CAN THE NEW WOMEN TEAMS INITIATIVE HELP US NAVY RECRUITING?
We need Sailors. This is an obvious statement that continues to grow in importance as US Navy recruiting efforts are hitting resistance from multiple angles. All the while, the future of warfare points to the heightened importance of having a naval fleet capable of dominating large bodies of water. US Navy enlisted recruiting is offering potential bonuses that can reach into six figures, a welcomed enticement for anyone. However, culture change is also a must. Now, the branch is implementing a new female Navy team initiative as a way to attract and retain women among its ranks. Suggested read: Breaking Down the Army Reenlistment Bonus Suspension
Is the US Navy Recruiting?
As a volunteer force, US Navy recruiting efforts are always underway. Sailors are needed for a variety of roles to protect our nation’s interests in waterways near and far. Recent US Navy recruitment is down for several reasons including poor marketing, lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, the negative perception of military culture from younger generations, and more. For female Navy recruits, one particularly worrying issue is the risk of sexual harassment or violence that can occur on ships. While there is still a way to go, the Navy is listening and rolling out all-female teams. They are also adding more chaplins to ships to help with mental health resources and to curtail unwanted behaviors. Related read: Military Recruiting: Gaming and Teen Recruitment
Women Teams Helping Retain and Recruit Female Sailors
Female Sailors are having their voices heard as US Navy recruiting becomes more innovative, looking for ways to help retain and recruit women for its fleet. This includes the creation of the Navy Women's Initiatives Team. This group helps create policy changes for female Sailors to help retain and recruit a higher numbers of volunteers. While the Navy already had groups for such issues, they were informal and often required a grassroots approach. The new initiative is making things official and amplifying the voices of women in the Navy. The Navy Office of Women's Policy meets quarterly to record what challenges women are facing during their service. It consists of 27 commands that have a senior enlisted leader and officer to lead each team. While the Navy WITs are aimed at the needs of women in the force, men can join the initiative. Even civilians can get on board through proper channels to help inspire change and increase US Navy recruiting. Both the Army and Air Force already have programs with similar goals working to help female service members.
It’s a Good Start to Help US Navy Recruiting Efforts, However...
The Navy continues to move in a female-positive manner by changing policies involving uniform requirements, allowing eyelash extensions, lifting its ban on loc hairstyles, and more. However, there is still more to do as the new process in place will take some time. Regardless, Sailors seem to welcome the changes and the future looks better because of them. US Navy recruiting is hoping to see help from the program and women should be safer because of it. However, multiple issues still need to be addressed. Politics on both sides are hindering US Navy recruiting from a generation that doesn’t trust institutions. There’s also the fact that even potential six-figure bonuses are having a hard time competing with the current job market. Mental health headlines involving Sailors have not exactly been positive over the last few years and reports of subpar living conditions on and off ships are also not helping. If US Navy recruitment wants to improve its efforts and get more Sailors, recruits are going to have to gain a stronger trust of the force before signing up. Read next: Sarah Emma Edmonds Dressed as a Man to Join the Union