Surrounded by Sailors on the State Capitol steps, Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter read and signed a proclamation declaring it "Navy Week" in the state of Idaho to kick off the week-long outreach and awareness event, Monday.

Accepting the proclamation on behalf of the Navy was Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, commander, Navy Medicine West.

"We are excited to represent the U.S. Navy and what we to have to offer in the great state of Idaho," said Gillingham. "Navy Weeks are a great for the Navy to give back to communities and educate the public about the Navy's capabilities and mission."

Sailors from the Navy Operation Support Center Boise, Navy Band Northwest and Navy Recruiting District Portland all participated in the ceremony.

Boise Navy Week coincides with the Idaho State Fair, which will serve as the setting for several Navy assets including Navy Band Northwest, Navy Band Country Current, the Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team robots, bomb suits and a dive tank exhibit, as well as Navy Recruiting District's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) interactive display.

Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy's principal outreach effort into areas of the country without significant Navy presence, with 181 Navy Weeks held in 68 different U.S. cities. The program is designed to help Americans understand that their Navy is deployed around the world, around the clock, ready to defend America at all times.

Navy Weeks focus a variety of outreach assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements with key influencers and organizations representing all sectors of the market. During a Navy Week, 75-100 outreach events are coordinated with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service and diversity organizations in the city.

Boise Navy Week is one of 15 Navy Weeks being held across America in 2016.