contracts.  Another  after  action  item  to  take  care  of is  recognition  for  all  those  who  extended  a  helping hand through monetary support, publicity, or labor. You   can   use   your   own   ideas   for   appropriate recognition or request that the NRD provide letters, plaques, or recruiting referral recognition awards, as appropriate. SPECIAL NAVY RECRUITING EVENTS There  are  many  special  Navy  recruiting  events that  can  increase  Navy  awareness.  EOVs,  ship visits, Navy cruises, and local Navy recruiting station (NRS)  generated  events  can  all  enhance  our  public affairs  programs. Educator Orientation Visits The   SOPMAN,   COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 5400.2,  provides  policies  and  procedures  for conducting EOVs to Navy training and fleet sites in support  of  Navy  recruiting.  EOVs  are  designed  to strengthen  civilian  educator  awareness  of  the professional   training   methods   and   outstanding educational  opportunities  available  to  young  men and   women   in   the   Navy. Selected  educators, escorted  by  Navy  recruiting  personnel,  tour  various Naval  Education  and  Training  Command  activities and  fleet  sites  to  view  the  training  of  today’s  Navy men  and  women.  Tours  include  briefings,  meetings, and  conferences  with  Navy  officials,  ship  visits, discussions   with   recruits   and   students,   and familiarization visits to classroom sessions, berthing, messing,   recreational   areas,   and   other   support activities. AUTHORIZED   PARTICIPANTS.–   E OV participants  must  be  bona  fide  educators  or  adult youth   group   advisors,   including  Boy  Scouts  of America  executives,  Explorer  chairmen,  school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, school board  members,  2-  and  4-year  college  professors, placement   officials,   and   coaches.   Representatives of  state  Department  of  Labor  employment  offices may   also   be   included. Media   representation   is encouraged. With   limitations, media representatives,  high  school  or  college  journalists and  student  leaders,  and  clergy  members  may  also be  included.  Participants  must  pay  for  their  own lodging  and  meals. HOW   YOU   CAN   CONTRIBUTE   TO   THE EOV.–  The   NRD   will   do   the   planning   and preparation   for   the   EOV.   In   fact,   the   NRD commanding   officer   (CO)   and/or   executive   officer (XO)  and  the  education  specialist  (EDSPEC)  will host   the   visit   themselves.   The   NRD,   however, cannot  make  the  EOV  work  for  you.  Only  you  can do   that.   When   the   NRD   announces   dates   and destination   for   an   EOV,   you   need   to   ensure   all recruiters   are   trained   on   soliciting   participants. They  also  need  to  know  how  to  decide  who  the most advantageous participants would be. A natural tendency is to invite those educators who have been supportive  in  the  past.  This  may  be  a  nice  reward, but  think  of  the  increased  support  you  could  get from  previously  negative  or  neutral  educators  once they see what the Navy is all about. Get  involved  with  these  people.  Accompany  the recruiter  to  the  school  or  agency  and  help  sell  that individual on participating in the EOV. Take a look at  some  of  the  administrators  that  might  have  the power   to   give   your   recruiters   better   access   to schools  and  lists.  Another  way  you  may  be  able  to make  the  EOV  a  success  is  by  participating  as  an escort.  One  escort  is  required  for  every  15  guests. As  an  escort,  you  are  in  a  position  to  get  to  know the  educators  and  leaders  outside  of  their  normal trappings   and   vice   versa.   Many   friendships   and recruiting  partnerships  are  the  result  of  an  EOV. Being an escort is a great way to show off your Navy with pride. Ship Visits and Navy Cruises Ship visits and Navy cruises in support of Navy recruiting are covered   in the   SOPMAN, COMNAVCRUITCOMINST   5400.2.   Ship   visits provide  opportunities  to  generate  positive  Navy awareness.  In  addition,  ship  visits  allow  prospects, DEP  personnel,  educators,  media,  and  COIs  to  see Navy  life  firsthand.  Navy  cruises  expose  educators and   community   leaders   to   the   Navy   in   an operational  setting. SHIP  VISITS.–   The  primary  objective  of  the ship visits program is to expose visitors to shipboard life   and   operations,   encouraging   contact   between them  and  the  crew.  Another  objective  is  to  expose the  media  and  COIs  to  the  training  received  and skills  employed  by  Navy  men  and  women.  The NRD PAO will normally act as the port visit action officer. Your   responsibilities   will   include maximizing  publicity  for  the  visit  and  coordinating tours  for  DEP  personnel  and  prospects  from  your area.  You  may  also  have  the  opportunity  to  “work” the   crowd   in   an   information   booth   or   roving 7-9