The "Badger State" will host the world's greatest Navy during Milwaukee Navy Week, July 4-10, with a weeklong series of community and outreach events.

Navy Weeks focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects, in cities that don't have a large naval presence.

Historically, Navy Week events draw thousands of attendees to participate and create dialogue between Sailors and local residents.

"We hope to offer the wonderful city of Milwaukee an opportunity to see their Navy up close and personal," said Lt. Jason Fischer, lead planner of Milwaukee Navy Week. "Milwaukee has had strong ties to the Navy for many years, including supporting the recent commissioning of the USS Milwaukee (LCS 5). We hope to give the people here as many opportunities as possible to interact with Sailors and to continue to foster the relationship between the community and the Navy."

Rear Adm. Stephen Evans, commander, Naval Service Training Command, will be meeting with corporate, civic and government leaders throughout the week, including throwing out the first pitch at the Brewers game against the St. Louis Cardinals July 8.

"Navy Weeks are designed to give Americans the opportunity to learn about their Navy, its people and its importance to national security and prosperity," said Evans. "Naval Station Great Lakes, home to our Navy's only boot camp, is located only 60 miles from Milwaukee so it is important to promote the hard work and dedication of our Sailors in our neighboring communities."

Sailors from USS Milwaukee and the Navy Operational Support Center Milwaukee will participate in several community outreach events, including visits to local Boys and Girls Clubs.

The Navy Medicine ambassadors led by Milwaukee native Force Master Chief Terry J. Prince, director, Hospital Corps of Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, will also be in town supporting Navy Week events throughout the city.

According to Prince, the goal of Navy Medicine ambassadors is to foster ties and inform the community of career opportunities in Navy Medicine. Navy Medicine is a global health care network that provides world class health care to our Sailors, Marines, their families and veterans, in high operational-tempo environments, at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships and research units around the world.

"Because Navy Medicine personnel ensure the medical readiness of our Sailors and Marines, and health, fitness and medicine are a part of people's everyday life it creates an association, because it's directly pertinent to their lives," said Prince. "When I joined the Navy from Milwaukee, I had no idea where it would take me personally and professionally, but there really are a lot of comparisons between my hometown and Navy Medicine. There is a deep sense of commitment to take care of each other, to help others, to work hard and to do what is right."

Prince added Milwaukee has a close connection to the Navy, and the city's close proximity to Navy recruit training enables the city's residents more opportunities to grow that relationship.

"On any given weekend, newly graduated Sailors and their families drive here from Recruit Training Command Great Lakes to explore our great city and all it has to offer," said Prince. "It's important to add that staff members from Great Lakes reside in towns from North Chicago all the way to Milwaukee. Throughout this week's outreach events I hope Milwaukee citizens will see the valuable role Navy Medicine has in ensuring operational readiness, leading humanitarian missions, supporting the warfighter and their families, and providing medical care in dangerous and austere conditions. In return, I hope my hometown residents will recognize the potential career opportunities that exist for their children to serve in the world's greatest Navy."

Throughout the week, Navy Band Great Lakes will be participating in parades and performing on several stages in the Greater Milwaukee area, including Summer Fest. Their musicians will perform at the July 4 concert prior to fireworks at Humboldt Park, as well as other parks throughout Milwaukee County.

"The goal for our musicians is to raise awareness of the Navy and the Navy Week, and to entertain as many people as possible during the July 4 celebrations in Milwaukee," said Lt. Geordie Kelly, Navy Band Great Lakes bandmaster. "Additionally, we aim to bolster patriotism towards the United States, and local pride in the United States Navy here in the Midwest where the Navy has a smaller footprint."

In addition, Navy divers from Trident Refit Facility Kings Bay, Georgia, will participate in events throughout the week, from local Boys and Girls Clubs, to Discovery World Science and Technology Center to Navy Day at the Milwaukee Public Museum July 7.

Milwaukee Navy Week is the eighth of 15 Navy weeks in 2016 that focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

For a complete schedule and more information about Milwaukee Navy Week, visit http://www.outreach.navy.mil/.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.