Navy  Parachute  Team The Navy  Parachute  Team  (NPT)  in  Support  of Recruiting,   COMNAVCRUITCOMINST   5720.18, provides  policy  and  guidance  on  the  NPT.  The team, known as the Leap Frogs, is composed of Sea Air, Land (SEAL) personnel from the Navy’s special warfare  groups.    The  team  is  based  at  the  Naval Amphibious  Base,  Coronado,  California.  The  Leap Frogs consist of approximately 10 enlisted personnel and  1  officer.  They  assist  recruiting  at  community events  throughout  the  nation. In  addition  to well-executed  and  colorful  performances,  members of the team also assist recruiting by speaking to high school   classes   and   youth   groups,   appearing   at hospitals and on local radio and television programs, and  talking  with  spectators,  DEP  personnel,  and prospects  before  and  after  performances.  At  least one   member   of   the   team   will   work   with   local recruiters at recruiting booths or exhibits after each performance. Navy Balloon Team The  Nayy  Balloon  Team  (NBT)  in  Support  of Recruiting,   COMNAVCRUITCOMINST   5720.22, provides  guidance  and  policy  on  the  NBT.  The team  is  operated  and  maintained  by  the  NRD, Albuquerque,  New  Mexico.  The  NBT  has  two balloons that alternate between serving as a practice and  crew  certification  platform  and  as  a  show balloon.  The  balloon  can  be  used  in  two  modes  of operation–free-flight   or   tethered.   The   majority   of the   events   are   conducted   in   the   tethered   mode. Any person may be embarked in the balloon during tethered  flight.  Free-flight  rides  are  limited  to  (1) prospective  recruits,  (2)  opinion  leaders,  VIPs,  and other  individuals  who,  by  their  influence,  can  help build   public   understanding   of   the   Navy   and   its mission,  (3)  news  media  representatives,  (4)  active duty  military  and  federal  government  personnel  in conjunction  with  recruiting  activities,  and  (5) immediate  family  members  (over  the  age  of  10)  of NRD  Albuquerque  personnel.  The  possibility  of canceling   a   balloon   performance   due   to   adverse weather conditions dictates that the Navy balloon be used as a method of enhancing the Navy’s image at an  event  or  location  where  large  numbers  of spectators  are  already  assembled  It  should  not  be used  as  the  single  performance  for  a  gathering where   cancellation   would   result   in   a   negative reaction  by  the  general  public. Blue Angels The Navy  Flight  Demonstration  Squadron  (Blue A n g e l s )    i n    S u p p o r t    o f    R e c r u i t i n g , COMNAVCRUITCOMINST   5720.20,   provides policy   and   guidance   for   the   Blue   Angels.   The instruction   includes   detailed   instructions   for requests, planning and preparation, and formats for 1-  and  2-day  shows. The  Blue  Angels’  primary mission  is  to  enhance  the  recruiting  effort.  A  Blue Angels’ visit can be a tremendous asset to recruiting, if properly planned and coordinated. Early planning and  close  coordination  with  the  air  show  sponsor and  the  Blue  Angels  are  absolutely  necessary  to ensure   a   smooth   and   successful   recruiting   effort during  the  visit. Performance   requests   must   be submitted  before  1  July  of  the  year  preceding  the event. Sponsorship of Performance Teams The  cost  of  transportation  per  diem,  vehicles, fuel, and incidental expenses for performance teams is normally paid by the sponsoring activity. Military sponsors  such  as  your  NRD  may  issue  Tango numbers  directly  to  the  team  to  fund  the  trip. Civilian sponsors may support the costs of the team by  presenting  a  check  to  COMNAVCRUITCOM  a minimum  of  30  days  before  the  perforrmance.  A combination   of   support   between   military   and civilian  show  sponsors  is  also  an  option.  These performances   can   become   very   expensive.   If   you would  like  to  bring  a  performance  team  to  your area, work closely with your PAO and never directly with  the  team  itself,  until  all  funding  is  approved and scheduled You can create interest in your area and urge civilian sponsorship efforts. Local business establishments  will  often  donate  meals,  lodging  or other   expenses   to   help   support   the   performance teams. After the Performance After   action   reports   are   required   for   most performance  team  events.  These  will  require  your input  to  the  NRD.  The  most  important  after  action requirement,   however,   is   follow-up.   If   you   have worked  the  performance  right,  recruiters  will  have obtained  prospect  names  and  numbers  and  made potential   COI   contacts. Make  an  immediate follow-up  while  the  interest  is  peaked.  Supervisors need  to  stay  on  top  of  the  referrals  and  contacts garnered   from   these   performances   to   ensure maximum  effort  is  made  to  turn  the  publicity  into 7-8