Hegseth: Department Success Buoyed by Courage, Spirit, Leadership

July 31, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News |

The War Department has had a lot of success in the past 19 months, said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. And that's in no small part due to the dedication and training of the men and women in uniform who form the heart of the U.S. military.

But underwriting that success is presidential leadership from the very top, Hegseth told President Donald J. Trump today during a cabinet meeting at Camp David in Maryland.

"It's great Americans here and all around the country, and all around the world, who are the core of what keeps us safe," Hegseth said. "But in order to do that, you have to have a leader that's willing to put them in a position to do it."

The secretary listed three things Trump provides that make success possible for American warfighters: courage, a mandate to restore the warrior spirit and a generational investment in making the U.S. military the best it can be.

"I think people miss ... the courage it takes to seal the border, to say we're going to do it, and we're going to do it every single day, and we're going to do it on behalf of the American people," Hegseth said.

Since January 2025, American troops from all services, and with various skills, have been working first to gain and then maintain 100% operational control of America's southern border and to stop both drug traffickers and the flow of illegal immigration.

"[It takes] courage to bomb the Houthis and say we will maintain freedom of navigation," Hegseth said. "If you wonder why they're not involved in this conflict [in Iran], even though they're a proxy of Iran, it's because they've felt the weight of American power for 45 days, and you had the courage to do that."

In the Red Sea, Iran-backed Houthi forces had been attacking U.S. ships and those of other nations for years, disrupting legal commerce for all. In March 2025, the U.S. took steps to put an end to those attacks during Operation Rough Rider, when U.S. Central Command, at the direction of the president, began a series of attacks at key terrorist Houthi targets in Yemen. Two months later, the president announced that the Houthis agreed to a ceasefire.

Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 mission to obliterate Iran's nuclear capability, also resulted in a ceasefire of the 12-day war, Hegseth noted, calling it a bold move no other president had dared to do.

"Other presidents had the option on their table to do [that], but they never pulled the trigger because of the complications, because of the challenges, because of the risk," he said. "Courage."

The secretary also cited presidential leadership and a willingness to take risks as key enablers for stopping the flow of illegal drugs in the Caribbean, the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as part of Operation Absolute Resolve and the willingness to undertake the significant Operation Epic Fury, to ensure the Iranian regime will never have a nuclear weapon.

Embolden Spirit

The secretary also credited the president with reinvigorating the spirit of the U.S. armed forces by providing a mandate to eliminate distractions in the force and refocus the warfighter on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, readiness and standards.

"You talk about spirit all the time, and you're right to do so," Hegseth told Trump. "When you rip out [diversity, equity and inclusion], when you rip out social engineering and social justice, and you put in merit; and then you untie the hands of commanders to be commanders, to enforce discipline and accountability, to get back to basics, then you get historic reenlistment inside our ranks."

The secretary said that reinvigorated spirit has caught on across the nation and ignited an interest in serving, adding that the U.S. military is reaping the benefits through increased enlistments and retention.

"Our best people ... are staying, because they want to be in that kind of department," he said. "And then [there is] the historic recruitment record amongst young Americans. Every month our department breaks records."

Investing in Now, Future

This year, the president has asked for $1.5 trillion to fund the U.S. military. However, Hegseth said it's not going to be business as usual for how that money will be spent, noting that Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg will be responsible for ensuring the money is spent in a way that truly strengthens the department.

"This is a businessman in charge; this is the deputy secretary of our department, who's a turnaround guy, just like the president is — saying we will not fund ... the department the way we have in the past," Hegseth said.

In addition to funding, the secretary highlighted recent efforts to strengthen the defense industrial base, including being a better customer, which has resulted in America's industry partners reinvesting in themselves, ultimately driving down costs to the department.

"[There is] $75 billion in private investment from defense companies that are now investing in new plants, new equipment and new assembly lines, to build the munitions of the future faster than ever possible," the secretary told the president. "That's saving taxpayer dollars because the companies themselves are investing — the arsenal of freedom would never happen without you."

Texas Air Guard member named top Air Guard recruiter

By Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain and Master Sgt. Vince Madrid

Texas National Guard

CAMP MABRY, Texas - In March, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jennifer A. Joubert, a production recruiter with the 149th Fighter Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, was recognized by the Air National Guard as one of the nation’s top recruiters during the 2012 Air National Guard Recruiting and Retention Workshop in Louisiana, her native state.

 The Air National Guard annually recognizes its best performers nationally for recruiting and retention efforts. Joubert’s performance at the San Antonio-based F-16 combat fighter training unit during Fiscal Year 2011 earned her the distinction of being the nation’s top Air Guard recruiter in both “Prior Service Qualified Accessions” and “Critical Accessions.”

Earning two of the distinctions in one year is considered to be a unique accomplishment, as there are only four categories of annual awards for production recruiters in the Air National Guard. The other categories are for top non-prior service and overall accessions, or recruiting.

“An accession happens when a person actually enlists and is successfully gained into the unit,” Joubert said. “Prior service recruits can be from any branch [of the armed forces], and includes transfers from one [National] Guard unit to another.”

Joubert further explained that critical accessioning involves placing airmen into difficult to fill positions, which “are designated annually by [the National Guard Bureau] for the fiscal year.”

The Air National Guard award categories highlight a production recruiter’s dynamic recruiting ability, exceptional technical expertise, and steadfast focus on mission accomplishment. Additionally, this particular recognition builds upon Joubert’s record as having been previously named the Texas Air National Guard’s Rookie Production Recruiter of the Year for 2011.

Although relatively new to the Lone Star State and the recruiting field, Joubert has extensive military experience which she can share with potential recruits, including service in Masirah, Oman, while she was in the active-duty Air Force as a member of the Security Forces. Additionally, she has served in administrative positions within other units of the Air National Guard.

“None of the awesome capabilities provided by the Texas Air National Guard could exist without Airmen,” said Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Michael E. Fruge, superintendent of recruiting and retention for the Texas Air National Guard. “We could not have Airmen without outstanding recruiters like Tech. Sgt. Joubert.”

During the 2011 fiscal year, Joubert was directly responsible for bringing in 62 new Lone Star Gunfighters, which members of the 149th Fighter Wing are known as, and “90 percent of her accessions were in critical vacancies,” according to the award nomination package.

Joubert credits her success with finding the best possible fit for each new Airman. She said she’s most rewarded “when recruits go off to training and come back transformed and proud. I try to make sure I’m giving them what they’re looking for while fulfilling the mission of the unit.”

Face of Defense: Veterans Inspire Longest-Serving Recruiter

Discover incredible true stories from the best military books as veterans tell you their experiences and sacrifices.

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

FORT MEADE, Md., Nov. 8, 2011 – Last week, retired Army Sgt. Maj. Ray Moran visited the Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Station here to bid goodbye and good luck to young men and women, many whom he recruited himself, as they headed off to basic military training.

Moran’s frequent visits to the station are reminiscent of his boyhood days in Latrobe, Pa. He remembers fondly when he and his brother, Sam, ran to the local railroad station to wave goodbye to U.S. troops bound for combat during World War II.

Veterans inspired Moran’s life-long love of the military and the men and women who serve in uniform.

He joined their ranks as soon as he was old enough, in 1948. It was the start of a 30-year career that included duty in post-World War II Japan, in Korea during the Korean Conflict, in Vietnam, and after volunteering to return to active duty after his retirement, during Operation Desert Storm.

Today, as he celebrates his 82nd birthday, Moran continues to make his mark on the military as its oldest and longest-serving recruiter. Over the past 60 years, he figures he has enlisted more than 1,000 soldiers, and he continues to sign on more every day.

Talking with Moran, still widely known by the moniker he picked up in Vietnam, “Old Soldier,” is like reading chapters out of a history book.

He remembers being too young to enlist during World War II, but making a point with his brother to give a proper send-off to combat-bound troops marching down his street to the local train station every Tuesday. “We were always there,” he said.

Looking at his long list of duties after he enlisted in the Army, it’s clear that Moran was, in fact, always where the action was.

Shortly after his basic training at Camp Breckenridge, Ky., he found himself helping keep the peace in post-World War II Tokyo. When war broke out in Korea, he deployed there on July 17, 1950, with the 1st Cavalry Division’s 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry.

Moran recalls moving with his unit into North Korea, all thinking the war was almost over when news broke that China had entered the conflict. “The Chinese had joined the North Koreans in the war and were pushing back our troops,” he said.

Moran was among the troops charged with retrieving the bodies of more than 800 of their fellow soldiers killed during an attack near North Korea’s Yalu River. Some, their hands tied behind their backs with barbed wire, had been shot in the head.

The experience was a far cry from the triumphant Armistice Day parade Moran had expected to be a part of in Japan.

Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur had personally selected his unit to return from Korea to parade through downtown Tokyo. “The problem was, there were so many mines in the bay in Korea that the Navy couldn’t come in to get us,” Moran said.

Instead, he remained in Korea, where, time and time again, he enjoyed chance encounters with his brother. Moran remembered setting up and manning roadblocks one blustery night in November 1950 when Sam drove through, transporting wounded troops.

“That night, I’d been freezing until I heard his voice,” Moran recalled. “But after that, I stayed warm all night long.”

Serendipity struck again when both Moran boys returned home from the war hours apart on July 10, 1951.

Members of the local VFW and American Legion – many of them the same World War II troops they had bid farewell to at the railroad station -- descended on their home to make them honorary members.

“They kind of motivated us,” Moran said.

Moran was so motivated, in fact, that he decided to reenlist and continue his military service that ultimately lasted three decades.

It was the start of his recruiting career that included some of the toughest assignments ever: recruiting for other recruiters in Vietnam, and recruiting the first members of the all-volunteer military force.

Looking back, Moran said he’s proud of what he helped create. “We built a volunteer Army that really proved itself in Desert Storm,” he said. “They were just a marvelous bunch of soldiers, and they have done it right through to Iraq and Afghanistan today. We are very proud of the all-volunteer Army.”

Even after hanging up his uniform in 1978, Moran has remained an integral part of that force as a civilian Army Reserve recruiter here at U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s 1st Recruiting Brigade.

He had only one brief hiatus from that duty when, after three phone calls to the Army retired branch in St. Louis, Mo., he convinced the right person to recall him to active duty during Operation Desert Storm.

Moran, who was 60 years old at the time, served casualty escort duty at the mortuary at Dover Air Force Base, Del. “It was what the Army needed me to do, so that’s what I did,” he said.

He recalled the sad duty of escorting the remains of 28 members of the Army Reserve’s 14th Quartermaster Detachment soldiers, some from his hometown, killed by an Iraqi Scud missile attack on Feb. 25, 1991.

When terrorists struck the United States on 9/11, 70-year-old Moran again volunteered to return to military duty, but the Army drew the line.

“I got really upset when the Army said no,” he said. “They told me that at my age, they were only accepting doctors [from the retirement rolls].”

The consolation, he said, was knowing he could continue to serve the military he loves by recruiting good-quality, dedicated forces to fill its ranks.

Recruiting runs in Moran’s blood. He admits that back during his first recruiting stint in Pennsylvania, he took his future wife, Barbara, on their first date to a one-day recruiting training conference in Pittsburgh.

Moran bonds with potential recruits easily, with his big, easy smile and encouraging manner. One needs to spend only a few hours with him to realize that he has friends of all ages nearly everywhere he goes.

He’s become a fixture in and around Fort Meade and within the recruiting community. A Fort Meade street now bears his name. He was honored in late 2008 as one of the first two inductees into the Army’s Recruiting and Retention Hall of Fame at Fort Jackson, S.C. Even the name of that honor recognizes Moran’s legendary status; it’s known as the Sgt. Maj. Ray Moran “Old Soldier” Hall of Fame.

Moran marvels that he now finds himself recruiting children, and even the grandchildren, of the veterans he enlisted -- including his own grandson.

“Recruiting is easy when you love something, and I happen to love the military. So talking about it is an easy task for me,” he said. “Everyone in the service is red, white and blue to me.”

Moran said he recognizes that military service isn’t for everyone, and takes pains not to “sugar-coat” the military experience to the men and women he talks with.

“I know we have tough times and we make sacrifices and there are hardships. I’m not getting away from that,” he said. “But I will tell you this: there are a lot of rewards. And the biggest reward in the world is just having the camaraderie and respect that you get from your fellow soldiers.”

Today’s recruits are smart, he said, and know what they are signing on for and what they want to do in the military. “So I am sort of a locomotive, to take them where they want to go,” he said. “It’s pretty wonderful.”

Despite the vast changes he’s witnessed, Moran finds that the same values continue to attract people to the armed services. “I just think it’s personal pride, and I really think it is patriotism and love of country,” he said. “I see that in their faces every day.”

Moran recognizes that cuts in budgets and recruiting billets are likely to force him into a second retirement, probably early next year. “It wasn’t my time to retire, in my book, but Uncle Sam needs it to happen, so we are going to salute and say, ‘We’ll do it,’” he said.

His perpetual ear-to-ear smile faded only slightly as he acknowledged what seems to be inevitable.

Looking back over his career, Moran said he has just one regret: he offered his father a handshake rather than a hug when he left home more than six decades ago to join the Army. It’s a transgression he apologized for when he returned home, and that his father assured him he’d more than made up for with a belated bear hug as he returned home.

“I am grateful,” Moran said of his career, regaining his infectious enthusiasm. “I look back and say, there’s no reason in the world not to be so happy that everything turned out the way it has,” with a devoted wife and family and rewarding career.

“The work I have done has been so meaningful to me, and I have made so many friends along the way,” he said. “So when I look back, I just have too much to be grateful and thankful for to even think any other way.”

This Veterans Day, Moran will express that gratitude through a tradition he shares with his family and their closest friends. They’ll travel to Washington to attend a full day of ceremonies, beginning at the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery, then at the Vietnam Memorial Wall and, finally, at the Korean War and World War II memorials.

Moran said he takes pride knowing he has recruited and served with some of the “finest people in the world” who took part in those conflicts and continue to serve in the military.

“I’ve had a challenging career and loved every minute of it, and I would do it all again,” he said. “And it all stems from veterans. They were the ones that inspired me when I was a young man, and continue to do so to this day.”

Face of Defense: Recruiter Saves Life on Dallas Freeway

By Len Butler

Dallas Recruiting Station

DENTON, Texas, July 22, 2011 – When Army Staff Sgt. Marcus A. Stone saw cars suddenly braking and swerving ahead of him on Interstate 35 East in Dallas, he knew something bad had just happened on the freeway he was driving on. In the minutes that followed, Stone pulled a victim from a burning vehicle.

Those actions that December day prompted Stone’s commanding officer to nominate him for the Noncommissioned Officers Association of the United States of America Military Vanguard Award, presented annually to recognize acts of heroism.

Stone, 28, was driving an applicant through the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch to the Denton recruiting station when he saw the accident. Moving to the high-occupancy-vehicle lane, he got around the stopped cars and was able to see several vehicles had been involved in an accident, with one of them emitting flames and leaking gasoline.

“I was in the HOV lane and I saw the [burning] car facing oncoming traffic,” Stone said. “I got out of my [government car] to go see if everyone was all right, and that’s when I noticed the flames underneath the car. Then I noticed the dripping fluid, and I realized that sooner or later, that car was going to blow up.”

Stone said the first thing he wanted to do was get all the motorists involved away from the immediate area. Some of the motorists refused, preferring to stay with their cars or not wanting to move their cars to safety until police arrived.

“I told them, ‘Look, this is what’s going on over there,’” he said. “Once they realized there could be more damage to their cars if the flames got out of control, in addition to their own personal safety, they started moving.”

Stone said that’s when he noticed that a passenger was in the burning car. The driver had come out, but he could see that the passenger wasn’t moving.

“The first thing I thought of, was why this guy was not making an effort to get out of the car,” he said. “I ran back to my [car] to get the fire extinguisher, and when I turned around to go back I heard a loud ‘whoosh,’ and the fire had spread to engulf the front of the car as well as underneath it.”

Stone ran back to the burning car and the helpless man inside. Flames kept him from going around to the passenger side of the car, so he had to reach in the car and grab the man from the driver’s side.

In spite of the danger, Stone said, all he wanted to do was help the victim.

“The passenger was somewhat conscious, but it was obvious he was traumatized from the accident and had a possible head injury,” Stone said. “I knew he needed to get out of that car, whether he was going to help me or not. I certainly couldn’t just allow him to burn in there.”

With flames all around the car, Stone grabbed the man by his arm and pulled him out. Another motorist came to Stone’s aid and helped to pull the victim to safety. Almost immediately after Stone pulled the victim out of the burning vehicle, the car was engulfed in the flames. Moments later, the fire department and police arrived.

Stone learned later from the investigating police officer on the scene that the victim was in good condition at a hospital and was expected to recover.

Officer Susan Sharp, who was the investigating officer that day for the Farmers Branch Police Department, said Stone gave responders his recruiter business card and left the scene. Only after she compiled the statements from witnesses and drivers involved in the accident, who referred to Stone as “that Army guy,” did she realize how crucial a role Stone played, she said.

“Had Sergeant Stone not extricated [the victim], he would have burned to death within a minute or two,” Sharp said. “Stone didn't just save a life. He was the difference between a group of bystanders seeing a man rescued by one of America's heroic soldiers, versus seeing the man die a horrific death, burning right before their eyes.”

Stone, an Iraq combat veteran, said his Army training played a crucial role in his actions in saving the man that day. The Iraq experience, he explained, helped in that he was much calmer because he had already had enough pressure-packed situations in Iraq.

“It just comes down to being at the right place at the right time,” he said. “I’m just glad that somebody was able to continue their life, and I’m thankful that I was able to help someone in that capacity.”

Enlisted Retention Board Provides Retention Board Provides Some Benefits for Fleet

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The recently announced enlisted retention board (ERB) will help the Navy achieve mandated end strength, the chief of naval personnel (CNP) said in an April 25 interview.

The ERB will eliminate overmanning in 31 ratings and will benefit high-performing Sailors in the long run by improving advancement opportunities. The Navy has witnessed improved retention over the past decade which can be attributed to factors such as work-life balance initiatives and improved recruiting. Additionally, the slow economic recovery has influenced many Sailors to re-enlist.

"We are attracting and retaining the highest quality force we've ever had and these Sailors are increasingly looking at the Navy as a great long-term career choice," stated chief of naval personnel, Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson. "With this sustained high retention, systems designed to help maintain the balance in our Force, particularly Perform-to-Serve, have become over-burdened. As a result, re-enlistment and advancement opportunities for our high-performing Sailors are being negatively impacted Fleet-wide."

The ERB will review Sailors in 31 of the most overmanned ratings and will look at performance to fill a specific number of retention quotas within competitive groups broken down by rating, pay grade and years of service. The board will value Sailors with proven performance in challenging billets, while Sailors with negative performance indicators such as convictions for drunk driving, declining performance evaluations, lost security clearances and non-judicial punishments will be less competitive for retention quotas.

By focusing on performance in addition to quotas, Navy reinforces its strategy to retain the best and brightest.

"In designing this board, we were determined to separate only those Sailors in ratings needed to rebalance the force and stay within our congressionally mandated manpower limits," Ferguson said.

Although the number directly affected by the ERB represents a small percentage of Sailors, the impacts will be felt across the force.

While Navy-wide advancement opportunities to E-5 declined modestly over the past several advancement cycles and E-6 opportunities remained relatively stable over the same period, opportunities to both E-5 and E-6 in the 31 ratings being considered have dropped steadily. Reducing overmanning in these ratings will result in career stability and will likely result in increased advancements in these ratings.

Not only will the ERB help stabilize advancement opportunity in the 31 ratings, currently undermanned ratings will benefit from the expanded conversion opportunity Navy leaders approved in advance of the board. Several factors that are normally mandatory for rating conversion, including maximum years of service, maximum paygrade, and minimum activity tour requirements, are being waived. This will allow the greatest opportunity for Sailors who would otherwise be board-eligible to ensure their continued service, while increasing manning in ratings that the Navy has been challenged to fill.

"Our Sailors are dedicated to serving their country, and this is why we are providing additional opportunities for them to convert into undermanned ratings ahead of the board," Ferguson said. "Sailors will see the benefits of increased manpower support in some critical areas."

Sailors chosen for conversion into the undermanned ratings listed in NAVADMIN 129/11 will be exempt from the board and will be given an opportunity to continue serving in areas of need for the Navy. The procedures for requesting conversion will be released by the beginning of May and applications will need to be received by June 15 to be considered.

A more balanced force - the goal of the ERB - will benefit the entire Fleet, Ferguson said.

"Improved advancement opportunities, expanded PTS re-enlistment quotas, and increased manpower support in needed ratings over the long term - these are the positive results," he said.

Record Retention, Shifting Missions Prompt Focused Navy Retention Board

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy announced April 14 that it will conduct a focused enlisted retention board (ERB) in August for 31 specific ratings.

The ERB will be conducted as a result of record high retention and low attrition among active duty Sailors and to meet current and future planned end strength controls.

Currently, the Navy is overmanned in 31 of its 84 ratings, and as a result, many ratings have limited Perform-to-Serve (PTS) quotas available, resulting in increased competition and reduced opportunity for strong performing Sailors to reenlist. In order to enable the PTS program to work as designed to shape the force, Navy leadership has determined it is necessary to increase the opportunity for top performing Sailors to compete for a quota.

"Programs like Perform-to-Serve and selective reenlistment bonus have been effective tools at optimizing and stabilizing our force strength. Retention behavior, coupled with the shift of 6,800 billets back to sea and development of our capabilities in key areas such as ballistic missile defense (BMD), cyber and information dominance has necessitated the establishment of the enlisted retention board to meet congressionally mandated end strength and to rebalance the force," explained Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson.

The board will review the records of selected third class petty officers (E-4) through senior chief petty officers (E-8) in the 31 overmanned ratings with greater than seven but less than 15 years of cumulative service as of Oct. 1 2011, and will be conducted in two independent phases -- Phase I will review E-4 to E-5 Sailors and will convene Aug. 22, 2011. Phase II will review E-6 to E-8 Sailors and will convene Sept. 26, 2011.

The specific ratings identified include the following:

- Aviation Boatswain's Mate Fuels (ABF)

- Aviation Machinist's Mate (AD)

- Aviation Electrician's Mate (AE)

- Aerographer's Mate (AG)

- Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM)

- Aviation Support Equipment Technician (AS)

- Aviation Electronics Technician (AT)

- Aircrewman Mechanical (AWF)

- Aircrew - Tactical Helicopter (AWR)

- Aircrew – Avionics (AWV)

- Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ)

- Builder (BU)

- Construction Electrician (CE)

- Construction Mechanic (CM)

- Engineering Aide (EA)

- Electrician's Mate Surface (EMSW)

- Equipment Operator (EO)

- Electronics Technician, Surface Warfare (ETSW)

- Fire Controlman (non-Aegis) (FC)

- Gas Turbine Systems Technician, Electrical (GSE)

- Machinist's Mate, Surface Warfare (MMSW)

- Mineman (MN)

- Machinery Repairman (MR)

- Operations Specialist (OS)

- Parachute Rigger (PR)

- Personnel Specialist (PS)

- Religious Program Specialist (RP)

- Ship's Serviceman (SH)

- Sonar Technician Surface (STG)

- Steelworker (SW)

- Utilitiesman (UT)

The board will exclude Sailors whose soft expiration of active obligated service (EAOS) date is in FY12 because they will be considered in PTS. The board will also exclude those who advanced to their current paygrade in cycles 208 (E-4/5/6), 209 (E-8/9), 210 (E-7), or 211 (E-4/5/6), are nuclear qualified, Joint Special Warfare Command enablers and those currently enrolled in the Navy's Safe Harbor program.

This quota-based board is anticipated to review roughly 16,000 records and will identify approximately 3,000 Sailors who will not be retained on active duty. In essence, this board will review roughly 6percent of the force to separate approximately 1 percent. Separation quotas will be developed by individual rating, pay grade and years of service, and will be published once the board convenes.

In an effort to provide maximum opportunities for conversion ahead of the board, eligibility requirements will be adjusted to allow eligible Sailors to convert to an undermanned rating prior to the board convening. Those Sailors approved for rating conversion prior to the board will be exempted. Procedures to apply for rating conversion will be published by May 1 and the applications must be received by June 15, 2011.

Those Sailors not selected for retention will need to separate by June 30, 2012, but qualified Sailors will be afforded the opportunity to compete for a Selected Reserve quota via PTS. The Career Transition Office (CTO) will be available to assist Sailors who desire to make this transition into the Reserve Component.

Sailors separated by this board will also have access to the Navy's transition assistance programs which includes the Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP), employment assistance, relocation assistance for separating members stationed overseas, and other benefits for members who are involuntarily separated. Members will also be eligible for involuntary separation pay.

"Navy values the service of every Sailor. The decision to establish this board was made after careful consideration, and will allow Navy to keep our very best Sailors in these overmanned ratings, improve advancement opportunity, and enable PTS to maintain this balance into the future. We also strove to afford Sailors the opportunity to shift ratings prior to the board and to affiliate with the reserves should they not be continued on active duty."

To read the ERB announcement, NAVADMIN 129/11, visit http://www.npc.navy.mil/.

CNO Announces Flag Officer Assignments

From Department of Defense Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced the following assignments March 28:

Rear Adm. Edward G. Winters will be assigned as deputy chief, Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq. Winters is currently serving as commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, San Diego, Calif.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Earl L. Gay will be assigned as commander, Navy Recruiting Command, Millington, Tenn. Gay is currently serving as commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Three/commander, Amphibious Group Three, San Diego, Calif.

Navy Moms Website Earns Top Award for Social Media

By MC2 (SCW) Michael B. Lavender, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Navy Recruiting Command's (NRC) "Navy For Moms" website was awarded the Optimas Service Award for 2010, at a ceremony held in Chicago, Ill., March 24.

Rear Adm. Craig Faller, commander, Navy Recruiting Command; accepted the award citing the benefits of using the web as a platform for people to share their Navy experiences.

"Our families are passionate about the pride they have in their sons and daughters serving in America's Navy," Faller said. "This passion shared through social media has grown beyond anything we could have imagined. Families of current Sailors sharing information with families of future Sailors really helps answer many of the questions about life in the Navy. Our recruiters are always available to answer questions, but when parents or even grandparents share their own experiences, it's really powerful."

The service award is given to the organization whose workforce management leaders have created an initiative to help another constituency within the organization meet its business goals. The U.S. Navy won for an outreach program to mothers, to help recruiters meet their enlistment goals.

The Optimas Award was created by Workforce Management and recognizes initiatives that create positive business results for organizations.

Since March 2008, when it was established, the website has attracted a network of 36,000 mothers who talk about subjects ranging from fear and loss to birthday gifts.

NAVYForMoms.com was created for the mothers (and loved ones) of those who are currently serving or considering serving in the U.S. Navy. Since its establishment in March 2008, more than 36,000 members have used the website to discuss issues with others who share common concerns.

The content on the webpage is member-driven. Questions are asked and answered. Moms share with fellow moms their fears, dreams, personal experiences and even birthday gift ideas. The ultimate goal is to provide an environment of understanding, comfort and belonging to all involved.

"I am overwhelmed by how much this website has meant to me," wrote one Navy mom. "It carried me through boot camp … and most importantly, stood in my shoes when my son was seriously hurt last March, in Florida. I went on the site and put out an SOS for moms to be with him until I could get there from Connecticut. The response was unbelievable. I am forever grateful to the moms and dads who rushed to his side. This forum is what has been needed for so long. We've had our group on Yahoo for about 19 years, but this is the type of thing that was needed most."

"I'm proud of what we've been able to do with this social media community, because it's an important part of our global force for good," Faller said. "In this case, the 'good' comes from shared experiences by our Sailors and their families. We often hear about Sailors helping Sailors throughout the Navy. Well, NavyforMoms is literally families helping other families."

NRC consists of a command headquarters, two Navy recruiting regions and 26 Navy recruiting districts which serve hundreds of recruiting stations across the country.

With 70 percent of the world covered in ocean, 80 percent of the world's population living near coasts and 90 percent of the world's commerce traveling by water, America's Navy is very much a global force for good. NRC's mission is to recruit the best men and women for America's Navy to accomplish today's missions and meet tomorrow's challenges.

Chicago Bulls Host New Recruit Division

By Lt. Cesar Mantilla, Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs

CHICAGO, Ill. (NNS) -- Future Sailors from Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Chicago got a once in a lifetime experience when they took their oath of enlistment on the United Center court, before the National Basketball Association (NBA) Chicago Bulls played the Washington Wizards March 17.

The 86 future Sailors proceeded onto the court before tip-off, arranged themselves into a formation and listened to brief remarks from Cmdr. Russell Delaney, commanding officer of NRD Chicago, before being sworn in by Capt. Steve Bethke, commanding officer of Recruit Training Command (RTC).

Delaney spoke about the quality of the character found in each new recruit.

"They are among the elite one-third of people in this age group who can even qualify for Navy service," Delaney said. "They stayed in school, avoided drugs, remained in good physical shape and respected the law."

After Delaney's remarks, Bethke administered the oath of enlistment. The fans rose to their feet.

Seaman Recruit Mark Szczuka, 27, of Florissant, Mo., was one of the recruits sworn in. He said was overwhelmed by it all.

"It took a lot to restrain myself and hold back tears at times, especially with my chain of command there and roughly 20,000 people, almost all of whom were on their feet," Szczuka said. "There's nothing like it."

Chief Machinist's Mate (SW) Othoniel Calixtomontanez, Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Smith Predelus and Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class (AW) Rashay Stokes, Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs) at RTC, were on hand to train the new division and participate in the ceremony. They received the division at the Chicago Military Entrance Processing Station that afternoon and took them to an off-site location to train and mentor them.

"Pretty much, they told us how to compose ourselves in a manner of integrity," Szczuka said. "They told us not to mess around and joke around because we're not just representing ourselves and our division but the entire Navy. They also taught us how to line up and march. I particularly remember learning how to pivot."

After spending the afternoon with their RDCs learning how to execute the ceremony, recruits were bused to the United Center and observed pre-game warm-ups from the floor seats.

For Seaman Recruit Adam Comegys, 19, of Valparaiso, Ind., the pre-game VIP treatment was his favorite part.

"I enjoyed sitting down by the court before the game started," Comegys said. "We were close to all the action and the players practicing."

The recruits watched the players warm up for 90 minutes before they headed to a holding area just below the stands to receive final instructions. After Bethke swore them in, officially making them recruits, Johnny Bach, a retired Bulls assistant coach and Navy World War II veteran, presented a special Bulls team guidon to the lead RDC Calixtomontanez.

"The guidon bolsters team cohesion and esprit de corps," Bethke said.

Throughout the night, fans randomly congratulated them. Szczuka enjoyed that part.

"The best parts about the night were the greetings and cheers from just random fans," Szczuka said. "Every once in awhile, somebody would give a shout out to the Navy and to us in particular, so that was pretty reassuring."

After the game, the recruits got on a bus and departed for RTC to begin their training. When they successfully complete boot camp training, they will graduate and join the fleet.

For more news on Navy boot camp, visit http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/.

Chicago Educators, Leaders Visit the Fleet

By Lt. Jeffrey S. Gray, Chief of Naval Personnel-Diversity Directorate Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- A group of educators and community leaders from Chicago had an opportunity to tour various Navy commands and get underway aboard a fast attack submarine during an orientation visit in San Diego, March 8–10.

The group was comprised of educators from Chicago Public Schools, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the City Colleges of Chicago, along with influencers from the Chicago Defender Charities, the Chicago Community Trust, and the Society of African-American Professionals.

The visit was a result of a partnership between Navy Recruiting Command and Navy City Outreach designed to give influential educational and civic leaders a glimpse of life in the U.S. Navy so that they can be better prepared to discuss Navy opportunities with youth they come in contact with. The visit also served as a Navy awareness tool, ensuring these leaders see first-hand the training, equipment and facilities available to those in the Navy.

The first leg of the trip afforded the group an opportunity to meet with Capt. Adam Curtis, commanding officer of the Navy Special Warfare Center. At the Special Warfare Center, the group was introduced to the U.S. Navy SEALs by way of a video entitled "Mental Toughness." The video portrayed initial SEAL training as extremely demanding, both mentally and physically, to produce the best maritime warriors.

According to Curtis, with the demand for unconventional warfare to counter terrorist threats, the need to increase the number of Navy SEALs is a high priority. However, he noted the Navy SEALs have traditionally had a high attrition rate in the recruitment and training process.

"We're always on the lookout for the talented athlete and have seen an increase in the number of volunteers wanting to become SEALs, especially due to our partnership with Navy Recruiting Command," said Curtis. "We've been targeting our outreach efforts to identify and encourage the right type of young men to pursue and become a part of our special group. Our outreach efforts have now made it competitive to become a Navy SEAL, both from inside and outside the Navy."

The group also visited the Pacific Beacon, a new resort-style residence hall for single Sailors that opened in 2009. The stop at Pacific Beacon provided the group an opportunity to glimpse into the quality of life young Sailors can experience.

The facility boasts a hotel-style lobby; Sky Terrace with resort-style heated pool and hot tub; and a rooftop lounge with fire pits and barbecues. Other on-site amenities range from three fitness centers totaling 9,000 square feet, retail and dry cleaning services to a Wi-Fi café; recreational and educational facilities, and storage units.

Rounding out the first day, the group toured the Submarine Learning Center. The Center is responsible for all submarine training curriculum, training delivery methodologies, and for developing and maintaining professional development continuums for undersea warfare job specialties. The group had an opportunity to experience what it's like to drive a nuclear submarine. In addition, they observed how submariners train to fight fires and fix leaks aboard ship, especially when thousands of gallons of water pour into various submarine spaces.

On the second day, the group embarked USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) for a day-long underway period. During their brief journey, the group experienced what life is really like on a U.S. Navy fast attack submarine and sampled the culinary fare Sailors eat while at sea.

According to Robert Howard, former president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, the trip gave him an appreciation for the submarine crew.

"The cruise highlighted the complexities of operating a nuclear submarine, the education and training requirements, and the youthfulness of the crew," said Howard. "I now have an even higher level of respect for the Navy and its mission."

On the final day, the group visited and toured the state-of-the-art simulator used to train Sailors for the newest ships in the Navy—Littoral Combat Ships USS Freedom (LCS 1) and USS Independence (LCS 2), and also toured the USS Pinckney (DDG 91). The highlight of the day for many, however, was a visit with Chicago-native Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, commander, Naval Surface Forces.

Curtis provided an overview of the mission and purpose of U.S. Naval Surface Forces, Navy surface forces currently deployment status, and local community outreach efforts.

He also addressed other fleet-wide issues including prioritizing readiness issues with current global issues, Navy support for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs, as well as diversity initiatives, among others.

For many in this group of educators and community leaders, it was the first time they had any direct experience with what the Navy does on a daily basis. The impact of the orientation visit was apparent from the two remarks educators offered of how they gained a new appreciation for the mission of the Navy, the opportunities it presents for young men and women looking for careers after graduation from their respective academic institutions.

"The U.S. Navy is an outstanding career option for major and minority college students providing them solid financial security and a life-long learning environment," said Gerald A. Smith, Associate Director of Minority Affairs, Minority Engineering Recruitment and Retention Program, at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

"The challenge will be communicating the opportunities in a way that makes sense. If I can identity academic and physical excellence in a student, I would want that student to be fully aware of their opportunities. With more than 100,000 diverse students in the City Colleges of Chicago, I feel that we have an opportunity to make an impact," said Mike Davis, Vice Provost for STEM at the City Colleges of Chicago.

The mission of Navy City Outreach is to build strong relationships and social networks with key influencers (educators, civic, government, and business leaders) within targeted cities across the country. The purpose for creating these social networks is to build a community of people who share an interest in the values and mission of the U.S. Navy, and a sincere desire to encourage youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue higher education and undergraduate degrees in the STEM fields.