United States Navy, maritime military force of the United States. The United States Navy can deploy ships, submarines, and aircraft to any of the world's oceans. The Navy also has the military might to attack land targets in many parts of the world and to transport weapons and personnel for other branches of the U.S. military. Navy ballistic missile submarines represent a significant segment of American nuclear forces.

The Navy is under the control of the Department of the Navy, which also includes the United States Marine Corps. In 2003 the Navy (excluding the Marine Corps) had about 385,000 active-duty sailors, including about 55,000 officers, about 325,000 enlisted personnel, and about 4,000 midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The Navy also has about 185,000 civilian employees.

Source: MSN Encarta

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