Naval History and Heritage Command

Finding aid (PDF)

Historical Note

From the Sea emerged from a changing world political and military situation following the breakup of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. It was developed by the Navy's Plans, Policy, and Operations Division (OP-06B) as the Navy's response to what President Bill Clinton called a "fundamental shift in national security policy."

With the end of the Cold War, the Navy's operational paradigm for the past 50 years became obsolete. Rather than facing a global war against the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact powers, most threats to U.S. national interests and security were now regional and isolated. In From the Sea, the Navy defined a new strategic concept, shifting its attention from blue-water combat in the open ocean to littoral warfare and joint operations with other services. A new emphasis was placed on C3 (command, control, and communication), surveillance, battlespace dominance, power projection, and force sustainment as the keys to successful operations in regional and littoral conflicts. Officially promulgated in 1992, From the Sea proved controversial, but became both a guidepost and a source for discussion that shaped Navy policy throughout the 1990s.

Scope and Content Note

The material in this collection was assembled by Rear Admiral James D. Cossey. Cossey was commissioned in May 1959, following his graduation from the NROTC program at the University of Oklahoma. He served on the destroyer escort USS Basilone and USSStalwart until 1963, when he was assigned to Nuclear Power Training and Submarine School. He served on the submarines USSNarwhal and Henry Clay, and commanded USS Snook for 3 years. Following his command of Snook, Cossey served in a number of shore billets, including Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and two tours in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. During his final assignment, Assistant Deputy CNO for Plans, Policy, and Operations (OP-06B), Cossey participated in the development of From the Sea.

This collection contains working papers and drafts created during the development of From the Sea. All of the material in this collection is from 1992, though in some cases the exact date is not specified. The collection is divided into three series.

The Working Papers series contains notes and outlines used in writing From the Sea and presentations to Navy and government officials.

The Drafts series, March-October 1992, holds drafts of the White Paper that became From the Sea. This series is arranged chronologically, with two undated items at the end.

In the Correspondence series, July-September 1992, are memos written for Rear Admiral Baker and the Secretary of the Navy. The memos are arranged chronologically.

Preferred Citation

This collection should be cited as Working Papers and Drafts for From the Sea, Archives Branch, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C.