Each year on March 3rd, we celebrate the creation of America’s Navy Reserve branch of our Armed Forces. Since its establishment in 1915, the United States Navy Reserve has been providing the U.S. Navy with the operational capabilities needed to successfully carry out its mission of maintaining freedom of the seas both at home and abroad.

Think you’re an expert on all things naval? Read on to find out how many of these Navy Reserve facts and trivia you know!

1. The U.S. Naval Reserve – Renamed the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2005 – Was Officially Established on March 3, 1915

The Reserve was created in anticipation of the U.S. involvement in World War I. Once the nation declared war on Germany two years later, its approximately 8,000 reservists were quickly put to work, many of them tasked with hunting German U-boats. By the end of WWI, the Navy Reserve had grown to nearly 250,000 reservists and made up 54% of the American naval force at that time.

2. “Citizen Sailors” Have Been Serving Since the Revolutionary War

While the Navy Reserve was not founded until the 20th century, unofficial forces have supported U.S. naval efforts since the 1700s. During the Revolutionary War, tens of thousands of patriotic citizens were provided with a “Letter of Marque,” which authorized American merchant ships to disrupt the paths of British ships and harass them. Technically, these “citizen sailors” were not a part of the Continental Navy, but because they served as a supportive force to the Navy’s efforts during the war. Today, the Navy Reserve unofficially considers these bold revolutionaries to be their forbearers.

3. The Navy Reserve Played a Major Role in World War II

With the onset of World War II, there was a need for fighting forces, with approximately 16 million Americans serving in the war. Under such dire circumstances, tens of thousands of men and women answered the call to serve and joined the Navy Reserve which made up 84% of the Navy at that time.

4. Enlistees Go to the Navy’s Only Bootcamp

Eligible enlistees in the Navy Reserve must complete their basic training at the U.S. Navy’s only bootcamp, Recruit Training Command (RTC), in Great Lakes, Illinois. Along with active-duty Navy enlisted recruits, RTC graduates approximately 40,000 total recruits each year.

5. The Navy Reserve Has Had Some Notable Reservists in its Ranks

Throughout its 100+ year history, the Navy Reserve has had several notable reservists in its ranks, including 5 future presidents of the United States (John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush), 15 Medal of Honor recipients, and even the late Bob Barker, longtime gameshow host of “The Price is Right.”