The Delayed Entry Program (DEP) pool is at an all-time high at 67.7 percent. That achievement means that recruiters will spend more time mentoring DEPpers during their average six-month time in DEP to prepare them for recruit training command and success in the Navy.
During the year, recruiters faced a challenge with a mandatory test being updated. July 1, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) was re-normed to better reflect education trends in America's youth. The Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) portion of the ASVAB determines eligibility to enlist. The ASVAB re-norm lowered applicants' scores. But even when faced with that challenge, recruiters accessed 69.9 percent with an AFQT score above 50, above the goal of 67 percent.
Cyberspace recruiting at Navy Recruiting headquarters contributed to the successful year by generating more than 3,000 qualified leads and 422 contracts. Cyberspace recruiting accepts resumes from applicants via the Internet and follows up with them to determine which ones are fully qualified to join the Navy. Those leads are then referred to their local recruiter.
"It's always good to know I've helped someone change their life," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Sybil Hawkins. Hawkins is the top Cyberspace recruiter for FY'04, with more than 486 leads and 35 contracts during the year.
The FY'04 active-duty enlisted recruiting goal initially was 41,200, but various factors, including strong retention and reduced attrition, enabled Navy leadership to decrease the goal during the year by 1,500 recruits.
“Navy Recruiting is continuing to seek quality recruits to join our high-tech Navy," said Fowler. "Over the next year, we will be seeking more minority officer candidates to lead our diverse workforce and will continue to recruit highly qualified enlisted Sailors to operate the Navy’s complex platforms of the future."
For FY'05, the national active-duty enlisted goal is 38,500. Reserve enlisted goal is 15,400, up from 11,000 in FY'04.
