I'm doing research for a paper on the Navy. More specifically I want to learn about if the role of the Navy has changed (both doing wartime and peace time) and if so, how? I'm sensing that there is something to the idea that Naval units used to be serve artillery and transportation purposes. I'm wondering if it has become more of a surveillance or targeting branch of the military (the eyes and the ears of the Armed Services). I was wondering if there was anything to this theory, please feel free to chime in, correct me or otherwise. I would really like to hear other opinions.

Matt
The role of the Navy is changing rapidly. While the Navy serves as a method to transport Marine Expeditionary Forces, and large quantities of materials, it is also a great way to apply large and powerful amounts of force to any given region in the world. The NAVY can hit any target on the planet. And I mean ANY target. The NAVY is our primary force that has ensured our continued existance in todays world. Thier very presence, ensures our way of life, and has for decades.

Gone are the battleships with 16 inch guns that can lob a single salvo of twelve 2000lb shells inland twenty miles or more. I personally watched the USS New Jersey, remove the top of a mountain in Beruit. Sadly, now they are just museum pieces. Visit one if you ever get the chance.

Aircraft Carriers are a phenominal machines and should be considered one of the seven wonders of the world. (in my opinion)

As for the question concerning eyes and ears of the armed services? Not really. The NAVY as I indicated above is truely a large force projection type of service. Hell, the Army can't even move without using the Navy to get them there. Can't fit too many M-1 Abrams tanks into a 747 or C-5 Galaxy. Can't drive them to another country to start a war.

I wouldn't say the USN is now the just "eyes and ears". An Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) has always been a floating "bubble" of US miltary capabilities-- able to detect, defend and offensively strike within that bubble. Advances in technology have made that bubble bigger and more acurate. Instead of 16-in guns they have cruise missiles. Longer range and more versatile aircraft (VSTOL). Farther seeking and more accurate radar, etc. So, in my opinion, the "basics" of the USN have not changed, just more technical expertise and a larger area of influence than ever before.