About

COAT of ARMS

 

BLAZON

 

SHIELD:
Per fess Azure and Gules, a fess wavy Argent thereon five pheons reversed of the first ensigned with a pheon reversed between a sun issuant from chief and a trident issuant from base all Or.

CREST:
From a wreath Argent and Azure, an AEGIS radar configuration of the last displaying a terrestrial globe Proper, fimbriated of the first, all within a bordure Argent (Silver Gray), supported on dexter side by a sea lion rampant Or, armed and langued Gules, gorged with a collar bendy sinister of the third and fourth; on sinister a sea lion rampant Argent (Silver Gray), armed and langued Gules, gorged Or garnished Azure.

MOTTO:
A scroll Argent doubled of the like edged Azure (Dark Blue); inscribed 'IGNIS UBI PARATUS’ and the ends of the scroll inscribed in dexter '1898’ and in sinister '2006’ all Gules.

SUPPORTERS:
Crossed behind the shield, a United States Naval Officer’s sword and enlisted cutlass Proper points down.

 

LOCATION: Miami, FL
COMMISSIONED: 10 FEB 2007

 

SYMBOLISM SHIELD:
The sun and the light blue allude to the tropical waters of the Philippines, where the first important battle of the Spanish-American War took place. The wavy fess suggests the ocean surface, combined with the pheons represent the five of the six ships that sailed into Manila Bay, destroying the entire Spanish fleet. The Gold pheon honors the sixth vessel, USS Olympia, that led the Squadron in line of battle against the Spanish. USS Olympia was the flagship of the Asiatic Squadron and commanded by Captain Gridley. Red commemorates sacrifice and Captain Gridley’s wartime service. The trident symbolizes naval prowess and the ship’s modern technology of air, surface and sub-surface warfare.

 

CREST:
The AEGIS shield highlights USS Gridley’s weapon system and the destroyer class to which the ship belongs. The terrestrial globe indicates USS Gridley’s capability to deploy worldwide. The globe is positioned on the Pacific theater, the area of Captain Gridley’s later naval career. The sea lions symbolize valor at sea; the gold sea lion refers to Captain Gridley’s leadership and wisdom that won the love of his crew, illustrated by the gray sea lion. The collar to dexter suggests Captain Gridley’s rank and the sinister collar signifies the colors traditionally associated with the Navy, Dark Blue and Gold, representing the sea and excellence.

SUPPORTERS:
The crossed officer sword and enlisted cutlass symbolize cooperation and teamwork.

MOTTO:
Red, white and blue are the national colors. The motto translates to 'FIRE WHEN READY' the command that opened the battle of Manila Bay. The date '1898' is the year of events in Manila Bay and '2006' is the year USS Gridley was delivered to the United States Navy.

Our Core Values

Throughout its history, the Navy has successfully met all its challenges. America's naval service began during the American Revolution, when on Oct. 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized a few small ships, creating the Continental Navy. Esek Hopkins was appointed Commander in Chief and 22 officers were commissioned, including John Paul Jones.

From those early days of naval service, certain bedrock principles or core values have carried on to today. They consist of three basic principles.

Honor:
"I will bear true faith and allegiance ..." Accordingly, we will: Conduct ourselves in the highest ethical manner in all relationships with peers, superiors and subordinates; Be honest and truthful in our dealings with each other, and with those outside the Navy; Be willing to make honest recommendations and accept those of junior personnel; Encourage new ideas and deliver the bad news, even when it is unpopular; Abide by an uncompromising code of integrity, taking responsibility for our actions and keeping our word; Fulfill or exceed our legal and ethical responsibilities in our public and personal lives twenty-four hours a day. Illegal or improper behavior or even the appearance of such behavior will not be tolerated. We are accountable for our professional and personal behavior. We will be mindful of the privilege to serve our fellow Americans.

Courage:
"I will support and defend ..." Accordingly, we will have: courage to meet the demands of our profession and the mission when it is hazardous, demanding, or otherwise difficult; Make decisions in the best interest of the navy and the nation, without regard to personal consequences; Meet these challenges while adhering to a higher standard of personal conduct and decency; Be loyal to our nation, ensuring the resources entrusted to us are used in an honest, careful, and efficient way. Courage is the value that gives us the moral and mental strength to do what is right, even in the face of personal or professional adversity.

Commitment:
"I will obey the orders ..." Accordingly, we will: Demand respect up and down the chain of command; Care for the safety, professional, personal and spiritual well-being of our people; Show respect toward all people without regard to race, religion, or gender; Treat each individual with human dignity; Be committed to positive change and constant improvement; Exhibit the highest degree of moral character, technical excellence, quality and competence in what we have been trained to do. The day-to-day duty of every Navy man and woman is to work together as a team to improve the quality of our work, our people and ourselves.

 

These are the CORE VALUES of the United States Navy.