By Mr. Dusty Good, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2009 River Ridge High School graduate and Lacey, Washington, native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Assault Craft Unit TWO (ACU 2), one of the Navy’s most advanced amphibious warfare units.
A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for ensuring all supplies to meet mission readiness are available.
“My job allows me to always know what's going on,” said Boice. "You can't complete the mission without supplies, so I'm involved in all aspects."
Boice credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in his hometown of Lacey.
“My hometown taught me that sometimes it's not what you know but who you know,” said Boice. "The Navy is so large that you can't know every little bit of information so knowing the right person to talk to correct an issue is important."
ACU 2 is one of the components of Naval Beach Group TWO (NBG 2).
Commissioned in 1948, just after World War II, NBG 2 trains and equips military forces for deployment overseas. Sailors with NBG 2 serve a vital role in the Navy our nation needs by ensuring that amphibious operations remain ready to defend and protect America at all times.
ACU 2 operates landing craft, which are specialized to transport personnel and equipment from surface ships to shore. The LCU is a displacement craft capable of carrying a payload of more than 170 tons. The LCU can be used to transport weapons systems, cargo and personnel of Marine assault units. The current LCU fleet has been in naval service since the late 1960s. Gun mounts on the craft can support .50 Cal machine guns, M240 machine guns, and 40mm grenade launchers.
The exercises and real-world operations that ACU 2 sailors participate in include evacuation of American citizens from a hostile territory, delivery of food and medical supplies after a natural disaster, and many other tasks that involve movement from ships off-shore to the beach, according to Navy officials.
"I like that this command is very much staying true to the old school Navy,” said Boice. "We deliver sailors and marines to the shore. You have to dominate to be able to accomplish the mission."
Jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the command running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from operating boats to maintaining engines and handling weaponry.
"The Sailors, Chiefs, and Officers of Assault Craft Unit 2 work in conjunction with other Naval Beach Group elements to grant our Amphibious Ships heavy lift and over-the-horizon, extended-duration ship-to-shore movement with the Landing Craft Utility and Maritime Pre-positioning Force boats,” said Cmdr. Thomas Mays, commanding officer, Assault Craft Unit 2. “We are proud to do our part in the Navy-Marine Corps team to project power or provide sustained assistance as needed around the world."
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Boice is most proud of completing a successful deployment to Afghanistan.
“You deploy for six months in a hostile country and deal with an extreme environment,” said Boice. "I came home without losing a buddy and that trumps everything else I've ever accomplished."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Boice said they he has found many great rewards.
“The Navy is filled with people,” said Boice. "We might have a strict rank structure, but at the end of the day we are just a bunch of people serving our country."
“My job allows me to always know what's going on,” said Boice. "You can't complete the mission without supplies, so I'm involved in all aspects."
Boice credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in his hometown of Lacey.
“My hometown taught me that sometimes it's not what you know but who you know,” said Boice. "The Navy is so large that you can't know every little bit of information so knowing the right person to talk to correct an issue is important."
ACU 2 is one of the components of Naval Beach Group TWO (NBG 2).
Commissioned in 1948, just after World War II, NBG 2 trains and equips military forces for deployment overseas. Sailors with NBG 2 serve a vital role in the Navy our nation needs by ensuring that amphibious operations remain ready to defend and protect America at all times.
ACU 2 operates landing craft, which are specialized to transport personnel and equipment from surface ships to shore. The LCU is a displacement craft capable of carrying a payload of more than 170 tons. The LCU can be used to transport weapons systems, cargo and personnel of Marine assault units. The current LCU fleet has been in naval service since the late 1960s. Gun mounts on the craft can support .50 Cal machine guns, M240 machine guns, and 40mm grenade launchers.
The exercises and real-world operations that ACU 2 sailors participate in include evacuation of American citizens from a hostile territory, delivery of food and medical supplies after a natural disaster, and many other tasks that involve movement from ships off-shore to the beach, according to Navy officials.
"I like that this command is very much staying true to the old school Navy,” said Boice. "We deliver sailors and marines to the shore. You have to dominate to be able to accomplish the mission."
Jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the command running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from operating boats to maintaining engines and handling weaponry.
"The Sailors, Chiefs, and Officers of Assault Craft Unit 2 work in conjunction with other Naval Beach Group elements to grant our Amphibious Ships heavy lift and over-the-horizon, extended-duration ship-to-shore movement with the Landing Craft Utility and Maritime Pre-positioning Force boats,” said Cmdr. Thomas Mays, commanding officer, Assault Craft Unit 2. “We are proud to do our part in the Navy-Marine Corps team to project power or provide sustained assistance as needed around the world."
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Boice is most proud of completing a successful deployment to Afghanistan.
“You deploy for six months in a hostile country and deal with an extreme environment,” said Boice. "I came home without losing a buddy and that trumps everything else I've ever accomplished."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Boice said they he has found many great rewards.
“The Navy is filled with people,” said Boice. "We might have a strict rank structure, but at the end of the day we are just a bunch of people serving our country."