JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
To continue supporting the U.S. Navy’s recruitment of high-qualified men and women in Central and South Texas, San Antonio’s Navy Talent Acquisition Group Assistance Council, or NTAGAC, held its first meeting of the year via video conference Jan. 19.
The meeting was attended by members of the community to include retired service members, civic/veteran groups, educators and business representatives.
According to retired Navy Rear Adm. Eric Young, NTAGAC chairman, council members assist Navy Recruiting by joining talents available in Navy-related organizations, the civilian community and the Naval Reserve.
“It is a resource for NTAG San Antonio to tether the talents available in the civilian community to assist in the recruiting effort,” said Young, a local financial advisor. “Additionally, the NTAGAC provides direct referrals, help increase Navy Awareness, provide inroads to centers of influence and assist in promotion and support of special events.”
One of the key topics of the meeting was continuing to educate the community about career opportunities in the Navy to include the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship Program and maintaining/increasing recruiter visibility in high schools.
Cmdr. Michael Files, NTAG commanding officer, briefed the attendees on the state of Navy recruiting in the region and members of his staff provided recommendations on engagement with future Sailors currently in the Navy’s Delayed Entry Program.
Another recommendation to be researched is hosting a virtual town hall meeting to provide future Sailors’ families and the public the opportunity to ask questions about the recruiting process and life in the Navy.
“Recruiting is not only the responsibility of the military recruiter,” Young said. “It’s every veterans’ responsibility as well.”
NTAG San Antonio’s area of responsibility includes two Talent Acquisition Onboarding Centers, which manage more than 34 Navy Recruiting Stations and Navy Officer Recruiting Stations spread throughout 144,000 square miles of Central and South Texas territory.