NEW YORK –
In the face of sudden instability and great uncertainty, the New York City Recruiting Battalion has risen above the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Demonstrating great leadership and dedication to the mission, the members of the NYCRB used creative thinking to find innovative ways to continue recruiting during this time of social distancing.
From virtual career fairs to hosting Instagram-live videos to volunteering, recruiters have successfully pivoted to generate leads and engage potential recruits.
The Patchogue and Smithtown Stations answered the call to service by volunteering their time and donating food to first responders. More specifically, Patchogue donated food to Patchogue EMTs, and the Smithtown station donated to the Stony Brook Hospital. The Bay Shore, Selden and Riverhead stations are planning to donate food to first responders in the near future.
“Our recruiters continue to be model citizens and leaders in the communities,” said 1LT Shea Mullins, company commander of Suffolk Recruiting Company. “I couldn’t be more proud of what they do on a daily basis.”
The Jamaica Recruiting Station is utilizing virtual recruiting to its full potential. Sgt. 1st Class Melissa Scott, Army recruiter assigned to the Jamaica Recruiting Station, teamed up with the Army ROTC program at St. John’s University to conduct a bi-weekly webinar to start virtual outreach for individuals interested in becoming officers in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve. Scott’s main focus is explaining the Minuteman Scholarship opportunity and also providing answers to questions about Officer Candidate School and the Green to Gold program.
The battalion staff is working hard to support its companies in the form of web advertising, digital and broadcast radio, email targeting, local television commercials, digital news and podcasts. The team refuses to let this invisible enemy dictate its success in recruiting. If anything, the NYCRB plans to come out of this situation stronger, better connected, and more tech-savvy than ever before.