HARP, OHARP, and SEMINAR: How Sailors Boost Navy Recruiting

The Navy needs recruits, and these programs, HARP, OHARP, and SEMINAR, bring Sailors back to their hometowns to help.

These options put uniformed Sailors in front of people who want straight answers about Navy life. This page lays out how each program works and what to expect.

HARP: Bringing Sailors Back Home

Hometown Area Recruiting Program (HARP) lets enlisted Sailors support a recruiting station for up to 30 days at no cost to the Navy. You return to your home area and speak with students, workers, and community groups while in uniform.

• Who can apply? Enlisted Sailors
• How long? 12 to 30 days
• How it works: You go home on permissive, no-cost Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) orders, or you do HARP while on leave during PCS.
• Timing restrictions: You cannot do HARP during Thanksgiving week, the last two weeks of December, or the first week of January.

If you plan to connect HARP to a PCS move, apply 6 to 9 months ahead. Since the program has no funding, you pay your own travel and related costs. That can include airfare.

OHARP: Officer Recruiting, Face to Face

Officer Hometown Area Recruiting Program (OHARP) works like HARP, but for officers. Officers return home and support recruiting efforts that focus on colleges, universities, and large community events.

• Who can apply? Officers (O-1 to O-6)
• How long? 14 to 179 days
• How it works: You receive permissive, no-cost TAD orders, or you use leave during PCS.
• The goal: Talk with college students and explain officer career paths and programs.

SEMINAR: Boosting Minority Recruitment

Senior Minority Assistance to Recruiting Program (SEMINAR) sends experienced African American, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander officers and senior enlisted Sailors into communities that the Navy wants to reach more effectively. Participants typically range from E-6 to O-6 and serve for 20 days.

• Mission: Increase diversity in Navy recruiting
• What you will do: Speak at schools, attend local events, and build ties with community leaders

What Happened to Bluejacket HARP?

Bluejacket HARP Duty used to be the funded version of HARP. It covered travel and other expenses, which made it easier for junior Sailors to return home and help recruiters.

That funding no longer exists. When the program did operate, participants received a short briefing, then reported to their local recruiting station to support recruiting activities.

You may also be interested in reading about 11 Top Reasons to Become a Naval Officer for career motivation, Navy College Program for education benefits that recruiters highlight, and What Navy Officer Jobs Are In Demand? to see which communities recruiters prioritize.