Recruiter magazine

Recruiting Nation,  As we move through this spring, Navy Recruiting remains in a position of strength. Our trajectory is positive, our execution is disciplined, and our impact is being felt across the Fleet.  But before discussing numbers and milestones, I want to step back and focus on something larger. Recent events around the world are a reminder that the security environment is dynamic and serious. When crisis emerges, the American people look to their Navy. In the latest conflict, the first actions were executed from Navy ships and submarines — manned by Sailors who began their journey with you. We may not be the tip of the spear operating forward, but we are the weight behind it. Every enlisted Sailor in the United States Navy starts here. Nearly every officer starts here. If we fail to execute our mission with excellence and urgency, the Fleet cannot execute theirs. The Sailors standing the watch today were once future Sailors in DEP. The Sailors who will answer tomorrow’s call are in our schools, colleges, and communities right now — waiting for a recruiter to engage them. That reality should sharpen our focus. Precision matters. Discipline matters. Activity matters. Every rate. Every designator. Every contract. If the Navy requires it, it contributes directly to readiness. And the results reflect your effort. Across the enterprise, we remain ahead of last year’s pace. Active Component enlisted contracting is above glide slope. Reserve missions are surging. Nuclear Field and NSW recruiting remain strong. Eighteen of 26 NTAGs are blue-to-blue, and all five RTAGs are performing well. These are not just statistics. They represent disciplined execution. You have heard me talk about being “brilliant at the basics.” That focus is paying off. DEP attrition is down significantly. Shipping window losses have improved from roughly 15 percent to about 5 percent. That precision allows us to place the right Sailor in the right seat at the right time. We are also removing friction where we can. Updated medical screening guidance is improving efficiency and reducing wasted MEPS flow. Reserve rating availability has expanded to remove unnecessary throttles. Advancement incentives for critical rates have been refined. The intent is simple: control what we can control. Make sound risk assessments before sending candidates to the floor. Use the tools provided. Protect your time. Protect your effort. Looking ahead, I expect a world-class recruiting force that wins deliberately and sustainably — without surge and without burnout. Winners win because they prepare with discipline, execute with precision, and learn relentlessly. Keep pressing.

Winners win!

Rear Adm. Jim Waters Commander, Navy Recruiting Command

Shipmates,   As we move deeper into the fiscal year, I want to recognize the tremendous work taking place across Navy Recruiting Nation. Every recruiter, processor, classifier, trainer, civilian, and support Sailor contributes directly to the strength and readiness of our Navy. Your efforts are not just filling a mission; they are building the future of our Fleet.   Today, our Navy continues to operate globally, including ongoing operations in the Middle East where numerous Navy ships, aircraft, and Sailors remain deployed. In times like these, the importance of recruiting could not be clearer. The Sailors you bring into our ranks today will be the ones standing the watch tomorrow, ensuring our Navy remains ready to defend our nation and maintain stability around the world.   Across the enterprise, we are continuing to work with higher Navy echelons to expand opportunities that recognize the outstanding performance of Sailors serving on recruiting duty, including efforts to increase Command Advance to Position (CA2P) opportunities. We are also partnering with MyNavy Coaching to strengthen development for our Department Leading Chief Petty Officers, reinforcing leadership pathways that support our recruiters and align with Rear Adm. Waters’ priorities of Recruiters, Recruiting, and Readiness.   Our strategy is clear. Recruiters remain our number one priority, and our culture is defined by the belief that winning is deliberate, repeatable, and earned through disciplined execution. “Winners Win” is not a slogan; it is the standard that defines our command.    Thank you for your professionalism, resilience, and dedication to mission.

Always Ready!

Very Respectfully,

CMDCM Vantroi SibiliaMartinez

Recruiting Nation,   Your energy and dedication are driving our momentum. Now is the time to channel that drive, sharpen our execution, and accelerate the mission. Winning is a habit built on purpose and discipline, so let's press forward with a shared commitment to excellence.   Make no mistake, our medical recruiting mission is a direct contributor to Fleet readiness. Every doctor, nurse, and technician we fail to recruit is a capability gap our operational forces will feel downrange. This mission requires our most focused and aggressive leadership. It’s not enough to simply manage the process; you must own it. This means conducting rigorous, daily scrubs of your applicant pipeline, identifying every friction point, and holding your teams accountable for immediate action. We need leaders who demand speed and precision, who treat every stalled application as a critical problem to be solved, and who use resources like the HPSP playbook to its full potential. Our success here is a direct reflection of our effectiveness as leaders.   Your expertise is our greatest strategic advantage. You know your markets, you understand the nuances of your applicants, and you are the masters of this craft. I am counting on your innovative solutions and best practices to drive our success. Your skill in screening applicants, your professionalism in managing appointments, and your meticulous attention to detail are what turn opportunities into contracts. Every success at MEPS is a direct result of your work.   Our job begins, not ends, at the contract. We are the first coaches for our future Sailors. This means engaging their families, making DEP meetings formative events, and leading intrusively. When you see a warning sign like a missed call, you must intervene immediately. Proactive coaching is how we build resilient, prepared shipmates.   I am proud of the work you do. Let's continue moving forward with the understanding that every great Sailor begins with a great recruiter.

Very Respectfully,

Master Chief Kevin Daniel Kikawa

Navy Recruiter Returns to Alma Mater to Lead Damage Control Drill

Story and photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jasen MorenoGarcia, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Phoenix Seven years after graduating from Franklin Police and Fire High School, Fire Controlman 1st Class Angel GermanHerrera, a Navy recruiter assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group Phoenix, returned to his alma mater to introduce students to the Navy’s approach to firefighting and shipboard emergency response. Franklin Police and Fire High School specializes in firefighting and law enforcement education, making it an ideal environment for a hands-on demonstration of Navy Damage Control procedures. After coordinating with the school, GermanHerrera organized a drill modeled after a Navy8010 manual firefighting scenario, allowing students to experience how Sailors respond to emergencies at sea. “It was a surreal moment for me,” said GermanHerrera. “To return and share my life experiences with students who were in my shoes seven years ago.” Drawing from his experience serving aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) as a member of the ship’s flying squad, GermanHerrera created a watch bill modeled after an at-sea fire party and assigned students to positions based on the class roster. Students then executed the drill under a structured chain of command similar to how Sailors respond during shipboard emergencies. Because many of the students already receive firefighting instruction through the school’s public safety curriculum, they were able to quickly apply their training to the Navy-style evolution. “This drill reflected both U.S. Navy shipboard firefighting and college-level structural firefighting training,” said William Pech, a fire science teacher at Franklin Police and Fire High School. “Students operated within a clear chain of command, practiced effective communication, and followed proper safety procedures. These elements are essential in both military and civilian firefighting environments.” The simulated fire exercise allowed students to apply core firefighting skills such as scene size-up, teamwork, and the use of protective equipment while also experiencing the unique demands of shipboard emergency response. GermanHerrera explained that while the fundamentals are similar, naval firefighting often involves additional complexities. “Navy firefighting is much more intense and fast paced,” GermanHerrera said. “If timelines aren’t met, it can result in cascading damage to the ship and risk to your shipmates. That level of urgency makes teamwork absolutely critical.” Pech noted that the Navy’s approach expands beyond traditional structural firefighting. “In our program students focus on fire behavior, hose management, search and rescue, and ventilation,” Pech said. “In contrast, the Navy must also address flooding, structural integrity, and overall ship survivability while combating a fire.” Students responded enthusiastically to the hands-on drill, successfully executing their assigned roles and asking questions about naval service afterward. “I noticed an increase in curiosity and engagement about naval service, especially among my firefighter students,” Pech said. “They were intrigued by how firefighting skills translate into a military setting and surprised by the level of discipline and coordination required aboard a naval vessel.” For GermanHerrera, the most memorable moment came during the post-exercise debrief. “The excitement and motivation during the debrief showed just how much they enjoyed it,” said GermanHerrera. “Their response and accuracy were amazing. With some time, they would definitely be a seaworthy team.” The event also carried special meaning for the school community, as students saw a former graduate return in uniform. “Having an alumnus return in uniform is a powerful moment for our school,” said Pech. “It shows students what dedication and commitment can lead to after graduation and reinforces the strength of our Police and Fire program.” GermanHerrera and Franklin teachers want to continue collaboration with similar engagements. “Partnerships like this provide our students with valuable real-world insight and exposure to career pathways they may not have previously considered,” said Pech. “Continued collaboration would greatly benefit our students and support the mission of our public safety program.” GermanHerrera said he hopes the exercise leaves students with a lasting understanding of how teamwork drives success in the Navy. “Firefighting is universal,” said GermanHerrera. “The skills they’re learning now can translate directly to the Navy. More importantly, the Navy relies on teamwork. Shipmates always depend on each other, and damage control is vital to everything we do.” NTAG Phoenix’s area of responsibility includes more than 37 Navy Recruiting Stations and Navy Officer Recruiting Stations spread throughout 250,000 square miles of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado.