Recommendation Etiquette

[schwarti]

I know, it's been asked before, but I couldn't find anything specific enough.

I'll give the short version - I'm a park ranger in Boston, and today is the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. I was up there for the ceremony, and one of the key speakers was a Vice Admiral (aviator, actually). I managed to get someone to introduce us, and we chatted for a minute. He gave me his card and said that if there's anything he could do to help my application, I should give him a call and he'd see what he could do for me.

Now, I don't have any other chances for an officer recommendation, let alone a flag o, so I'm definitely excited. My question is - what the heck do I say? Obviously, I'd love a recommendation, but I'd still just like the chance to talk to him. Email? Call? Offer to buy him a beer? I like to think of myself as a pretty etiquette-savvy guy, but this is sort of outside my realm of experience. Any advice would be much appreciated, and sorry for the dumb question... I'd just rather not screw up this opportunity.

 

[BigIron]

I wouldn't expect or ask for a recommendation out of this Admiral. He doesn't know you and a few minutes of conversation does not make a good basis for this.

You should write or email this guy and ask let him know you enjoyed meeting him and that you are actually in the process of applying for a commission. Then you can ask him if he has any words of wisdom or advice. His advice might be more valuable to you than his recommendation at this point. He can possibly point you in a direction or to a staff member of his that can possibly assist you.

My thoughts.

I know, it's been asked before, but I couldn't find anything specific enough.

I'll give the short version - I'm a park ranger in Boston, and today is the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. I was up there for the ceremony, and one of the key speakers was a Vice Admiral (aviator, actually). I managed to get someone to introduce us, and we chatted for a minute. He gave me his card and said that if there's anything he could do to help my application, I should give him a call and he'd see what he could do for me.

Now, I don't have any other chances for an officer recommendation, let alone a flag o, so I'm definitely excited. My question is - what the heck do I say? Obviously, I'd love a recommendation, but I'd still just like the chance to talk to him. Email? Call? Offer to buy him a beer? I like to think of myself as a pretty etiquette-savvy guy, but this is sort of outside my realm of experience. Any advice would be much appreciated, and sorry for the dumb question... I'd just rather not screw up this opportunity.

 

[schwarti]

Thanks, BigIron. Yeah, I wasn't entirely clear - he asked me to call him so that I could actually speak with him. Obviously, a three-second introduction wouldn't be enough. And like I said before, regardless of what happens, I'll consider it an extremely valuable experience.

 

[BurtonF22]

If it were me, I would give him a call and ask him if he would provide me with an interview. This would give him the opportunity to know you, and will either result in a professional interview for your packet or a LOR. Additionally, if he really likes you, he might even make a couple calls on your behalf.

If he told you to call him if you need anything, then I would certainly take him up on it... An interview would be great for you!!

 

[HAL Pilot]

If it were me, I would give him a call and ask him if he would provide me with an interview. This would give him the opportunity to know you, and will either result in a professional interview for your packet or a LOR. Additionally, if he really likes you, he might even make a couple calls on your behalf.

If he told you to call him if you need anything, then I would certainly take him up on it... An interview would be great for you!!

Concur. When I was a frocked LT I was TAD (for a week) to VADM Zalapator when he was the CAG on Carl Vinson. I was his VP liaison in the IO while we were going after a Ruskie sub. I talked to him maybe 5 times for 5 minutes each time. When I left, he gave me "if I can ever...." speech.

Flash forward 10 years latter and he is Chief of Naval Personal. I needed a favor and I called his aide. He put me through to Zap and Zap took care of the problem I'd been having for months in 5 minutes.

Sometimes these Admirals really mean it when they say to call them.

Worst case he does nothing and you've lost nothing.

 

[jbento4]

Follow up on this for sure. Write him a letter thanking him for the advice and call a week or so later. You've obviously made a positive impression on him vis-a-vis your introduction, so keep your name on his mind with a hand-written letter (on high-quality stationery), which will further impress him and lay the groundwork for the call. When you call, ask if he got your letter, thank him again, and ASK ABOUT HIM! You are curious, or should be, about how HE was so successful and about HIS already succesful career. Everyone, even those people who aren't conceited or self-centered, like to talk about themselves at least a little. They also like to know people recognize the importance of their accomplishments, so Google the guy, use Wikipedia, whatever it takes to learn about him and from where he hails, get him talking about himself, and he'll think you're one swell sailor. And he'll do an interview, and you'll get into OCS.

Good luck; keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Sly1978]

I vote we start a new thread: "How to Kiss A$$ for Fun and Profit"

Seriously, guys, has the pipeline gotten so tight that we're down to stalking anyone with stars on their shoulders to try and get in? I think Rand had the best advice. Try and get an appointment to give him a better feel for you, then let him decide how much and in what way he wants to help you. Don't worry about squeezing a LOR from him, though. Read the other threads on LORs. A lot of people (myself included) have gotten in without a single letter from anyone who's name you would drop at a cocktail party.

 

[schwarti]

Thanks, all. Like I said above, I'd just be glad to get some advice from him - an LOR would be awesome, but I'm not going to be that guy who calls up and is expecting one. I just want to make a good impression, either way. Thanks again for the advice.