From the Admiral
Recruiting Nation,
This is the last time I get to address you, in this forum, as your Commander. Two years go by really fast, especially when we have been working together as hard as we can to bring talented people into our Navy. Some of you have heard me refer to recruiting over these last two years as a “knife fight in a phone booth,” and I am thankful to have been in this phone booth and in this fight with all of you. I have learned a ton about the criticality of recruiting along the way and have grown immeasurably as a leader because you have demanded that I do so.
Our team has excelled in one of the most challenging recruiting environments in decades. What does excelling look like? It looks like 6,000 more contracts in FY23 than in FY22. It looks like improving production per recruiter from 0.61 to 0.70 in a year’s time, which is significant when you consider the environment and the number of recruiters involved. It looks like opening every policy aperture as widely as possible to enable those who meet our standards and are willing and able to serve, do so honorably. It looks like reimagining our operations and honestly self-assessing to identify areas of improvement, which resulted in the Recruiting Operations Center (ROC) and the daily focus on production. It looks like removing significant barriers wherever and whenever they presented themselves so that we could be as efficient and effective as possible. It looks like going back to the basics so that we could rebuild ourselves from an organization with high learning loss and personnel turnover during COVID to an organization that embraces continuous improvement in every facet of our business. It looks like the team of winners that you are.
It goes without saying that there is still much more to do, but I am absolutely confident that Recruiting Nation has the talent and motivation in place to get fully back to our winning ways and to start ringing bells again on a regular basis. Wherever I am when this happens, know that I will celebrate you then, as I do now.
Thank you for being determined professionals and wonderful teammates. I look forward to seeing you on the waterfront, and look forward to continuing to serve by your side.
Thank you.
Rear Adm. Alexis "Lex" Walker
A Message From the CMC
Recruiting Nation,
First, thank you. The continuous efforts and drive you show everyday are making a difference. The last two months have shown increased floor counts, contracts, and we are slowly closing the gap; each and every one of you recruiting is key to maintaining our Navy’s warfighting readiness and edge. The entire Navy is in our corner and assisting through the ESAR program. To date, over 300 commands have submitted leads to assist the recruiting mission. So again, thank you. Keep grinding out there and maintain that steady improvement.
I encourage you to continue growing both personally and professionally. One aspect of continual growth is attending the Navy Enlisted Leadership Development course (NELD). These interactive courses will further develop your leadership skills, character, decision making, self-awareness and ethics. These courses are also mandatory for advancement eligibility starting in CY25. If you have not yet attended, work with your COC to schedule your attendance.
Lastly, we continue to pull all levers we can like work policy and processes at the headquarters level to alleviate burdens at the deckplate to improve efficiency and quality of life. Don’t hesitate to provide feedback through your COC or suggestion box. Our mission of recruiting high caliber Sailors and manning the fleet is not getting easier. Be vigilant! Take care of your families, your shipmates, and yourself. Great work out there!
CMDCM Jeremy Konopka
A Message From the NCR
Recruiting Nation,
We are midway through FY24 and we cannot take our foot off the gas. We must continue increasing activity by focusing on our hot zip codes, high school canvassing plans, daily tangible goals and prospecting for quality to increase the number of applicants and COIs we interact with on a daily basis. This all starts with having an effective plan and maintaining a quality applicant log in order to move applicants from left to right. The All Services Accession Data (ASAD) has been updated. RinCs and DLCPOs, it is important that you analyze this to identify your target market centers and build an effective plan for your recruiters.
The ROC is operational and has been critical in removing barriers. I am pleased to see the amount of engagement we receive from the field in order to push priority applicants to the right. DPR has played a key role in our improvement process. It is critical to train, coach and mentor daily through the DPR process at every level. I expect all recruiters, RinCs, DLCPOs, ACRs, and CRs to perform DPR’s daily to ensure we are removing barriers and operating with urgency to increase floor counts. Using Microsoft Teams to DPR allows better visual engagement on Salesforce and makes DPR more effective.
Lastly, own what we can control. The nation depends on our hard work each day in order to man our fleet. Continue to reflect on the things we need to improve and celebrate the little wins daily that get us closer to achieving our mission. Recruit like a champion everyday!
See you at the top!
a word from chaps
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Don't forget to check the Recruiter eToolbox for videos, posters, and other resources from finding imagery databases for social media posts to downloadable classroom briefs and information on how to request the "Nimitz" virtual reality truck for your recruiting event. Tap the link below to view the NORU training videos and see what else is available to use on the Recruiter eToolbox.
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Blue Angels Schedule March - July 2024. For more info and the full schedule, tap the link below.
Here is a look at where the "Nimitz" virtual reality truck will be next. We're excited to unveil the new experience coming in May. Stay tuned for more information about the final unveil and where we will be visiting next!
U.S. Navy Band AOR Map
Chief Navy Counselor (Recruiter) Cyril Totimeh (Left) with Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) and Chief Engineman Anthony McPherson with Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Miami pose for a photo with the Lion mascot at the Black College Expo presented by National College Resources Foundation and held in the Florida Memorial University gymnasium. Recruiters with NRC and NTAG Miami met with attendees during the event. Headquartered in Millington, Tennessee, NRC’s mission is to recruit the highest caliber Sailors to meet the needs of the Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Natalia Murillo)
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby shakes hands with Electronics Technician 2nd Class Kirby Knowles, a member of the Recruiting Operations Center (ROC) team, from Navy Recruiting Command. ROC’s goal is to streamline and remove problems in the recruitment process and enhance communication between field recruiters and headquarters staff. Kilby visited Millington to engage with Sailors and meet with leadership to discuss recruiting challenges, initiatives, pay and personnel, and supporting our Sailors. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Porterfield)
Operations Specialist 2nd Class Hope Hernandez smiles during a class taught at the Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit (NORU). NORU is the Navy’s sole recruiting schoolhouse responsible for the instruction of Enlisted and Officer personnel in professional sales, prospecting techniques, marketing, applicant processing, recruiting terminology, leadership, ethical behavior, and activity analysis. It also provides continuum training for the Navy’s Career Recruiting Force and prepares selected leaders for the challenges of operating a Navy Talent Acquisition Group. U.S. Navy photo by Nava Kiss)
Sailors attached to Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Miami, pose for a photo during the annual U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps Gala held in Fort Lauderdale Beach, on January 27, 2024. The Sea Cadets Corps, Fort Lauderdale Division, has a mission to build leaders of character by imbuing the highest ideals of honor, respect, commitment, and service, in their cadets. NTAG Miami, has 38 recruiting locations throughout South Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with the combined mission to recruit the highest caliber Sailors to meet the needs of the Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Natalia Murillo)
Behavioral Health Providers Increasing Processing Efficiency
Story by Derrick Noack
HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill. – USMEPCOM is assembling a team of clinical psychologists to serve as applicant consult needs. These providers will conduct virtual behavioral health assessments for applicants needing a consult, as determined by their Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or service waiver authorities. The first clinical psychologist, Megan Hart Lee, commenced onboarding in early December and is set to initiate virtual behavioral health consults for MEPS applicants by month-end.
“In the Air Force, I was the mental health officer in charge at Hurlburt Field in Florida before separating this August,” said Hart Lee. “I understand just how important recruiting is and the need for a robust force. As the first psychologist in this role, I’m excited to shape what it looks like and help build the program.”
"This is going to have a huge impact... We're hoping to bring more psychologists to the team in 2024."
Hart Lee will begin by focusing on six locations: Beckley, Fort Jackson, Harrisburg, Lansing, Little Rock and Spokane. These were selected from all 65 MEPS based on three key criteria: how long it takes applicants to see a psychologist, how many evaluations on average they need a month and how many they had queued.
“We had to identify those with the most need as we get this program started,” said Air Force Capt. Daniel Strickland, USMEPCOM deputy command surgeon. “This is going to have a huge impact, so we’re very excited to get Hart Lee on board. Her background lends an advantage in getting started, but the DoD standards we follow are teachable to anyone. We’re hoping to bring more psychologists to the team in 2024.”
Texas Twins Embark on a Journey: From Midland to the Navy
Story by Allen Cordova, Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio Public Affairs
SAN ANTONIO – In a remarkable tale of shared dreams, twin brothers Andrew and Matthew Rusk from Midland, Texas, are embarking on an extraordinary journey together by joining the United States Navy.
Born in the Lone Star State, the brothers moved around the country with their father and are now setting sail for a life of service, adventure, and dedication to their country. Having been inseparable throughout their lives, the twins saw the Navy as an opportunity to continue supporting each other while entering on a shared adventure.
"I've been thinking about joining the service since the sixth grade."
The journey from Midland to naval service will involve rigorous training and preparation. From Recruit Training Command (boot camp) to specialized job training schools, Andrew and Matthew will experience a transformative process that not only will sharpen their physical abilities but also instill in them the discipline and resilience required for life in the military and beyond.
The brothers stated that Andrew initially had the idea first to join the military, but it was Matthew who took the initiative to speak with all the local military recruiters during his junior year of high school.
From Field Goals to the Navy: The Remarkable Journey of a UTSA Kicker Turned Naval Officer
Story by Allen Cordova, Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio Public Affairs
SAN ANTONIO - In the world of college football, athletes become local heroes, celebrated for their accomplishments on the field. Rarely, does the spotlight follow them into a different arena, one far removed from the roar of the crowd. Such is the story of U.S. Navy Lt. Sean Ianno, a former University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) kicker whose journey took an unexpected turn from the football field to the U.S. Navy.
Ianno’s story begins not on the football field but on the soccer field. Growing up in Pflugerville, Texas, he discovered his passion for football during his senior year of high school.
“I played soccer my whole life,” Ianno said. “My senior year of high school we had no kicker for the football team, and I had the best leg on the soccer team, so they recruited me.”
"The people I work with are why I enjoyed the Navy so much," Ianno said.
After graduating Pflugerville High School in 2010, Ianno’s only real offer was from the University of North Carolina, but his mother noticed that her alma mater, UTSA, was starting a football team. He decided to enroll in school as a normal student and attend the very first open tryout where he performed well and made the team.
His powerful leg and accurate aim quickly gained the coaches’ attention. He became a crucial part of the team and earned a scholarship after his freshman year. During his football career at UTSA, he kicked numerous game-winning field goals and is still one of the team’s all-time leading scorers at 256 points.