Recruiter magazine January 2025

Recruiting Nation,

As we kick off a new year, I’m excited to reflect on the tremendous progress Navy Recruiting Command has made and share some updates with you. Every day is mission day, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work our team is doing to meet—and exceed—our goals.

Let’s start with some great news: as of December, we’re tracking above glide slope on several key missions. For Active Component (AC), our goal was 7,682 contracts, and we’ve achieved 7,685, putting us just over 100%. Historically, November has been one of the most challenging months for recruiting, but this year, we maintained our momentum and stayed on track. Our Nuke field mission is also ahead at 103.3%, and our enlisted shipping mission is performing at an outstanding 103.4%.

Let’s also take a moment to celebrate some incredible accomplishments from FY24. Multiple NTAGs earned top honors, including NTAG New Orleans, which received the national Gold R award for best overall performance. Other NTAGs, such as Phoenix, Golden Gate, and Empire State, along with all five RTAGs, earned the Blue R for excellence. Bravo Zulu to everyone recognized—you exemplify the best of Navy Recruiting.

Looking ahead, I want to highlight some initiatives that reflect our ongoing commitment to professional growth and organizational success.

Special Leave Accrual: In FY24, we identified 493 team members who were at risk of losing leave. Thanks to CNO-approved guidance, we’ve restored over 3,500 days of leave, ensuring our people receive the time off they’ve earned. Going forward, I expect commands to support a culture that balances mission accomplishment with proper leave utilization.

Rescinding DGM-3: To empower NTAGs with greater flexibility, I’ve rescinded DGM-3, which mandated a “flattening” of the organization. While the original intent remains important, I trust our leaders to tailor their structures to meet their unique mission requirements while maximizing talent.

60-Day iStop Orders for New Recruiters: Starting in FY25, new recruiters will have a structured 60-day period at their NTAG before attending NORU. This time will be used to settle into their new duty station, complete basic recruiter training, and prepare for NORU, ensuring a smoother transition into their new role.

As we look toward the challenges and opportunities of 2025, I want to thank each of you for your dedication and hard work. Together, we’re not just meeting mission—we’re setting a standard of excellence for Navy Recruiting. Keep pushing, stay focused, and remember: every day is mission day.

Bravo Zulu to all, and let’s make this year another record-breaker.

Winners Win!

Rear Adm. Jim Waters

Recruiting Nation,

Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed the holidays, spent quality time with your loved ones, and recharged your batteries a bit. As we kick off the new year, I just want to take the time to say thank you for all the hard work and dedication. Last year, we exceeded our recruitment goal and coming through the holiday season into January, we remain above target glideslope.

I will continue to focus at my level on expanding our Culture of Excellence 2.0 initiatives and enterprise support of CNO’s Navigation Plan and Project 33. NAVADMIN 255/24 provided updates to Billet Based Advancement (BBA) policies, including expansion of Senior Enlisted Marketplace to active component E-6 Sailors screened for advancement to Chief Petty Officer as well as the transition to full BBA for ratings included in the Detailing Marketplace Assignment Policy (DMAP). We will continue to support our front-line recruiters navigate these policies and successfully Meritoriously Advanced two DMAP sailors to First Class Petty Officer last year, including our Recruiter of the Nation utilizing exceptions to policy (ETP).

BZ to all our other National Winners and shout out to all our Chief Recruiters, Assistant Chief Recruiters, and DLCPOs of recruiting nation for keeping us focused and on target, to all the RINCs and on the bag recruiters for the daily grind and long hours, and to all of leadership and support staffs enabling us to be mission focused.

Last year was historic for Navy Recruiting, and we are on pace to exceed that performance. I’m certain we will continue, remain steadfast, and meet the strategic requirements outlined in the Navigation Plan.

I am humbled and grateful for your service and leadership of our teams. The future of America’s Navy is in good hands.

Keep charging!

Very Respectfully,

CMDCM Konopka

Recruiting Nation,

Happy New Year! As we embark on FY25, let’s remain focused on our shared mission and goals. Each of us plays a pivotal role in shaping the Navy’s future, and together we will exceed our recruiting targets. By engaging with communities, building strong relationships, and maintaining a robust DEP, we will attract talented individuals who will carry on the Navy’s legacy. With determination and enthusiasm, we will transform challenges into success.

Focusing on high-quality markets is critical to our recruiting success. It is essential to prioritize institutions with robust STEM, engineering, sports, and leadership programs, as these environments foster a strong pool of candidates for the Navy. By aligning with Navy Recruiting Command’s prospecting strategy, we can effectively engage with educators and counselors to identify top-tier talent. Additionally, expanding our outreach efforts to local community programs and sporting events will enhance our engagement with potential candidates and directly support our nuclear engineering and special warfare missions.

Effective management of the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) is vital to ensuring that Future Sailors and their families feel supported and fully prepared. To streamline this process, the enterprise has developed a DEP Placemat that outlines all key requirements and milestones, helping recruiters stay on track and engaged with Future Sailors. Meeting these milestones is critical to ensuring their readiness for recruit training, fostering their integration into Navy culture, and supporting a seamless transition to their new roles.

The Medical Officer mission remains a top priority for Navy Recruiting Command, and success in this area requires a focused, strategic approach. Essential actions include generating referrals through local networks, attending medical-specific job fairs, and connecting with medical professionals and organizations. We will also engage with pre-med students, revisit past applicants, and leverage platforms such as LinkedIn and handshake to identify new leads. Consistent follow-up and outreach, combined with targeted career fair participation, will be instrumental in achieving success in this mission. Collaboration with medical schools and financial aid offices will further strengthen our recruitment efforts for medical officers.

Meeting all recruiting wickets and mission requirements is paramount to the success of our efforts and the Navy's overall readiness. Each target we achieve directly influences our ability to effectively staff and sustain our forces, ensuring that we meet both current and future operational demands. Consistently reaching these goals not only enhances operational efficiency but also reinforces the foundation of our recruiting efforts. Every recruiter's commitment to these standards ensures we continue to attract the most qualified individuals to serve our nation. Let’s make this year one to remember—here’s to another historic year!

See you at the Top!

NCCM Gerald Allchin

CNO and MCPON Surprise a Sailor with Promotion

Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anna Liesa Hussey, Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs

National Active Component Enlisted Recruiter of the Year, Damage Controlman 2nd Class Rheann Hietpas, assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Jacksonville, was advanced to Damage Controlman 1st Class in a surprise meritorious promotion ceremony by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) James Honea at the Strike Group Commissioning Ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. Dec. 12, 2024.

“When CNO said my name, I was in shock I remember thinking ‘wow that person is so lucky’,” said Hietpas. “When I realized it was me, I was shocked … frozen. When I finally stood up and walked towards the CNO I kept thinking this was a dream this isn’t really happening to me. Everything I was working towards, all the late nights, early mornings and weekend workdays were paying off in this moment. The impossible was made possible by the CNO and CNRC [Commander, Navy Recruiting Command].”

What made the promotion even more significant is that Damage Controlman (DC) don’t promote solely on advancement exams. Instead, their advancement opportunities are tied to available billets, which is different from many other Navy ratings. DC’s fall under the Detailing Marketplace Assignment Policy (DMAP) where they can only achieve early advancement through Advance to Position (A2P) or early advancement through Command Advance to Position (CA2P). Hietpas, a native of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, is currently in a billet that is not an advance to promote billet.

“When I was getting pinned, I looked straight ahead and was breathing deeply to choke back the tears,” said Hietpas. “In that moment I was thinking about how amazing it is that the CNO and MCPON are literally right next to me with their attention on me! Thinking back to this moment now I still get emotional. I achieved something that I was told I couldn’t by so many.”

Navy Talent Acquisition Group Jacksonville falls under Navy Recruiting Command in Millington, Tennessee. NTAG Jacksonville’s area of responsibility includes more than 30 Navy Recruiting Station and Navy Officer Recruiting Stations spread over 144,000 square miles of Florida and Georgia.

“I’m still in awe that the 33rd CNO, first female CNO mapped me, alongside MCPON,” said Hietpas. “I couldn’t be more grateful for this experience.”

To learn about careers, joining the Navy, and the latest incentives, visit https://www.navy.com.

Navy Recruiting Command consists of a command headquarters, two Navy Recruiting Regions, Navy Recruiting Reserve Command, and 26 Navy Talent Acquisition Groups that serve more than 970 recruiting stations around the world. Their mission is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America’s Navy.

University of Southern Florida Welcomes Navy Leadership to Forge Stronger Medical Ties

Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Natalia Murillo, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Miami Public Affairs

The University of South Florida (USF) hosted the U.S. Navy Surgeon General and Chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Rear Adm. Darin K. Via and Sailors from Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Miami on Dec. 4, 2024, bringing together leadership from both organizations to engage students, highlight the benefits of naval service, and build lasting partnerships across all campuses.

Via and his Navy Medicine team met with key USF leaders in a series of meetings across the Tampa campuses to reinforce shared information and strengthen the partnership between the university and the Navy.

The discussion covered various opportunities, including missed ones, and focused on ways to enhance current strategies for increasing the Navy's presence on campus and improving access to information for students. Additionally, they explored scholarships and other initiatives to support students pursuing careers in Navy Medicine.

“It was such a delight and pleasure to host the U.S. Navy Surgeon General and team today,” said USF President Rhea Law, JD. “We look forward to collaborating together in the future.”

Navy medical program recruiters from NTAG Miami were on hand to answer any questions about the application process. Furthermore, the engagement established direct lines of communication between Via and USF students, offering a rare platform for inquiries and meaningful dialogue.

NTAG Miami Sailors Help “Bigs” Inspire Local Students at School to Work Event

Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Natalia Murillo, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Miami Public Affairs

Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG Miami) Sailors spoke with high school students during a November session of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America (BBBS) School to Work program, hosted by Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department (MDCR) in Doral, Fla., November 20, 2024.

“We are committed to providing students with valuable opportunities before graduation,” said MDCR Public Information Officer, Anthony Paz. “One example of this is the pathway offered by our military partners, which can lead students toward successful futures. By connecting students with these types of employers, we help them build meaningful career paths early on.

MDCR invited NTAG Miami to share information about naval career opportunities with 60 high school students, known as 'littles.' A 'little' is a youth, ages 6-18, enrolled in BBBS and paired with a 'big,' or mentor. According to the BBBS website, these mentoring relationships ignite the power and promise of youth by fostering one-on-one connections that support personal growth.

The participating students were from the following Miami-Dade County public high schools:

- Southwest Miami Senior High School

- Miami Central High School

- Miami Jackson Senior High School

- William H. Turner Technical Arts High School

“There are so many paths they can take at this stage in their lives,” said Electrician’s Mate Robert Salgado, attached to NTAG Miami. “We want them to know that we’re here to answer any questions they have about the Navy and to help clear up any doubts or insecurities they may have about pursuing a Naval career. It’s a wonderful feeling to share how the Navy has shaped my life, and I hope it inspires them to explore what it can offer them.”

NTAG Miami Sailor Takes the Mound at Leones de Ponce Salute to Service Game

Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Natalia Murillo, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Miami Public Affairs

A Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Miami Sailor went beyond promoting Naval career opportunities and sharing sea stories during the Leones de Ponce Salute to Service baseball game at Francisco Montaner Stadium in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on November 15, 2024.

“It was amazing!” said Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Benymes Santos Gonzalez, attached to NTAG Miami and serving at Navy Recruiting Station Ponce, reflecting on her experience of throwing the first pitch at the game.

The home game honored military veterans in observance of Veterans Day. Santos Gonzalez, who had never played baseball before, admitted that it was a new experience for her but expressed that she gave it her best effort and had a great time.

“It was a great honor to represent those who served before me. Thank you for the opportunity,” she added.

The Leones de Ponce are a part of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC), or the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League.

NTAG Miami operates 38 recruiting locations across South Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, with a shared mission of recruiting the highest caliber Sailors to support the fleet's needs.