Navy ‘Fun Boss’ to Speak at Penn State on Friday

Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Department alumni Josh Watson returns to Penn State on Friday as part of the RPTM Alumni Speaker Series.

The presentation starts at 3:30 p.m. in 808 Ford Building and is open to the public.

A 2009 graduate of Penn State, Watson currently serves as the Director of Recreation, which earns him the title ‘Fun Boss’ on the USS George H.W. Bush naval aircraft carrier. Watson is responsible for planning and implementing morale-building activities for the more than 5,000 servicemen and women serving on the warship.

Watson is originally from Montoursville, Pa., and the fanatic Pittsburgh sports fan, enrolled at Penn State after serving for six years in the US Army.

During his military service, Watson attained the rank of Staff Sergeant with the US Army’s 173 Airborne Brigadewhile serving in Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Afghanistan and Iraq. Watson organized recreation activities and beach trips for fellow soldiers between deployments.

After completing and internship with Navy MWR in Key West, Watson worked with the SEAL team and then joined the civilian staff on the USS George H.W. Bush, where he did everything from overseeing the onboard Starbucks to scheduling tours in port or basketball games in the hangar bay to provide fun for the men and women on deployment.

Penn State will play Navy at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Beaver Stadium.