Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, 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, Duffy will join other business leaders in an intense week-long agenda from June 10-16, 2018, engaging with senior military officials and U.S. Service members.  In addition to visiting key military installations and participating in tactical training exercises, she will gain a better understanding of the roles and mission of the U.S. Armed Forces; their skills, capabilities and equipment employed in defense of our nation.

“I’m honored to be selected to participate in this prestigious program and I’m looking forward to getting an in-depth look at how our military operates and the tremendous skills and passion of the thousands of men and women who serve our country proudly,” said Duffy.

The JCOC program is directly linked to the Department of Defense’s new initiative, This Is Your Military.  The goal of this initiative is to educate and accurately inform the American public on the military's relevance, innovativeness and how it is a force for good.  It also seeks to introduce the American public to those who currently serve, and dispel common misperceptions about the military.

“Carnival Cruise Line has a strong relationship with our Armed Forces, including coordination with the Navy and Coast Guard on maritime safety, the recognition ceremonies of our service men and women that are a popular tradition on all Carnival cruises, and support of Operation Homefront and our military families,” said Vice Admiral William Burke (Ret.), Chief Maritime Officer for Carnival Corporation. “This experience will provide even greater insight for Christine into the capabilities and expertise of our Armed Forces and how Carnival can continue to strengthen its partnership and support.”

The objective of the JCOC public liaison program is to help bridge the growing 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 opinion leaders who have spent time with their military.