---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have the smallest navy since 1916, we…"
description: "\"We have the smallest navy since 1916, we have the lowest number of troops since the end of the Second World War. We've got to work with the congress an..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/mike-pence-577_american-strength_we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we_270079.png"
---

#  We have the smallest navy since 1916, we have the lowest…

![“We have the smallest navy since 1916, we have the lowest number of troops since the end of the Second World War. We've got to work with the congress and Donald Trump will, to rebuild our military and project American strength in the world.” quote by Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/mike-pence-577_american-strength_we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we_270079.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/mike-pence-577_american-strength_we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we_270079.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/mike-pence-577_american-strength_we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we_270079.png)

> “We have the smallest navy since 1916, we have the lowest number of troops since the end of the Second World War. We've got to work with the congress and Donald Trump will, to rebuild our military and project American strength in the world.”

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker claims the U.S. military is at historic lows and urges political cooperation to rebuild strength.

**In simple terms:** U.S. military is weak; needs rebuilding.

Key Takeaway

Support rebuilding and bipartisan cooperation.

Themes

military politics leadership national security

Mood

concerned determined

Type

political strategic

When to use this quote

- policy making
- budget hearings
- public statements
- strategic planning

Key Concepts

defense spending strategic planning political negotiation

Questions to Reflect On

- How can bipartisan support be achieved?
- What are the risks of delayed rebuilding?

A Different Perspective

Challenges include political opposition and budget constraints.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[American strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-strength/) [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Navy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/navy/) [Second world war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-world-war/) [Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War of the worlds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-of-the-worlds/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-war/)

## Related quotes

> [The Russians and the Chinese have been making enormous investments in the military. We have the smallest Navy since 1916. We have the lowest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-russians-and-the-chinese-have-been-making-enormous-investments-in/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The number one priority of President Trump is to rebuild our military, to restore the arsenal of democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-number-one-priority-of-president-trump-is-to-rebuild-our-military/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [We must either reduce the number of our engagements or increase the number of our troops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/we-must-either-reduce-the-number-of-our-engagements-or-increase-the/)

[Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/)

> [The question is always how you get the number of troops needed. They do not have to be coalition forces. We also have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/the-question-is-always-how-you-get-the-number-of-troops-needed-they/)

[David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/)

> [The provocations by Russia need to be met with American strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-provocations-by-russia-need-to-be-met-with-american-strength/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [We've just got to have American strength on the world stage. When Donald Trump becomes president of the United States, the Russians and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/we-ve-just-got-to-have-american-strength-on-the-world-stage-when/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [I just have to tell you that the provocations by Russia need to be met with American strength. And if Russia chooses to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-just-have-to-tell-you-that-the-provocations-by-russia-need-to-be/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [Our enemies will respond only to American strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/our-enemies-will-respond-only-to-american-strength/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [We're going to rebuild our military. Our military is depleted. Our military is frankly, our military is in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-re-going-to-rebuild-our-military-our-military-is-depleted-our/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [We are going to repeal the Obama-Clinton defense sequester and we are going to rebuild the military of the United States which is very,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-are-going-to-repeal-the-obama-clinton-defense-sequester-and-we-are/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [Under the Barack Obama rules, if you wanted to help the military, if you wanted a pay raise for the soldiers, if you wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/under-the-barack-obama-rules-if-you-wanted-to-help-the-military-if/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [Accomplishing this missile rebuild and our military retooling will be a 50-state effort. Every state in the union will be able to take part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/accomplishing-this-missile-rebuild-and-our-military-retooling-will-be/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [As Americans we've gotta make sure that we begin to rebuild and get our military the resources they need to defend us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-cheney/as-americans-we-ve-gotta-make-sure-that-we-begin-to-rebuild-and-get/)

[Liz Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-cheney/)

> [Restoring the people's voice in Congress is not just one part of our Better Way agenda, it's the most important part. Unless people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/restoring-the-people-s-voice-in-congress-is-not-just-one-part-of-our/)

[Cathy McMorris Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/)

> [Regarding national security, we need to restore the defense cuts of Barack Obama to rebuild our military, to destroy ISIS before it destroys us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/regarding-national-security-we-need-to-restore-the-defense-cuts-of/)

[Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/)

## More by Mike Pence

> [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [There's overwhelming evidence... circumstantial and otherwise, to suggest a connection between Iraq and al Qaeda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/there-s-overwhelming-evidence-circumstantial-and-otherwise-to-suggest/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [America is stronger than Russia. Our economy is 16 times larger than the Russian economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/america-is-stronger-than-russia-our-economy-is-16-times-larger-than/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The government competes in the private sector the way an alligator competes with a duck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-government-competes-in-the-private-sector-the-way-an-alligator/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The so-called 'Employee Free Choice Act' envisions a world where workers would be denied privacy and forced to vote in an atmosphere of intimidation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-so-called-employee-free-choice-act-envisions-a-world-where/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [People are tired of being told that this is as good as it gets. They hear in Donald Trump someone who says, 'We can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/people-are-tired-of-being-told-that-this-is-as-good-as-it-gets-they/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [ I think Donald Trump will articulate what we do with the people \[immigrants\] who are here. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-think-donald-trump-will-articulate-what-we-do-with-the-people/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [People in both parties are restless for change, ready to break free of old patterns in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/people-in-both-parties-are-restless-for-change-ready-to-break-free-of/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [I opposed the Medicare prescription drug entitlement. I opposed the Wall Street bailout. I opposed the stimulus bill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-opposed-the-medicare-prescription-drug-entitlement-i-opposed-the/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [I joked at our National Convention that our party was nominating a candidate for president who was charismatic, larger than life, memorable, so they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-joked-at-our-national-convention-that-our-party-was-nominating-a/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [I'm not sure that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama know that we're at war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-m-not-sure-that-hillary-clinton-and-barack-obama-know-that-we-re-at/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The state of Indiana has also sought to make sure we expand alternatives in healthcare counseling for women, non-abortion alternatives, and I'm also very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-state-of-indiana-has-also-sought-to-make-sure-we-expand/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [If you want real change, if you want a stronger America at home and abroad and an America that cherishes our highest ideals, head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/if-you-want-real-change-if-you-want-a-stronger-america-at-home-and/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [You know, Hoosiers recognize pork when we see it. And they recognize what bailing out every failing business in America means - We're burying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/you-know-hoosiers-recognize-pork-when-we-see-it-and-they-recognize/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The heroes of my childhood were Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy... but I was inspired by the ideals of our 40th…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-heroes-of-my-childhood-were-martin-luther-king-jr-and-john-f/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

[Explore all 466 Mike Pence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

## More American strength quotes

> [I believe as well that - that American strength is - is essential economic strength, family and value strength, military strength is essential for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-believe-as-well-that-that-american-strength-is-is-essential/)

[Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/)

> [The wisest use of American strength is to advance freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-wisest-use-of-american-strength-is-to-advance-freedom/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air, the fragrance of the grass, they speak to me. The summit of the mountain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chief-dan-george/the-beauty-of-the-trees-the-softness-of-the-air-the-fragrance-of-the/)

[Chief Dan George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chief-dan-george/)

> [The provocations by Russia need to be met with American strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-provocations-by-russia-need-to-be-met-with-american-strength/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [What are the symbols of American strength, wealth, power and modernity? Certainly not jazz and rock and roll, not chewing-gum or hamburgers, Broadway or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/what-are-the-symbols-of-american-strength-wealth-power-and-modernity/)

[Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/)

> [When fraternities are not allowed, Communism flourishes. Young men who are inexperienced but have faith are more useful than older, experienced men without faith.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-goldwater/when-fraternities-are-not-allowed-communism-flourishes-young-men-who/)

[Barry Goldwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-goldwater/)

> [My American strength coach said he liked me better before I could speak English.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/my-american-strength-coach-said-he-liked-me-better-before-i-could/)

[Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/)

> [I think it's really a sign of great American strength that we do invest the money we do in technology, in these hard projects,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-grunsfeld/i-think-it-s-really-a-sign-of-great-american-strength-that-we-do/)

[John M. Grunsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-grunsfeld/)

> [I just have to tell you that the provocations by Russia need to be met with American strength. And if Russia chooses to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-just-have-to-tell-you-that-the-provocations-by-russia-need-to-be/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [Our enemies will respond only to American strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/our-enemies-will-respond-only-to-american-strength/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [We must effectively counter Moscow's attempts at influence with American strength and resolve, certainly not with a weak approach to President Putin or with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-lipinski/we-must-effectively-counter-moscow-s-attempts-at-influence-with/)

[Dan Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-lipinski/)

> [Nothing symbolizes American strength and vigor more than another unaccountable Washington bureaucrat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-malkin/nothing-symbolizes-american-strength-and-vigor-more-than-another/)

[Michelle Malkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-malkin/)

> [The Russians and the Chinese have been making enormous investments in the military. We have the smallest Navy since 1916. We have the lowest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-russians-and-the-chinese-have-been-making-enormous-investments-in/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [We've just got to have American strength on the world stage. When Donald Trump becomes president of the United States, the Russians and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/we-ve-just-got-to-have-american-strength-on-the-world-stage-when/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

[Browse all 15 American strength quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-strength/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "We have the smallest navy since 1916, we have the lowest number of troops since the end of the Second World War. We've got to work with the congress and Donald Trump will, to rebuild our military and project American strength in the world.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mike Pence"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we-have-the-lowest-number-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "American strength"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we-have-the-lowest-number-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/mike-pence-577_american-strength_we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we_270079.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/mike-pence-577_american-strength_we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we_270079.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/mike-pence-577_american-strength_we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we_270079.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We have the smallest navy since 1916, we have the lowest number of troops since the end of the Second World…” — Mike Pence",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Mike Pence",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "We have the smallest navy since...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we-have-the-lowest-number-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/we-have-the-smallest-navy-since-1916-we-have-the-lowest-number-of/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
