Wausau Native Serving Aboard USS Boxer

Friday, August 26th, 2022 -- 10:00 AM

A native of Wausau serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Boxer, which is homeported in San Diego.

Fireman Apprentice Caden Graff, a 2021 D C Everest Senior High School graduate, joined the Navy one year ago. “I joined the Navy because I knew that the military teaches you a lot of valuable job skills,” said Graff. “I also joined because I wanted to be the first in my family to serve in the Navy. I have a long family history in the military, but none of them served in the Navy.”

Today, Graff serves as an electrician's mate. An electrician's mate is responsible for repairing and maintaining electrical equipment aboard the ship. Graff relies upon skills and values from lessons learned in Wausau to succeed in the military.

Boxer, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, commissioned Feb. 11, 1995, and is the sixth U.S. ship to bear the name. The ship recently completed a scheduled maintenance availability and is preparing for upcoming operations.

Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines. Amphibious assault ships transfer Marines, equipment and supplies and can support helicopters or other aircraft, according to Navy officials.

They also are capable of accessing 75 percent of the world’s beaches. Serving in the Navy means Graff is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.

More than 90 percent of all trade travels by sea, and fiber optic cables on the ocean floor carry 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic. Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to ready sailors and a strong Navy.

Sailors like Graff have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service. As Graff and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

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