Col. (ret.) Susan Seaman Boré

U.S. Marine Corps

Susan retired from the Marine Corps in 2016 after 27 years of active duty. A native of Columbia, Maryland, she was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 1989 following graduation from the United States Naval Academy.

Her last assignment was as the Chief of Global Force Sourcing, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this role she developed the plan for the distribution of the nation’s entire conventional military forces based on strategic guidance and risk analysis. The plan she and her team developed was approved annually by the Secretary of Defense and carried out by the combatant commanders.

Colonel Seaman commanded two battalions and served in several overseas combat operations including the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The majority of her career was spent in the operational forces, leading and supporting Marines. Initially trained as a manpower officer she served with numerous ground combat units in the Marine Corps as well as with air wing and logistics units.

Alternating between operational duties, Colonel Seaman’s staff assignments included a tour as the Junior Aide-de-Camp to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the military legislative assistant in the Office of Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, U.S. Senator of Maryland. She also worked at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps in the Programs and Resources Department developing the Marine Corps budget.

Susan and her family have lived in Norfolk for ten years. Locally she is the chair of the City of Norfolk NATO Festival and was President of the World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads for four years from 2022-2026. She has also been active on the boards of director of the Blocker Family YMCA and with Valor Run, which honors the women who gave their lives during combat operations since 9/11. She is a member of the local Alliance Française and coaches youth swimming. She enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Recently she and her family took a 5-month trip across the United States and gained a deep appreciation for the diversity, geography, history and bounty of our nation.

Education
B.S. (History) United States Naval Academy, 1989
The Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, Congressional Studies Program, 2002
College of Naval Command and Staff, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI, 2003