EVERETT – Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin has been selected to participate in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC) hosted by the Secretary of Defense. The JCOC program is the oldest and most prestigious public liaison program in the Department of Defense.
As a JCOC participant, Franklin in June will spend several days at military installations, engaging with senior military officials and U.S. Service members. In addition to participating in tactical training exercises, the program is designed to give participants a better understanding of the roles and mission of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as their skills, capabilities and equipment employed in the defense of our nation.
"The JCOC program is a great opportunity for those interested in gaining a thorough understanding of our military's role in national defense,” said Capt. Mark Lakamp, commanding officer at Naval Station Everett. “We congratulate Mayor Franklin on her selection and participation in this year's program, out of more than 230 nominees across the Department of Defense.”
The JCOC program is directly linked to the Department of Defense’s new initiative, This Is Your Military. The objective of the program is to help bridge the military-civilian divide by:
- Educating and informing participants about the strength and readiness of the U.S. Armed Forces through personal observation of Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard operations.
- Providing a better understanding of the rewards of military service.
- Providing the American public opportunities to obtain a better understanding of national defense policies and programs through the eyes of leaders who have spent time with their military.
