Indicates the department (e.g., "N" for Navy).
π― Fun fact: If a ship changes homeport or mission, it often gets a β even if the hull number stays the same. navy uic code list
| Code Type | Length | Used For | Example | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 6 (Alpha-Numeric) | Manpower, Structure, Pay | N64498 (NAVSEA) | | DoDAAC | 6 (Alpha-Numeric) | Supply, Shipping, Invoicing | N64498 (Often identical to UIC) | | UNITAS | 4 (Numeric) | Legacy / Budget accounting (mostly phased out) | 1234 | | Hull Number | Variable (Letter+Number) | Operational identification (non-administrative) | DDG-51 | Indicates the department (e
In the sprawling bureaucracy of the United States Navy, where fleets span the globe and millions of moving parts require precise coordination, chaos is kept at bay by a simple, rigid system of identification. While ships have names like USS Nimitz or USS Arleigh Burke , and sailors have ranks and service numbers, the infrastructure that supports them runs on a silent, alphanumeric language: the Unit Identification Code (UIC). While ships have names like USS Nimitz or
The Navy Budget Guidance Manual often contains tables for budget-submitting office (BSO) codes linked to UICs. FLTMPS (Fleet Management and Planning System):
While a ship is a massive physical asset, the "command" aboard that ship is an administrative entity that requires funding, manpower, and supplies. The UIC is the tag that ensures the right people get paid, the right parts are delivered, and the right command is held accountable for its budget.