Heartland Grit to Fleet Readiness: How an Iowa Sailor Powers Navy Recruiting Across the Plains
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Navy Talent Acquisition Group
Northern Plains
1 Federal Drive, Suite 2501
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
For Immediate Release
POC: MC1 \(SW/AW\) Fred Gray IV Release No\. 005\-26
612\-916\-3780 | frederick\.m\.gray5\.mil@us\.navy\.mil Date: Sep\. 29, 2026Heartland Grit to Fleet Readiness: How an Iowa Sailor Powers Navy Recruiting Across the Plains
Assigned to Navy Recruiting Command, Construction Electrician 2nd Class Cody S. Streeby brings a personal understanding of the recruiting journey to every conversation. Raised in Eldon, Iowa, and shaped by a long family tradition of military service, he says his favorite part of recruiting is helping others take the first step toward their own goals. His ability to connect through shared interests, from sports to everyday life, helps him build lasting relationships with Future Sailors and their families.
Serving as recruiter-in-charge at Navy Recruiting Station Southridge under Navy Talent Acquisition Group Northern Plains, Streeby works on the front lines at one of the service’s top operational priority: manning the fleet with qualified, mission-ready warfighters. Here Streeby turns individual conversations into command-wide success.
“Recruiting is important to me because it allows me to give back,” Streeby said. “I was in recruits’ shoes at one point. The best part of recruiting is being able to have a positive impact on people’s lives and being the first step in helping them achieve greatness.”
Over the past two and a half years, Streeby’s drive has propelled his station to top regional honors. Under his leadership, NRS Southridge secured three Medium Station of the Month honors, one Medium Station of the Quarter, and Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Medium Station of the Year. Individually, Streeby was twice named Junior Sailor of the Quarter, earned Recruiter of the Quarter honors, FY26 Recruiter-in-Charge of the year, and was selected as Commander, Navy Recruiting Command Junior Recruiter of the Quarter.
Before entering recruiting, Streeby accumulated nine and a half years of active naval service, deploying aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and serving at U.S. Fleet Forces Command. That deckplate experience allows him to give prospective applicants a genuine, firsthand account of naval service.
“The Navy has provided me with the training I need to do my job and the opportunity to execute,” Streeby said. “The best parts of being in the Navy are job security, traveling, and meeting new people. It has allowed me to see the world, make friends from all over the world, and buy my first house.”
His journey into recruiting duty began after a severe vehicle accident during transfer leave placed him on humanitarian assignment. Facing recovery, he chose recruiting to gauge whether his body could handle the physical demands of battalion and fleet life, using the challenge to fuel his professional momentum.
“I come from a long tradition of military family members; from my grandparents and older brother, to my brother-in-law, father, uncles, and aunt,” Streeby said. “I’m a very passionate person, and I want the best for everyone around me. I strive for success and hate losing, but you can’t learn to win until you learn to lose.”
That competitive focus extends directly into the communities he serves. Across the Northern Plains region, Streeby frequently coordinates and participates in local blood drives and volunteers as a judge for high school Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps drill meets.
“Volunteering at blood drives and serving as a JROTC judge helps put a positive image of the U.S. Navy in front of future warfighters,” Streeby said. “One of my strengths is being able to connect with a common interest with almost everyone. It has opened doors I never thought would be open.”
Outside the office, Streeby stays rooted in Midwestern life. He views Kansas City as his second home and spends weekends tracking the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and Kansas City Chiefs alongside his beloved dogs Maxx and Luka. An avid collector of sneakers and hats, he also turns to physical fitness and the outdoors to stay balanced.
“Weightlifting is a way for me to blow off steam,” Streeby said. “I also love playing video games on my computer, being out on the lake, and fishing. A great sunset on the lake is just very peaceful to me.”
Looking toward future service milestones, Streeby plans to advance to petty officer 1st class, visit European ports, and complete a full 20-year career. He even envisions a unique ceremony for his next milestone.
“One day, I would love to reenlist at Wrigley Field or at Arrowhead Stadium,” Streeby said. “My goals are to build my own house, retire from the Navy, and be a good role model for my nieces and nephews.”
For young adults across the region considering their next career chapter, Streeby stands ready to provide guidance, mentorship, and a clear path toward technical training, education benefits, and personal advancement.
Prospective applicants interested in exploring navy opportunities, enlistment incentives, or full-time career tracks can contact Petty Officer Cody Streeby at 651-383-6350, by email at mailto:cody.j.streeby.mil@us.navy.mil, or by visiting https://www.navy.com/ to find their nearest local recruiting office.
NTAG Northern Plains is responsible for the U.S. Navy’s enlisted and officer recruiting, covering 393,000 square miles in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and parts of Illinois, and Wisconsin.
For more information on NTAG Northern Plains, like and follow us on Facebook (@NTAGNorthernPlains), Instagram (@ntagnp) and X (@NTAG_NP).
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