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new United States Navy Recruiting Office is taking shape in downtown Kansas City, marking a significant step in the nation's military recruitment efforts. The project showcases collaboration between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Department of Defense, and private industry to provide modern, accessible spaces for recruiters to connect with prospective enlistees.

    Kathy Cherrito, a realty specialist with the Kansas City District's Military Branch, emphasizes the importance of providing safe, clean, and quality locations to attract top candidates. With over two decades of experience supporting military recruiting, Cherrito views her role as a way to contribute to an all-volunteer force and prevent the need for a draft.

    The new office is part of a broader effort by USACE to modernize recruiting operations across the region. Rau Construction Company, based in Kansas City's West Bottoms District, is leading the buildout project, which includes significant structural and aesthetic upgrades to a historic building. Gus Meyer, co-owner of Rau Construction, notes that this project goes beyond a typical tenant improvement, reflecting the professionalism and importance of the Navy's mission.

    The location was chosen for its visibility and foot traffic, with large window wraps advertising Navy career fields. The Mid America Navy Recruiting Command relocated from a larger facility in North Kansas City to take advantage of changing trends in recruiting and the benefits of a downtown location.

    Mark Gellings, a senior realty specialist, sees this project as a template for future interagency collaboration. He emphasizes the importance of balancing cost-efficiency with long-term value, ensuring that federal dollars are used wisely. Meyer notes that working with USACE sets a high bar for quality, coordination, and purpose.

    As the project nears completion, all parties agree on its deeper meaning: providing recruiters with the tools they need to inspire the next generation of service members. The work of the Kansas City District's Real Estate Division remains vital in supporting an all-volunteer force, ensuring that every new service member's journey begins on solid ground.

    For Cherrito, whose career began answering recruiting calls for the U.S. Navy, this project is personal. She has come full circle, helping people find their calling in service through the work she loves.