[5][6][7] Upon her commissioning, the ship was given the motto that is thought to have been spoken by the brothers when asked to separate during World War II, "We Stick Together."

[7] After completing two days of gunnery trials in mid-May, The Sullivans embarked upon her shakedown deployment to the West Indies on 27 May.

That cruise took her to the waters off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where the destroyer conducted numerous sonar, gunnery, and torpedo exercises.

On 29 June, The Sullivans conducted test firings of Standard SM-2 ER missiles from her vertical launch system (VLS).

The shipyard repainted the hull, altered the superstructure, and installed equipment upgrades in the engineering plant and combat systems suite.

[7] In January 1998, the crew of The Sullivans began a series of exercises designed "to build the capability for long-term self-sustained training onboard."

[7] Following a week-long port visit, The Sullivans got underway on 26 May for Halifax, Nova Scotia, to conduct training workups for the upcoming Exercise "Unified Spirit '98."

Ships from Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal also participated in the exercise.

[7] After port visits in the Persian Gulf, The Sullivans returned through the Mediterranean Sea to her homeport in April 2000, successfully completing her first six-month deployment.

After participating in BEACHFEST at Port Canaveral, Florida, The Sullivans underwent a major maintenance overhaul to prepare for future operations.

[12] In February 2002 The Sullivans deployed with the John F. Kennedy Carrier battle group to the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

[15][16] On 18 August 2013, The Sullivans provided medical assistance to an ill mariner on board the merchant vessel MV Abir Alqaray No.

[citation needed] On 14 September 2020, it was announced that The Sullivans would be part of HMS Queen Elizabeth's Task Group for the GROUPEX and Joint Warrior exercises.

The five interlaced swords honor the five Sullivan brothers killed in action during World War II and commemorate their spirit of teamwork and patriotism.