Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Navy League?

The Navy League of the United States is a private, nonprofit, civilian organization that serves, supports and stands with the U.S. sea services - the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard and the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine. It is a patriotic organization founded in 1902 with two purposes: educating American citizens and elected officials about the importance of sea power, and supporting the men and women of the sea services and their families.

How does the Navy League achieve these two goals?

The Navy League has a headquarters staff and more than 75,000 members world-wide belonging to 330 Navy League councils. Education initiatives occur at both the national and local levels, as do the programs to support serving members and their families.

What are some of the ways the Navy League supports the sea services?

At the local level, Navy League councils sponsor activities to help boost morale and extend appreciation by adopting ships, units and installations; providing recreation equipment and library books for deploying ships; hosting port welcomes and holiday celebrations; presenting awards to outstanding members of the sea services. Nationally, the Navy League presents scholarships to children of sea service families; organizes the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, a leadership program for youth that currently has about 10,000 youth enrolled across the country, and in Guam and Puerto Rico. It publishes Sea Power magazine, and sponsors the annual Sea-Air-Space Exposition. The Navy League provides educational opportunities for the public to learn about the sea services. Additionally, it works to educate elected officials about the needs of the sea services and how critical they are to national security, safety and the global economy.

Where is the Navy League headquartered?

In Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The Navy League is in the process of constructing it's new headquarters building on Wilson Boulevard, scheduled for completion in 2003.

Is the Navy League composed of individual or corporate memberships?

Both. Nearly 75,000 individuals have joined the Navy League. More than 110 companies and businesses who support the Navy League's goals are corporate members. They enjoy many opportunities that bring business and industry leaders together to learn more about the sea services and share their resources on behalf of the Navy League.

Are there any restrictions on membership?

Yes. Active duty members of the sea services may not be members of the Navy League. However, family members of active duty members may belong to the Navy League, as do many retired service members.

How is the Navy League organized?

Elected national officers and appointed national committee members work closely with staff at headquarters. Regional and state officers help the headquarters communicate with the local councils and their locally elected leadership.

What's the Theodore Roosevelt connection to the Navy League? I thought he was a cavalryman.

Before becoming president, Theodore Roosevelt was one of two men who organized the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, popularly known as the "Rough Riders," which saw action in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. But Roosevelt had a lifelong love of the Navy and ships, and his first book, published in 1882, was The Naval War of 1812. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for a short time in the McKinley Administration, and understood the importance of a strong naval defense to the United States. He was a vocal supporter of the need for the Navy League as an advocate for the future of the country's naval interests, and contributed some of his Nobel Peace Prize money to help the Navy League in its early years. (Roosevelt received the Prize in 1906 for his work in negotiating an end to the Russo-Japanese War the year before.) The modern aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt was named in his honor.

What are the "sea services?"

The United States is a maritime nation bordered on three sides by oceans. Four services safeguard the safety and security of those waters and maintain open shipping lanes to ensure free commerce in and out of U.S. waters. Those services are the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine.

What is Seapower magazine?

Seapower magazine is a monthly publication of the Navy League and is considered the publication of record for the sea services. Scholars, sea service officers and naval experts contribute to the magazine, making it one of the premiere naval magazines and well read among defense and security decision-makers. Sea Power magazine and the Almanac of Seapower are included with membership in the Navy League. Seapower holds monthly media briefings to feature its authors and their articles; contact the Navy League Public Affairs Office if you would like to attend these phone conferences.

What is the Almanac of Seapower?

An annual publication of the Navy League, the almanac is a 300-page reference that provides current data on the ships, aircraft, weapons, communications systems, and support equipment of the U.S. maritime defense services. It is published each January. To purchase an additional copy of the Almanac, contact the headquarters staff at 703-528-1775.

What is the Sea-Air-Space Exposition?

The largest and longest-running maritime tradeshow in the world. This annual Spring exposition is held in Washington, D.C., and offers industry the opportunity to show its latest thinking, designs and products to members of the sea services, members of Congress, defense analysts, foreign military officers, and journalists. The speeches and seminars offer ranking members of the sea services the opportunity to share their thinking about the challenges their services face.

How can I reach the Navy League?

The main number at Navy League headquarters is 703-528-1775 or 800-356-5760. You may also visit the Navy League website at www.navyleague.org.

How can I locate Navy League members in my community or region?

Visit the council section of the Navy League website at www.navyleague.org, and use the council locator to find the council closest to you, or in the part of the country or world in which you are interested. You will likely find the name of local presidents and can contact them directly. Alternatively, contact the Public Affairs Department at the Navy League at 703-528-1775, and ask them for their help.

How can I receive periodic Navy League releases and information?

Contact the Public Affairs Office at 703-528-1775 and ask to be added to the media list to receive regular distribution. You may also want to be alerted to monthly media phone briefings that Sea Power magazine holds to feature its authors and articles.