Since 2005, cyberspace recruiters have served as the online presence for Navy recruiting. Whether it is as a source of information or a means of connecting an applicant to a field recruiter, these sailors provide a valuable service to not only Navy Recruiting Command, but the Navy as a whole.
For Petty Officer 2nd Class Jhoana Simbul, an electrician’s mate and cyberspace recruiter at NRC, this service isn’t just about what the Navy wants but also what the potential applicant needs.
“I’m the first person they talk to before they go to the local recruiter,” Simbul said. “I ask questions and make sure they are on the right path. I make sure they understand what they are doing and that they are making the best decision possible for themselves.”
Now on the other end of the recruiting process, Simbul said she still remembers how she decided which path was right for herself.
“I was born and raised in the Philippines, but I joined the Navy out of Malden, Massachusetts,” she said. “As a 17-year-old, I joined because I wanted to move my family here and get my mom here so that she can get her citizenship. Throughout the years, I realized there was a fulfillment that I got from serving and making a difference. Looking back, enlisting was definitely the best way I could do that and give back.”
Adapting to New Cultures
Although Simbul was from another country, the Olongapo City native didn’t take long to acclimate to her new environment.
“Moving from the Philippines to Massachusetts and joining the Navy after a year, the whole experience was a big [change] for me,” she said. “I had to adapt quickly. It wasn’t hard though, it was actually kind of fun. Understanding new cultures and learning about the world is a blast. I guess I’m just a little adventurous because there is a certain thrill I get from meeting new people and trying new things.”
Through all of her experiences, Simbul says that she has undergone a lot of personal growth since she enlisted seven years ago. She also says that her time at NRC has helped her grow professionally.
“Being here at Navy Recruiting Command has given me the confidence to voice my opinion and have it heard,” she said. “I can be more of a leader, and I know that when I go back to the fleet, I can apply the things I have learned from the people I work with at cyberspace. I had the best leadership I could ask for and I just hope I can pass that on in the future.”
Professional Growth
Looking ahead, Simbul said she hopes to develop her leadership skills even further.
“I want to be an officer,” she said. “I have finished my associate’s degree and I’m in the process of applying to Arizona State for electrical engineering and doing my Seaman to Admiral package so that I can cross over from enlisted. I hope to one day be an engineering officer. I just want to be someone who can leave a legacy to my family and make them proud.”
When asked what she found to be the most satisfying part of her life so far, the cyberspace recruiter said it’s something that she does every day.
“The thing I am most proud of in my life is my service,” Simbul said. “I really want to do something that will change people’s lives, change people’s thinking or touch somebody’s life. I think serving takes me one step closer to that goal.”