 "Forged By The Sea" represents the Navy as a team that has been tempered and toughened over 242 years of maritime dominance as well as a Sailor’s journey in uniform, shaping and strengthening them into a more capable version of themselves.
Beginning in 1973, the end of the draft shifted the Navy and the rest of the military to an all-volunteer force initiating the competition between the branches to find the best-qualified applicants.
The Navy’s slogans since 1973 have been “Be Someone Special”, “Navy. It’s Not Just A Job, It’s An Adventure”, “Live The Adventure”, “You are tomorrow; You are the Navy”, “You and the Navy-Full Speed Ahead”, “Let The Journey Begin”, “Navy, Accelerate Your Life” and “America’s Navy – A Global Force For Good,” which shifted the Navy’s slogan from its focus on recruiting and more toward the brand of the fleet.
As the Navy team evolves toward a more technologically advanced future, spearheaded by the commissioning of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), so too have the Sailors. Many who joined under different eras have been trained, tested and proven to encompass that which a 21st century Sailor represents.
“ I joined under ‘Let the Journey Begin,’” said Chief Quartermaster Tyrone Anthony. “ I loved it because, at the time, that is what I wanted out of life. I wanted a sense of adventure. I wanted to see the world. I think the new slogan is perfect because, as a chief, I’ve not only gotten to see how my life has been shaped by the Navy, but also how it sculpts junior Sailors as they grow into themselves as leaders.” 
January 6, 2017 – Chief Quartermaster Tyrone Anthony, assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during a frocking ceremony of a fellow sailor. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan Carter)
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For some Sailors it requires a bit of perspective to see how much they have developed.
“You don’t really realize how much you have matured until you go home on leave and everything is different,” said Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Kennarye Blackshear. “To see the same people and friends doing the same things they were doing when you left makes you thankful and grateful for how far you’ve come in life. It makes you proud to be a Navy Sailor, to be able to show everybody what you can contribute to your country.”
For some, it wasn’t a desire to start a journey or an escape to something better that inspired them to serve, it was a sense of duty. Under an increased time of terror, some felt it was their duty to protect their home and the ones they love.
“ I joined under ‘The Shield’, if you remember, it was something along the lines of ‘to get to you they have to get through us,’” said Master-at-Arms Seaman Blaire Crawford. “That really resonated with me and I wanted to do my part to prevent terror attacks in the states. I clearly took that to heart because I became a Master-at-Arms to serve and protect.” 
December 11, 2017 - Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Blaire Crawford assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) security department, is presented a frocking letter by Capt. Richard McCormack, Ford’s commanding officer. Ford is underway conducting test and evaluation operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kiana Raines)
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The Navy has evolved over the last 242 years and it continues to offer boundless opportunities for personal and professional development. By U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kiana Raines
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