The primary role of the U.S. Navy is to:

The primary role of the U.S. Navy is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea. This focus reflects the Navy's mission to maintain maritime security, deter aggression, and project power in various global environments. The Navy is specifically designed to engage in naval warfare, which encompasses not only combat operations against enemy forces but also the protection of vital sea lanes and the defense of national interests at sea.

While providing humanitarian assistance, supporting ground troops, and acting as a diplomatic force are important functions of the Navy, they are not its primary role. Humanitarian assistance typically complements military operations but falls outside the core mission of warfare and maritime security. Supporting ground troops is a function often associated with joint operations, and while it can be crucial, it does not fully encapsulate the Navy's primary focus. Acting as a diplomatic force is a part of the Navy's broader mission, particularly through presence operations that build partnerships, but it is secondary to the fundamental objective of combat readiness and operational capabilities at sea. This distinction underscores why conducting combat operations remains central to the Navy's purpose.