New from DC

[JTNavyAnchor]

Hi all,

I came across The Navy Cafe in a google search and you have some great, insightful discussion going on here!

I am from DC (well orig. from Boston) and I moved here to get my marketing career started.

One of the recent projects that I'm involved in is helping the U.S. Navy develop an online strategy. It's exciting to see that the Navy is taking such a forward-thinking approach to informing people online. If you are in the Navy, are a Navy veteran, or just simply have an idea for me, definitely feel free to send me a message :smile:

[Retired Navy Chief]

As a 20+ year navy veteran and a prior recruiter ... I believe that sites like this one, while not actual official Navy websites, are probably the Navy's best resource for getting information out there today.

Experience has led me to believe that people will look to find information about the military in general from sources that they deem non-threatening and less intimidating than going to talk to a recruiter. Noone likes a pushy car salesman, right ?
The internet is by far the biggest advance we have made. TV commercials do ok, Blue Angel air shows & sponsored race cars are cool too ... but they don't answer peoples questions.

The only drawback that I can see is the fact that the information on websites like this may be somewhat skewed, depending on the core people running and participating the site. Take this site for example ... very dedicated group of people are running this site as admins and such .... and we have a fair mix of active duty & retired members as well as VERY knowledgable parents of sailors who can effectively filter fact from fiction.

We even have an active duty recruiter who pops her head in here once in a while (not nearly enough) to give input. There may be times when "trolls" roll through, serving no other purpose than to discourage our future sailors and steer them away from honorably serving their country. Comes with the territory I guess. I think everyone else handles them ok though ...

I believe that if more active duty sailors from all different job fields were to stop by to give personal insight about their lives and views of the Navy ... more people would consider joining. It's a great life ... just not everyone can see that and it's not often something that can be adequately explained by a recruiting ad.


Anyway ... that's my take on things, your mileage may vary.
cheers,
PISTOL

[navykline]

agreed as stated, sites like myspace and youtube need to be plastered with navy info and ads. I would also look into facebook this would target millions mostly young viewers.