Navy Recruiter From Brazil Achieves Centurion
by U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Joshua Wahl
October 5, 2020

Navy recruiting, like most things in life, is what you make of it. You can give it your all hoping for success, or you can go halfway and find yourself frustrated. For Navy Counselor 1st Class Edson Felismino, the goal is to balance the two extremes.

A Curitiba, Brazil native, Felismino came to the United States looking for new opportunities. He worked various jobs before finding a position as a machine shop technician. With time, he noticed himself wanting to grow into a more meaningful career with the Navy's offers and options, which set him on a new path.

"My Navy recruiter was very helpful and took the time to work with me," said Felismino. "I felt like I was someone he cared for and really tried to help, not like a stereotypical car salesman or treating me as a number."

Felismino’s preventive maintenance background was an easy transition into the Navy Reserve as a Construction Mechanic. Still, his interaction with his recruiter left a lasting impression and desire to one day step into the fast-paced world of connecting people to a career.

"I knew I couldn't just come in as a recruiter because you need to have the experience to know what you are offering someone," said Felismino. "The drive for a ready conversion package kept me focused and performing every day with the Seabees."

Felismino worked nine years attached to Navy Construction Battalion 27, gaining Navy experience and on-the-job training while deploying to Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, and Africa. With this first-hand knowledge of Navy life and duties, he submitted his package to transfer to the active-duty side as a Navy Reserve Canvasser Recruiter.

"It takes time to gain experience and get to where you want to be," said Felismino. "I had a chance to see the world and get training, but my heart was still set on helping others. Recruiting is where everything starts."

Working at Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) New England, Felismino felt the ups and downs, but he used one thing to keep himself motivated.

"Passion," said Felismino. "I know recruiting is stressful. I know it is not easy, but a passion for your job will make you successful. The applicants will see a real person trying to help them, build that trust, and that makes all the difference in the process."

With his Seabee "Can Do" attitude, Felismino has used his passion to reach a rare production achievement by contracting 100 new applicants during his first tour to take on the Centurion's title, which is a milestone few recruiters ever see.

"I am excited to earn the award, but my real reward is knowing 100 new Sailors are happy with their decision to serve and happy with their careers," said Felismino.

His professional aspirations include promotion and climbing the ladder of recruiting leadership.

"My goal is to keep pushing forward, one day become a chief, and eventually becoming a Chief Recruiter in charge of a recruiting district," said Felismino. "That is my main goal to just keep pushing forward to the next 100 and try to hit the top."

NTAG New England covers over 93,500 square miles encompassing Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the Eastern half of New York. Headquartered out of Boston, Massachusetts the command has more than 35 recruiting stations, eight Navy Operation Support Centers, four Military Entrance Processing Stations, and maintains two stations overseas at Kaiserslautern, Germany and Naples, Italy covering the entire territory of Europe, Southwest Asia and the Middle East.

At the end of this year, Navy Recruiting Command will consist of a command headquarters, three Navy Recruiting Regions, 26 NTAGs and 64 Talent Acquisition Onboarding Centers (TAOCs) that will serve more than 1000 recruiting stations around the world. Their mission is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America’s Navy.

Navy Recruiting Command | U.S. Navy | U.S. Navy Gifts | U.S. Department of Defense

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