appointment   or   request   for   referrals. All   the friend-finding  efforts  should  not  be  limited  to  potential prospects.  Have  the  recruiter  approach  potential  COIs the same way. Somehow, going out to find a friend of the Navy is not nearly as awe-inspiring as going out to find  someone  to  enlist. Team PDCing Another technique that can increase your PDCing contacts  is  team  PDCing.  Pair  up  recruiters  to  canvass an area. There is more confidence in numbers. It can be especially   effective   when   you   team   inexperienced recruiters with those who have been productive PDCers. They can learn from each other and are usually more effective as a team than they would be alone. Using Recruiting Advertising Items Some  recruiters  like  to  PDC  using  a  recruiting advertising (RAD) item. The RAD item gives them a reason for starting a conversation with the prospect and can  serve  as  a  lead-in.  By  referring  to  pictures  and passages  in  the  RAD  item,  the  recruiter  has  a  planned approach  to  conversation  with  the  prospect. PROSPECTING – AN ONGOING EVOLUTION Prospecting is an ongoing evolution. Recruiters and supervisors who truly believe in their product cannot help but be constantly on the alert for someone who may  benefit  from  Navy  opportunities.  Prospecting opportunities are everywhere. You stop on the way to work to pick up your dry cleaning. Perhaps the lady behind the counter has a son or daughter looking for college   money.   You   go   to   lunch,   the   young   man bussing  tables  looks  bright  and  enthusiastic.  The waitress says she wishes she had a chance to travel. You pick up a newspaper later in the day. The salesman has pictures of his family behind the register. You drop by  the  barbershop  for  a  haircut.  Several  customers  are waiting.  They  all  know  someone  you  could  talk  to about Navy opportunities if asked properly. You stop on the way home for milk and bread. The cashier is curious about your ribbons. The bagboy is wearing a letter jacket from a local high school with this year’s grad date sewn on it. Later, you take your family out to a  movie.  You  have  the  opportunity  to  talk  with  the ticket clerk, the usher, and the concession folks. Just look  around.  Potential  sailors  are  everywhere. ENLISTMENT   ELIGIBILITY Our  discussion  of  enlistment  eligibility  will  be abbreviated  due  to  fluctuating  enlistment  requirements. Enlistment  eligibility  requirements  are  prescribed  by  the Navy  Recruiting  Manual  -  Enlisted,  COMNAVCRUIT- COMINST 1130.8. Frequent changes are issued to this instruction  due  to  current  Navy  needs.  It  is  imperative that  all  recruiters  keep  their  manuals  up  to  date  to maintain accuracy and integrity. Thorough blueprinting is necessary to ensure all eligibility requirements are met.  In  the  following  paragraphs  we  discuss  basic enlistment eligibility requirements, program qualifications,   waivers, and   referrals   to   officer programs. BASIC  ENLISTMENT  ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Basic  enlistment  eligibility  requirements  (BEERs) are   requirements   that   every   enlistee   must   meet, regardless of the type or length of his or her program. BEERs categories include name, age, social security number,   citizenship,   education,   dependency,   prior service, Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) scores, drug   usage,   police   involvement,   and   physical requirements. Age The minimum enlistment age for enlistment is 17 years  old.  Applicants  who  have  not  reached  their  18th birthday   will   require   their   parents’   consent.   The maximum  age  for  enlistment  for  nonprior  service individuals is 34. They must not have reached their 35th birthday. The maximum age for reenlistment of individuals  with  prior  service  is  determined  as  follows. Applicants must be able to complete enough service creditable  for  transfer  to  the  Fleet  Reserve  before reaching their 55th birthday or complete 30 years’ active duty service before their 65th birthday. Social Security Number All applicants must have a social security number before  enlistment.  Since  1943,  the  social  security number  has  been  used  as  the  member’s  military personnel  identification  number  upon  entering  the  Navy. Citizenship To be eligible for enlistment in the U.S. Navy or Naval Reserve, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen, a 6-14