Everyone knows USS stands for United States Ship. It’s a military ship w/ a military crew. Sounds good So if you see a ship designated USNS, such as the USNS Laramie (T-AO 203) (seen below), you ask yourself, “what is she?” A ship designated USNS is a United States Naval Ship with the USN’s Military Sealift Command (MSC). MSC ships refuel & resupply US Navy ships. They also are US Navy owned ships with a civilian crew, with some military personnel aboard. You can also quickly identify them via their blue & yellow bands around their stacks. Have a great day & a great week…