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Aristus

(66,075 posts)
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 04:44 PM Dec 2019

Navy veterans: my plan for a new naming program for our aircraft carriers.

Full disclosure: I'm ex-Army, but I'm still fascinated by naval vessels.

I have to tell you, I'm pretty sick and tired of having our carriers named for famous figures in American history. And I think it's a really bad idea to name them after Presidents. After all, Cadet Bonespurs could, theoretically, get one named after him someday.

Carriers used to be named after battles, like Lexington, Saratoga, or Iwo Jima. Or after famous American ships from the Age of Sail, like Hornet, Wasp, or Enterprise.

I'd like to start a new program whereby carriers take their names only from either the original six frigates (other than Constitution, of course) or else the names of the states, like they used to do with battleships, (with the exception of Arizona and Utah. )

That would leave us with fifty-three names for new carriers. With state names, we could bestow them in the order the states entered the Union, i.e. U.S.S. Delaware, etc.

What do you think of that idea?

23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Navy veterans: my plan for a new naming program for our aircraft carriers. (Original Post) Aristus Dec 2019 OP
You'd have to exclude Oklahoma as well Docreed2003 Dec 2019 #1
No, I think both of those are great ideas. Aristus Dec 2019 #4
I agree. I think we're ready for a new Arizona, too. marble falls Dec 2019 #2
I'm not sure I agree with that. Aristus Dec 2019 #5
The Arizona means a lot to me for no reason I can explain as an ex-swabby. But she's rapidly ... marble falls Dec 2019 #8
I wonder (if this program was adopted, of course), if a new Arizona was in the works, Aristus Dec 2019 #9
Looked around, can't see anything about it. marble falls Dec 2019 #10
The USS Arizona Memorial GP6971 Dec 2019 #17
I hope it stays that way. Aristus Dec 2019 #18
Im not a veteran but I very much like your plan for a new naming program ... CatMor Dec 2019 #3
I like that idea. Aristus Dec 2019 #6
Remember the Maine! bluedigger Dec 2019 #7
I would rather see them named this way or after Medal of Honor recipients. redstatebluegirl Dec 2019 #11
That's another good idea. Aristus Dec 2019 #12
I agree. Haggis for Breakfast Dec 2019 #21
I agree in part Sherman A1 Dec 2019 #13
The next carrier up for construction after the new USS JFK is the Enterprise. Aristus Dec 2019 #14
I would add GP6971 Dec 2019 #19
Doesn't Matter What You Name Them The River Dec 2019 #15
I'm fine with that. Aristus Dec 2019 #16
I'd reserve the names of the Essex class cariers, plus the Enterprise and JFK, for future carriers Kaleva Dec 2019 #20
Submarines are now named after states. Angleae Dec 2019 #22
I liked it better when they just had maritime names. Aristus Dec 2019 #23

Docreed2003

(16,817 posts)
1. You'd have to exclude Oklahoma as well
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 04:49 PM
Dec 2019

I don't have a problem with the idea, other than I think we should always have a ship named Enterprise, but that's a personal preference.

Aristus

(66,075 posts)
4. No, I think both of those are great ideas.
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 04:53 PM
Dec 2019

I knew there was a protocol against using Arizona or Utah again. Is there one for Oklahoma?

And yes, definitely let's always have an Enterprise...

Aristus

(66,075 posts)
5. I'm not sure I agree with that.
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 04:54 PM
Dec 2019

I don't know (see above) if there's an actual protocol in place against the naming of new ships for Arizona, in honor of the U.S.S. Arizona, but if there is, I agree with it.

marble falls

(56,353 posts)
8. The Arizona means a lot to me for no reason I can explain as an ex-swabby. But she's rapidly ...
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 04:58 PM
Dec 2019

deteriorating and will be functionally gone in a few decades.

I've seen the silver ward settings for her at the AZ state fair and the thought they could be placed on a new Arizona pleases me.

Aristus

(66,075 posts)
9. I wonder (if this program was adopted, of course), if a new Arizona was in the works,
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 05:03 PM
Dec 2019

putting the issue to a consortium of naval veterans from the State of Arizona to get a decision on whether or not to revive the name for future ships.

GP6971

(31,013 posts)
17. The USS Arizona Memorial
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 08:52 PM
Dec 2019

is an active Military Cemetery. So the Navy may not consider a new ship in her name....just a thought.

Aristus

(66,075 posts)
18. I hope it stays that way.
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 08:54 PM
Dec 2019

I visited the Memorial. Very moving. I'm sure they'll find a way to preserve the memorial even after the ship has rusted completely away.

CatMor

(6,212 posts)
3. Im not a veteran but I very much like your plan for a new naming program ...
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 04:52 PM
Dec 2019

naming after the state's could also mean to honor the women and men from those states who served our country.

Aristus

(66,075 posts)
6. I like that idea.
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 04:56 PM
Dec 2019

They could even use that in the christening ceremony for the new ships.

"In honor of the men and women of the great state of Delaware, I christen thee U.S.S. Delaware!

Sounds good...

Haggis for Breakfast

(6,831 posts)
21. I agree.
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 10:22 PM
Dec 2019

And naming ships after honored heroes sits well with me too. I'd like to see the U.S.S. William McRaven. But I would LOVE to see the U.S.S. Barack H. Obama.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
13. I agree in part
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 05:35 PM
Dec 2019

I would prefer that they be named after the battles as they once were and of course their must be one named Enterprise.

I prefer
Enterprise
Constellation
Saratoga
Ticonderoga
Yorktown
Hornet
Lexington
Intrepid
Wasp
Kearsage
Shangri-La
Oriskany

The River

(2,615 posts)
15. Doesn't Matter What You Name Them
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 08:33 PM
Dec 2019

the enlisted crew will find /make up a dirty nickname.
Having served aboard an old Essex class carrier (CVA 19)
it was unavoidable.

Kaleva

(36,145 posts)
20. I'd reserve the names of the Essex class cariers, plus the Enterprise and JFK, for future carriers
Fri Dec 6, 2019, 09:34 PM
Dec 2019

Boomers can be states, attack subs named after fish, cruisers after cities, destroyers and frigates named after destroyers that were active during WWII.

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