The Navy is “cautiously optimistic” that it will achieve its recruiting goals for the year despite the coronavirus pandemic that has caused most activities to grind to a halt.
Navy Times reports that although there was a three-week pause this spring in recruiting because of the pandemic, the service still expects to reach its goal by allowing recruit classes to expand from 500 to 750 recruits per week.
The Navy plans to add 40,800 personnel to its ranks for fiscal 2020.
A recruit tested positive for COVID-19 in March, which causes the three-week stoppage. The Navy has adapted by having recruits isolate 14 days before heading for boot camp, and stipulates another 14-day “restriction of movement” once arriving.
All recruiting efforts are now done virtually, although some recruiting stations are starting to reopen, according to the report.
As of May 18, there have been 5,727 COVID-19 cases and two deaths across all branches of the military.
MAIN PHOTO: GREAT LAKES, Ill. (May 14, 2020) Recruits march in formation at Recruit Training Command. More than 35,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Amy Johnson/Released)
