Boxer Sailors Help Communicate Maritime Strategy to Business Leaders

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Eight USS Boxer (LHD 4) Sailors represented U.S. Naval Surface Forces at the 2008 American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) gathering Aug. 16, to showcase the Navy's role in the San Diego economy to executives from around the world.

Sailors throughout the fleet have been conducting similar communication outreach initiatives in "Conversation with the Country," meetings with senior community leaders around the nation designed to communicate the U.S. Maritime Strategy and create awareness and discussions with the American public.

The event provided Boxer Sailors a venue to communicate the strategy by educating more than 5,000 executives on the ship's recent role in the humanitarian civic assistance mission Continuing Promise 2008, where Boxer spent two months in Central and South America providing medical and engineering assistance to Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru.

The ASAE event was designed to recognize the five key areas of San Diego's economy including the Navy.

"I like the opportunity to talk to them about our unique experiences," said Boxer's Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW/FMF) Richard C. Gold. "It's nice to be able to relate to them. The Navy is so big and so diverse in San Diego that we can provide a good cross section of America and really connect with them."

The U.S. Maritime Strategy emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests. Events like the ASAE gathering provide the Navy an opportunity to communicate directly to influential business leaders.

"Simply being here and having a presence makes a difference," said Capt. Matt Brown, Navy Region Southwest public affairs officer, while thanking the Boxer Sailors for attending the event. "Your time here today pays huge dividends in showing the lasting partnership between the City of San Diego and the Navy to an audience that normally doesn't get to see what we do."

For many executives, the visit to San Diego offered their first encounter with the Navy and its Sailors, and many offered gratitude for the Sailor's sacrifices.

"It's nice to see how appreciative these leaders are of our service," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (SW/AW) David Dobbins. "I'm glad we can provide them with a unique outlook on the Navy and what we do."

Boxer is undergoing maintenance to prepare the ship for future operations.

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