Commissioning
Key Milestones
Learn more about the life of a ship of the U.S. Navy
The ship and class name should reflect the diverse history of our country and the maritime services and be based on the naming convention and historical precedence for previous ships, capability, or mission.
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Following longstanding naval tradition, a ship’s Sponsor is a female who is typically selected for her relationship to the namesake or to the ship’s current mission. It is said that her spirit and presence will guide the ship throughout its service life.
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The Sailors who will eventually crew the ship are selected and ordered to the ship starting about 12-18 months prior to delivery.
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The Keel Laying is a major milestone in the life of the ship, for it symbolizes the point at which the ship begins to transition from design to reality.
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The point when the ship enters the water for the first time. Traditionally, it coincides with the ship's Christening with the ship sliding down the ways into the water with a splash. Today, many launchings take place separately from the Christening.
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The Christening ceremony marks the traditional transition of the ship from the new construction phase to its comprehensive tests and trials phase - moving from a mere hull number to a ship with a name and spirit.
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An intense series of tests at-sea in which the shipbuilders and the Navy demonstrate the satisfactory operation of all installed shipboard equipment. Sea Trials ensure that the performance of the ship as a whole is in accordance with its requirements and specifications. New construction ships undergo Builder's Trials and Acceptance Trials prior to ship's delivery, and Final Contract Trials several months after delivery and sail away.
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The official turnover of custody of a ship from the shipyard to the U.S. Navy. This private ceremony involves the Prospective Commanding Officer who actually signs for the ship. This event normally coincides with Move Aboard when the Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) crew moves aboard and starts living, eating, standing watch, training and working aboard the ship while final work continues in the shipyard.
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The Commissioning ceremony is one of the most important traditional ceremonial milestones in the life of the ship, for it represents the acceptance of the ship by the U.S. Navy and her entry into the active fleet.
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The decommissioning ceremony is the last of the major ceremonial milestones, for it marks the end of the ship’s active service life.
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