On March 09, 2023, five sailors from Navy Talent Acquisition Groups (NTAGs) across the country traveled to the Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit (NORU) for the presentation of the Master Chief Bakarian Memorial Award and Officer Recruiter Distinguished Graduate Award. The awards, presented quarterly, are designed to recognize new recruiters for high production within their first twelve months of recruiting duty. The award ceremony is being reintroduced for the first time since 2018 after a brief hiatus due to COVID-19.

The awardees began their visit by answering questions and providing valuable feedback to NORU officers and instructors. They shared information on the struggles recruiters face, as well as some best practices they’ve gained from the field.

“It really is 36 one month tours” says Electronics Technician 2nd Class Alexandria Douglas from NTAG Mid America. “You constantly have to be getting ready for the next thing. This is independent duty, so all the rewards and consequences are on you.”

She continued with a piece of advice for recruiters, expressing that “staying in contact with the people you go to school with at NORU is one of your best resources because everyone is learning how to do it together. You may not know who, but someone’s going to have an answer for you.”

NORU Officer-in-Charge Commander Nicholas Turner and NORU instructor Senior Chief Theodore Boerner then presented these sailors with the highest award in Navy recruiting.

Boerner highlighted the award’s namesake, Navy Counselor Master Chief Anthony Bakarian. “He made goal 30 consecutive months in a row. He was a person who always put his recruiters first, and epitomized a leader in both his actions and his appearance.” His guidance and dedication continue to inspire the Navy’s recruiting force at more than 1,000 stations today.

Upon their return to NORU, the five distinguished sailors also provided words of wisdom to current students at the schoolhouse.

Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Weng Chan shared his own story with a class of Enlisted recruiters. “I moved to the United States when I was 19. 7 years later, I joined the Navy. What makes YOU unique?” he asks the students. “For my applicants, I give them confidence. If I can do it, they can do it. Once you have your own style, it gets easier.”

A common theme shared by the awardees is their willingness to adapt, not only to overcome adversities, but also to change their prospecting methods. These highly motivated recruiters are able to take techniques learned at NORU and transform them into a successful strategy for connecting with prospects.

“Stuff is changing all the time in recruiting,” says Navy Counselor 2nd Class Moises Casusocasales of NTAG Southwest. “Do something different, and try to be well rounded. You’re talking to 17 and 18 year olds. You want them to associate the Navy with having fun!””

The award recipients are as follows:

Master Chief Bakarian Award Winners:

In attendance – QM2 Michael Nolan, NTAG Nashville, NRS Kingsport

ET2 Alexandria Douglas, NTAG Mid America, NRS Wichita East

NC2 Moises Casusocasales, NTAG Southwest, NRS Las Vegas

MM2 Weng Chan, NTAG Empire State, NRS Elmhurst

STG1 William Harris, NTAG San Antonio, NRS Ingram

ABF1 Leo Hernandez, NTAG Southwest, NRS National City

ETN2 Jonathan Spanel, NTAG Carolina, NRS Jacksonville

MMAC Paul Tanguay, NTAG New England, NRS Springfield

QM2 Tyshawn Scott, NTAG Houston, NRS North Shore

ABE1 Thomas Echeverria, NTAG Pittsburgh, NRS Batavia

AWF1 Stavros Litras, NTAG Empire State, NRS Downtown Brooklyn

Officer Recruiter Distinguished Graduate Winners:

In attendance – LT Chad Bylsma, NTAG New England

HM1 Reyvictor Chua, NTAG New England

The Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit is the Navy’s sole recruiting schoolhouse, providing technical and professional training to Enlisted and Officer personnel from every community that will help them succeed in today’s challenging recruiting environment.