Navy League of the United States

The Navy League of the United States is a national nonprofit organization established in 1902 with the support of President Theodore Roosevelt. The organization is dedicated to advocating for a strong United States Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and U.S. Merchant Marine. It is composed of nearly 50,000 members who aim to educate the public and government about the importance of these sea services to national defense, economic well-being, and overall prosperity.

Mission and Objectives

The Navy League's mission is to inform the American public and government about the significance of a robust maritime presence for the United States. Its objectives include:

• Education: To provide educational resources to the public and Congress on the role of sea services in national security.
• Support: To support the personnel of the sea services and their families.
• Youth Programs: To support youth programs such as the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Junior ROTC, and Young Marines, which aim to instill the values of the sea services in young people.

Publications

The Navy League publishes several key materials to disseminate information on maritime defense issues:

• Seapower Magazine: Released monthly, it covers maritime defense news and features interviews with leaders from the military, industry, and government.
• Almanac of Seapower: An annual publication, usually released in January, that provides detailed information on ships, aircraft, weapons systems, and major commands of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Center for Maritime Strategy

Established in January 2022, the Center for Maritime Strategy is a non-partisan think tank within the Navy League. It focuses on researching maritime issues and their implications for U.S. national security policy, promoting advocacy efforts across a wide range of maritime-related issues.

Membership and Structure

Membership is open to any citizen interested in supporting America’s sea services, with the exception of active-duty military personnel, though reservists and family members are welcome. The organization has a hierarchical structure, including a Board of Directors responsible for governance and strategic direction. Local councils across the country support national initiatives and provide community-level engagement opportunities.

Tax Status

The Navy League is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization, making donations tax-deductible and supporting programs that benefit sea services personnel and their families.