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)".12 Such descriptions can appear in the media as well.34 "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
References
References
- "PCU Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Welcomes 60 New Crew Members" (Press release). Navy News Service. 6 June 2013. NNS130606-12. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- "PCU Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Begins Builder's Sea Trials". navy.mil.
- "Navy accepted the carrier Ford into the fleet, with commissioning set for this summer". navytimes.com. June 2017.
- "New aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford rescues sailor". chicagotribune.com. 14 April 2017.
- "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.
- "Milpersman 1306-802, Surface Ships Undergoing Construction/Conversion" (PDF). United States Navy. 27 April 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 15, 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2016.