Questions on LORs

[Xx_Lawdog_xX]

Hey all, I'm interested in going to OCS and doing all the research I can in the meantime. I am not in contact with a recruiter at the moment (my previous one transferred to a new area) and I am actively trying to get a hold of the nearest one (4 hours away and doesn't seem to like to answer the phone). That being said, I am having trouble understanding the LOR process.

I always believed an LOR was supposed to be from someone who knew you personally and could vouch for your work ethic, attitude, etc. From what I've gathered on these forums it seems getting a simple interview with a high ranking officer is enough. Do these truly have any merit with the board? I would imagine them to see right through someone who knew the individual personally versus one who sat through a question and answer session and received a recommendation.

Also, I read in a Supply forum that the board tended to favor an individual who had received LORs from higher level Supply officers over others. Is this true as well? If I were interested in Supply would I need to track down someone high ranking in or around a related field for an LOR to be competitive?

I'm sorry if these are answered elsewhere I just haven't been able to find them no matter how much I search. I imagine my future recruiter will be able to answer a lot but I'm just trying to be as proactive as possible in the meantime. Lastly, I have a few LORs I am fairly certain I can receive and I was wondering if you think they'd be strong ones.

- E-7 Commandant of Airman Leadership School (a 5 week course in the Air Force that prepares members to be leaders. I was nominated for the leadership award but received the higher award of Distinguished Graduate instead)
-GS-13/retired E-8 Fire Chief (I'm a firefighter currently in the Air Force)
-O-6 Squadron Commander
-O-4 Signal Officer

Those are just four off the top of my head. I'm sure I could gather more as needed. If anyone can shed some light on this whole process for me I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

 

[jmeff]

I always believed an LOR was supposed to be from someone who knew you personally and could vouch for your work ethic, attitude, etc. From what I've gathered on these forums it seems getting a simple interview with a high ranking officer is enough. Do these truly have any merit with the board? I would imagine them to see right through someone who knew the individual personally versus one who sat through a question and answer session and received a recommendation.

From the above quote, you seem to be confused about the difference between a Letter of Recommendation and an Interview Appraisal. If that's not the case then I apologize. Just in case...

- A Letter of Recommendation is a letter (preferably from someone who knows you well and for whom you worked previously) that discusses your qualifications and your work ethic.
- An Interview Appraisal is an interview with a Navy officer (using a specific form) in which said officer grades you based on things like military bearing, professionalism, knowledge, leadership ability, etc.

From what I have gathered, a lot of recruiters do not make civilian applicants obtain interviews but they will still hold a lot of weight with the board. I'm not sure if Letters of Recommendation are required for civilian applicants but they are not required for active duty applicants. On the other hand, interviews are required for active duty applicants but don't seem to be for civilians.

I hope that explanation helped and I hope I answered your main question.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

From the above quote, you seem to be confused about the difference between a Letter of Recommendation and an Interview Appraisal. If that's not the case then I apologize. Just in case...

- A Letter of Recommendation is a letter (preferably from someone who knows you well and for whom you worked previously) that discusses your qualifications and your work ethic.
- An Interview Appraisal is an interview with a Navy officer (using a specific form) in which said officer grades you based on things like military bearing, professionalism, knowledge, leadership ability, etc.

From what I have gathered, a lot of recruiters do not make civilian applicants obtain interviews but they will still hold a lot of weight with the board. I'm not sure if Letters of Recommendation are required for civilian applicants but they are not required for active duty applicants. On the other hand, interviews are required for active duty applicants but don't seem to be for civilians.

I hope that explanation helped and I hope I answered your main question.

I think the OP is AD in another service, so in his case appraisals might be worth something.

Except for a few designators (IDC, Supply) officer appraisals don't hold much weight at all, they want an evaluation from someone that has "seen you in action", even with IDC and Supply good interviews won't trump substandard performance in school, as a matter of fact not one of my applicants that had an optional officer appraisal was ever picked up, few at my NRD were, the few that I did see picked up that had an officer appraisal would probably have been picked up anyway as they had excellent applications.

To the OP what are your stats, I hate to say it but sometimes OR don't return calls on people they believe won't be selected.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

The OR might also be on leave if you haven't heard from him all week. Either way, it might be worth a shot calling the NRD Headquarters if you don't hear from anyone soon.

 

[Xx_Lawdog_xX]

I think the OP is AD in another service, so in his case appraisals might be worth something.

Except for a few designators (IDC, Supply) officer appraisals don't hold much weight at all, they want an evaluation from someone that has "seen you in action", even with IDC and Supply good interviews won't trump substandard performance in school, as a matter of fact not one of my applicants that had an optional officer appraisal was ever picked up, few at my NRD were, the few that I did see picked up that had an officer appraisal would probably have been picked up anyway as they had excellent applications.

To the OP what are your stats, I hate to say it but sometimes OR don't return calls on people they believe won't be selected.

The office I was calling had a recording but no answering machine so I wasn't able to provide him with any information. I'm not sure what you mean by stats but I'll post what I can.

Active duty enlisted 6+ years
E-4
G.P.A. 3.36 (Due to my first year of college prior to joining the military. Since I've been in I've maintained a 3.7+ G.P.A.)
Senior at Penn State majoring in Internal Politics with focus in International Relations
52 on OAR (only portion of ASTBE I took)
Excellent physical shape scoring above 90% on PT test
I am a firefighter and crew chief of a vehicle meaning I am in charge of it. I supervise others. I have had a lot of community voluntarism, etc.

Hopefully that about covers it.

Also, thank you everyone else for all of your helpful replies. I did have the LORs and IAs mixed up.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

The office I was calling had a recording but no answering machine so I wasn't able to provide him with any information. I'm not sure what you mean by stats but I'll post what I can.

Active duty enlisted 6+ years
E-4
G.P.A. 3.36 (Due to my first year of college prior to joining the military. Since I've been in I've maintained a 3.7+ G.P.A.)
Senior at Penn State majoring in Internal Politics with focus in International Relations
52 on OAR (only portion of ASTBE I took)
Excellent physical shape scoring above 90% on PT test
I am a firefighter and crew chief of a vehicle meaning I am in charge of it. I supervise others. I have had a lot of community voluntarism, etc.

Hopefully that about covers it.

Also, thank you everyone else for all of your helpful replies. I did have the LORs and IAs mixed up.

Do you want to go aviation? If you can do good on the the full ASTB that would probably be your best shot or going SWO given your stats.

 

[Xx_Lawdog_xX]

Do you want to go aviation? If you can do good on the the full ASTB that would probably be your best shot or going SWO given your stats.

I would love to go SWO and that would be my first choice. Aviation is definitely an option and I was interested in being an NFO if I went that route (and took the remaining portion of the ASTBE). However, I also do not know all that is available to me. I tried searching for jobs but I keep getting redirected to enlisted ones.