Ship Commissionings

The commissioning of a Navy warship or Coast Guard cutter is an impressive ceremony and marks the beginning of the history of the ship. Commissioning is a formal ceremony, steeped in tradition, during which the crew officially “mans” (boards) the ship to “bring the ship to life” and begin her service as a United States Ship or United States Coast Guard Cutter. Navy League Councils often sponsor the commissioning ceremony and then adopt the ship and her crew.

The sponsoring NLUS Council often raises funds to enhance the ceremony as well as purchase morale and welfare equipment to improve the lives of her crew and help make the ship “home.”

Navy League policy for ship commissioning gifts is described in the NLUS Council Ship Commissioning Guide. For information on any commissioning listed below, or to support the commissioning financially, please contact the sponsoring Navy League Council or Region.

If your council is interested in sponsoring a commissioning, contact Joe Hanna (Navy) at (228)769-4419, or LCDR Jeffrey Neumann, USCG at (202)267-0325.