naval Act of 1794, establishing a permanent standing U.S. Navy. The Navy was involved in the Quasi-War (1798 —1799), the First and Second Barbary Wars, the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War of 1846, and the American Civil War.
The U.S. Navy also assisted in the fight against piracy in the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas, as well as the slave trade off the coast of West Africa. To deal with the growing number of outdated ship designs, Congress approved the construction of new modern battleships and cruisers in the 1880s. By 1870, America had risen from twelfth to fifth in the world in terms of naval fleet size. They surpassed the British Royal Navy in terms of uniformed men and women and capital ship size during the 1920s and 1930s. This expansion lasted until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1941. The Navy became the world’s undisputed naval superpower following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990–1991.
On March 3, 1915, Congress passed legislation to establish the Federal Navy Reserve. On April 6, 1917, it was renamed the U.S. Naval Reserve Force. The Naval Reserve Force joined WWI with about 8,000 sailors, growing to 250,000 reservists by the end of the war. The Reserve served during WWII, making up 84% of the United States Navy’s fighting force. They also served in major armed conflicts, such as the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the first Gulf War, and the contingencies in Bosnia and Kosovo. In 2005, the Naval Reserve Force was renamed to Navy Reserve.
Navy Reserve Birthday FAQs
How long are Navy Reserve officer contracts?
All U.S initial military contracts, including reserves, are usually for a minimum of eight years, where the recruit spends two to three years on active duty and the remaining in the Active Reserve.
How often do Navy Reserves get deployed?
Reserves are typically deployed once in five to six years, but it can be more than that.
Is there such a thing as Navy Reserve?
Yes, the Navy Reserve allows you to serve in the U.S. Navy part-time while pursuing a full-time civilian education or career.
How to Observe Navy Reserve Birthday
Join the Navy Reserve
If you are interested in being part of the military and still pursuing a civilian life, you can choose to join the U.S. Navy Reserve. Check with a Reserve unit near you on how you can join the Navy Reserve or head to Navy.com for more information.
Attend a Navy Reserve Birthday event
While Navy Reserve Birthday is not exactly observed with pomp and fanfare as Memorial Day, POW/MIA Day, or Veterans Day, it is marked with an event in Navy Reserve units across the country. If there is one near you, head over there and celebrate with them. Don't forget to go along with a gift.
Donate to organizations that support the Navy Reserve
Several organizations in the United States work in areas that promote the Navy Reserve's mission to ensure the welfare of its members. Donating to one of these organizations can go a long way in impacting one or more reservists' lives. Examples are the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the Red Cross, and USO. You can also choose to volunteer with them if there's an opening.
5 Fascinating Facts About The Navy
Submariners volunteer for service
Navy personnel volunteer to serve in submarines.
It's the largest in the world
The U.S. Navy is the largest globally in terms of manpower, with 323,000 active and 109,000 personnel.
The N.C.I.S. is real
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is an agency under the U.S. Department of the Navy that prevents terrorism, protects secrets, and fights crime.
The Navy produced six presidents
John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush are the six naval veterans that became presidents.
It has its own construction crew
The U.S. Naval Construction Force handles the building of Navy bases, and paving roads and airstrips in combat zones.
Why Navy Reserve Birthday is Important
The Navy is key to economic prosperity
About 60% of the world's goods are transported via sea. That's a largely significant number. The U.S. Navy's global presence allowed that to be possible, including its ability to tackle piracy effectively. American citizens and their allies can enjoy agricultural produce and products from other countries without worrying about a disruption in supply.
The Navy preserves peace for America and its allies
Up to 70% of the Earth's surface is open sea. Having the U.S. Navy stationed in various parts of its territorial waters and major geographical areas in the world has helped prevent military aggressions and safeguard the U.S. and its allies' interests.
The Navy is crucial to the internet
About 99% of transoceanic data traffic is currently transmitted via submarine cables. These cables facilitate almost all electronic financial transactions between the U.S. and other continents, including emails and phone calls. The Naval protection of these submarine cables allows continued access to the internet for individuals and businesses and contributes to global economic prosperity.
Navy Reserve Birthday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 3 | Monday |
| 2026 | March 3 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | March 3 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | March 3 | Friday |
| 2029 | March 3 | Saturday |
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