Pre-commissioning unit (PRECOMUNIT or PCU) is a designation used by the United States Navy to describe vessels under construction prior to their official commissioning.[1] For example, prior to her commissioning, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) had been described by the Navy as " PCU Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)".[1][2] Such descriptions can appear in the media as well.[3][4] "PCU" is a temporary, descriptive term, and is not a ship prefix or a part of the ship's official name. Until they are commissioned, U.S. Navy vessels are officially identified by their given name and hull number, such as Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).[5]

A "PCU" is also the entity that the ships staff is assigned to for training while the ship is being constructed and fitted-out. Prior to reporting to the ship, sailors will report to a PCU at one of two fleet training centers, located at either Naval Station Norfolk or Naval Base San Diego.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "PCU Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Welcomes 60 New Crew Members" (Press release). Navy News Service. 6 June 2013. NNS130606-12. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  2. ^ "PCU Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Begins Builder's Sea Trials". navy.mil.
  3. ^ "Navy accepted the carrier Ford into the fleet, with commissioning set for this summer". navytimes.com. June 2017.
  4. ^ "New aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford rescues sailor". chicagotribune.com. 14 April 2017.
  5. ^ "Ship Naming in the United States Navy". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 9 January 2020. The prefix "USS," meaning "United States Ship," is used in official documents to identify a commissioned ship of the Navy. It applies to a ship while she is in commission. Before commissioning, or after decommissioning, she is referred to by name, with no prefix.
  6. ^ "Milpersman 1306-802, Surface Ships Undergoing Construction/Conversion" (PDF). United States Navy. 27 April 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
Categories