Vice Admiral Boxall was commissioned in 1984 and went on to become a surface warfare officer whose time in the navy included the commander of carrier strike Group 3 aboard the USS John C Stennis. He had command of the USS Lake Erie the USS Carney and was the executive officer of the USS Hue city. He served tours as a combat systems officer aboard the USS Simpson and the USS Ramage and was a division officer on the USS Merrell and USS Kinkaid. Currently, he is serving as the director for force structure resources and assessment which is the J8 on the joint staff.