Letters of Recommendation

[msm]

Hi,

I am currently a second-year college student and I am interested in joining the Navy. The recruiter gave me some forms to fill out, including a few letters of recommendation. He said I should give it to people I know in the military to fill out, but I don't know anyone. I don't really have a job right now, I am a full time student, so I can't really give it to an employer either.

Who do you think I should give them to?

Thanks

 

[batman527]

Professors would be a good choice, maybe even the dean of the college you're in, if you can get it, former employers, high school principles, clergy, politicians, anyone that you would have worked with in an official capacity, or any office holder in an organization (i.e. principles, politicians, the like). Hope that's helpful. Friends and family probably aren't the best ideas because 1) those are people who are obviously going to have a biased view of you; and 2) if they don't and they torpedo you with poor recommendations, you'll really be up creek without a paddle. Just a thought anyway.

 

[mkoch]

I didn't know anyone in the military when I applied, either (not counting a few ROTC middies and my recruiters). The form says get one from each employer in the last 3 years, and fill in the difference with anyone you want up to 3 letters, more if you really want. Generally, the thing that you want to convey is leadership ability, work ethic, and character (i.e. morals, etc). I went with employers/supervisors for all but one of my letters, which was a clergyman who had known me since I was less than a year old. Don't stress too much over LOR's, they are important, but they aren't the one thing that makes your package good. Think of them along the same lines as references you'd list on a resume.

 

[staff]

With regards to what Batman said above, I have heard that getting people who you have known a really long time and can write a solid letter for you is the best thing to do compared to getting a letter from some Congressman who has no idea who you really are??? Any thoughts?

 

[Tom]

My recruiter told me that LOR's were minimal for application. I believe the biggest factors are GPA, ASTB, extracurriculars and degree.

As for getting a letter from someone you know, sure it may help. This might not help if the person writing it is your neighbor. The most benifical would be someone of authority like the above mentioned professor or boss. Now, if you are picking between someone with a lot of authority who does not know you or someone with none who really knows you, it's a toss up. Personally I would go with the Congressman because they are someone important.

 

[Kycntryboy]

I did my highschool teachers (ones that taught calc, along with my principle and athletic director. People that could speak of my work ethic. Doesn't have to be some admiral or anything. Just give them a sheet with your accomplishments on a piece of paper and you'll be fine. They are important because it's the only time really when the board reads about your character.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

I did my highschool teachers

Was this before or after they wrote you a recommendation?

 

[RockyMtnNFO]

Do not worry about the big name unless he has known you for a long time; much more important to get a recommendation from a teacher or extended family member that can really speak to your character.

 

[Wingnut]

One thing my recruiter told me is that a letter from your congressman that reads like "I'm writing to recommend _____ _ ______ for _____. I'm sure _____ _ ______ is a fine citizen and would be excellent for whatever he's applying for. ..." (He didn't say that exactly, but he did say to be sure it wasn't a form letter) In my case, I'd met my congressman several times and my sister had helped in his office, so I had an in there. I also tried one of my senators, but his office wasn't interested in helping me and I hadn't been around him much. Anyway, I would agree that you need to consider people you know and who can speak for your character first. I would have loved to have a letter from a former F-14 pilot who was convinced that I would be the best thing for the Navy since Admiral Nimitz, but I didn't know anyone like that. I'm sure they can usually tell if you're really reaching with your references; they've seen enough to know when congressman X is the type who lets his office turn out as many form letters as they feel like doing. That being said, I think it's probably not a bad thing if you throw in a letter or two from people like a congressman who doesn't necessarily know you, as long it's not just a from letter and as long as you have three or more from people who know you well. If it's one of the three required and it looks cookie-cutter, then it doesn't look so good, but if it's the forth or fifth (or beyond), then it could be taken as extra effort on your part even if it isn't that strong a letter.
Basically, as has been said several times here, make sure you get letters from people who know you (and respect you; another consideration about getting letters from people you're not close to is that it's harder to tell what they're going to say). Once you have at least three letters from such people, I think then it's ok to think about picking up a name or two.

 

[RachelGuy]

Question about LORs....so far I haven't seen a particular form to have them fill out, so just a general LOR is okay and acceptable?

 

[wink]

Question about LORs....so far I haven't seen a particular form to have them fill out, so just a general LOR is okay and acceptable?

Some forms are provided with your app as well as the employment references. You can suppliment these with an ordinary letter from anyone.

LORs are not a big deal unless you can get really good ones to put you over the top. Consider them a tie breaker. You and Joe Sophomore have nearly identical apps. Same GPA, same major, nearly the same ASTB, etc. But his LORs are from his brother in law the town dog catcher and his college academic advisor that knows nothing personal about him. If you roll in with solid LORs from people in leadership roles or authority figures that know you well and speak highly of you, it will cinch the deal.

Never play a congressional card unless the guy really knows you well and writes a personal letter. The board will give extra attention to everything from a congressman. If after reading it carefully they find the guy doesn't know you well, they will be a bit ticked off you made them invest the extra effort for nothing.

 

[RachelGuy]

Thanks so much!