Retired officers: Good for LORs, but can we use them for interviews?

[WVUalum05]

I have searched this site and have not found a clear cut answer. There is nothing in the OPNAV instruction (enlisted-to-officer) that states that an officer must be active duty for the interview portion of the application.

I have the ability to lineup an interview with a retired 0-7, but would I disqualify myself if I included it in my package? Has anyone here used a retired officer for an interview?

I asked this question on another website and I was told that the OPNAV instruction implies that they must be active duty. Seems like there is some gray area here. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[STLEngineer]

My only interview on the application (I'm not prior enlisted) was a reserves CO. Not sure if it helps at all, though.

 

[Hozer]

I'd make sure he's relatively recently retired and a operational flag. The key to LOR's and interviewer assessment is name recognition.
0-5's are a minimum. 0-6's are good. 0-7's are better. Operational is better.
Good luck.

 

[xmid]

It couldn't hurt could it? It might add a little to your package. I don't think that any LOR (well almost any) is going to make a monumental difference.

 

[MasterBates]

Wow, O-7+ is needed for LOR/Interviews to get in now?

My only LOR from any retired military was an F-8 pilot who retired in the 70's.