Why navies struggle to explain their value

James Cable's background as an army officer and diplomat illustrates how naval theorists can develop communication skills outside naval service. Life at sea can make sailors forget how unfamiliar the maritime world is to citizens ashore. Passing through dense traffic at Gibraltar or Malacca gives a naval professional experiences that a civilian audience cannot be assumed to share. Jargon and acronyms add difficulty, alongside assumptions that readers already understand why the oceans matter. An official social-media post can make sense to serving personnel while leaving an inland reader unsure what it means. Attractive images of ships and aircraft also do little to explain what a nation gains from maintaining a navy.