"A good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace."
—Theodore Roosevelt, December 2, 1902, second annual message to Congress
Theodore Roosevelt’s lifelong dedication to sea power began long before his presidency. As author of one of the definitive histories of the U.S. Navy’s role in the War of 1812, he gained a profound appreciation for how naval strength shapes national destiny. That understanding deepened during his tenure as Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1897 to 1898, when he became a tireless advocate for readiness, modernization, and professional excellence within the fleet. Roosevelt pushed for the adoption of modern ships, improved training, and a forward‑thinking approach that linked naval preparedness directly to America’s ability to project influence abroad.
His reforms and visionary leadership in that role laid much of the groundwork for what would become the modern Navy. Even before the Spanish‑American War, Roosevelt foresaw the growing importance of a capable and mobile fleet. Under his watch, the Navy improved its efficiency, readiness, and coordination—changes that allowed the U.S. to respond swiftly when war broke out in 1898. His experience in the Navy Department profoundly shaped his belief that America’s security depended upon commanding the seas.
Carrying those convictions into the White House, President Roosevelt expanded and modernized the fleet on an unprecedented scale. In 1907, he famously dispatched 16 gleaming battleships on a 14‑month world cruise—an extraordinary act of diplomacy and demonstration of strength that captured global attention. This “Great White Fleet” symbolized American confidence, professionalism, and commitment to peace through preparedness.
For these reasons, Theodore Roosevelt is remembered as the Father of the Modern Navy. His legacy inspired the U.S. Navy, in 1981, to name the fourth Nimitz‑class aircraft carrier in his honor. The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN‑71), commissioned on October 25, 1986, has since served with distinction in operations around the world. Known proudly as The Big Stick, the carrier embodies Roosevelt’s enduring ideals of strength, duty, and courage.
Since the ship’s commissioning, the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) has supported the USS Theodore Roosevelt community by helping to create and maintain the ship’s museum, chapel, library, and crew lounge. The TRA also celebrates excellence through its Junior Officer of the Year Award, presented annually since 1992 to officers who best reflect Roosevelt’s qualities of leadership, pride, professionalism, and commitment to service.
Beyond the ship, the TRA continues Roosevelt’s legacy through programs such as Wings Over America, which offers college scholarships to dependents of the ship’s crew, and Homeward Bound for the Holidays, which helps sailors reunite with their families each year. Together, these efforts honor Theodore Roosevelt’s belief that a strong Navy—and the men and women who serve it—remain essential to America’s strength and character.
PROGRAMS:
Homeward Bound for the Holidays
Wings Over America
Junior Officer of the Year Award
October 2025 / USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Junior Officer Leadership Award
Commanding Officer Captain Brian Schrum presents award onboard the ship.
October 2024 / USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Junior Officer Leadership Award
Commanding Officer Captain Brian Schrum presents award onboard the ship.
October 2023 / A Special Message from the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
The Commanding Officer of the ship, Captain Brian Schrum, greeted the TRA’s Annual Meeting from the ship.
October 25, 2016 was the 30th Anniversary of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The Commanding Officer Captain Craig Clapperton, shared with us a very special message and inside look at the ship and her crew.