Galrahn at Information Dissemination discusses a Navy domestic “influence operation.” I’ve referred to this outreach before, noting the Hodes Amendment would prevent such activities. Galrahn suggests preventing this might be a good thing, at least in the absence of a strategic purpose.
The “Conversations with the Country” became random seminars in various cities for the purpose of involving the American people in the discussion of the Navy and maritime strategy. It was never intended to influence the development of the strategy, we learned that here and here (PDF) which exposed the process for what it was: a think tank process that ultimately avoided as many strategic issues as it embraced. The "Conversations with the Country" were essentially intended to be a marketing strategy to connect with the American people with the intent of teaching the Navy’s role towards the national interest, and expanding an understanding of why the Navy is important to the nation. This outreach marketing attempt to engage the population can only be described as a total failure.
