SirDataDetective
Active Member
Hey All,
I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. I'm applying for the upcoming Intel and SWO Boards, with Intel being my first choice. My question concerns Letters of Recommendation.
Within the various stat breakdowns that I've seen on here for Intel, SWO, and Supply, many applicants seem to have a number of letters of recommendation, often time from high-level officers (O-6+). I've seen some individuals state that they have upwards of six/seven LoR, many extremely impressive, and a few different appraisals.
My questions are as follows:
1) Does the mantra of "the more, the better" ring true as it relates to Letters of Recommendation? Or is there a reasonable limit to the quantity of recommendations that one should add to an application package, with 3-4 originating from those who know you closest and/or can most authoritatively speak to your work experience/educational accomplishments being the most effective?
2) This one is more specific and may not have an immediate answer, but many LoRs noted on this forum, particularly those for Intel applications, appear to originate from high-level Officers or other impressively-decorated individuals. Now this may vary by the person, but is it possible that these LoR come from true shared experiences with these individuals through work/school/charities/etc., or are some of these recommendations coming in after a short conversation where one explains their background to said individual and asks for their recommendation based on the recommender's analysis of all that you've done and told them (which sounds a bit like an appraisal).
I ask, because I've seen some amazing LoRs from high-level officers directly in the field which I suspect are hugely beneficial for the application package. *I* don't have individuals like that as recommenders because my work experience isn't directly related to the fields that I am applying to, and I feel a bit inadequate because of it.
With that said, if these types of LoRs are coming from just sitting down and having a conversation, that's an option that, coupled with other more personal LoRs, can be very helpful. The DD370 form seems to imply that recommendations should come from those that have some sort of a relationship with you, but maybe I'm misinterpreting that and putting myself at a disadvantage, so I'm reaching out to the group here for your thoughts.
On a similar note, I'm diligently working with my OR to find an O-6+ Intelligence Officer (this was the rank that I was told I should look for), preferably in the local reserve units close to where I live, who can conduct an appraisal on me. I've also been doing some LinkedIn networking trying to find someone who can help. It's providing difficult. Any further suggestions on how to best approach this would be highly appreciated!
Thank you all for your help. This is a great site!
I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. I'm applying for the upcoming Intel and SWO Boards, with Intel being my first choice. My question concerns Letters of Recommendation.
Within the various stat breakdowns that I've seen on here for Intel, SWO, and Supply, many applicants seem to have a number of letters of recommendation, often time from high-level officers (O-6+). I've seen some individuals state that they have upwards of six/seven LoR, many extremely impressive, and a few different appraisals.
My questions are as follows:
1) Does the mantra of "the more, the better" ring true as it relates to Letters of Recommendation? Or is there a reasonable limit to the quantity of recommendations that one should add to an application package, with 3-4 originating from those who know you closest and/or can most authoritatively speak to your work experience/educational accomplishments being the most effective?
2) This one is more specific and may not have an immediate answer, but many LoRs noted on this forum, particularly those for Intel applications, appear to originate from high-level Officers or other impressively-decorated individuals. Now this may vary by the person, but is it possible that these LoR come from true shared experiences with these individuals through work/school/charities/etc., or are some of these recommendations coming in after a short conversation where one explains their background to said individual and asks for their recommendation based on the recommender's analysis of all that you've done and told them (which sounds a bit like an appraisal).
I ask, because I've seen some amazing LoRs from high-level officers directly in the field which I suspect are hugely beneficial for the application package. *I* don't have individuals like that as recommenders because my work experience isn't directly related to the fields that I am applying to, and I feel a bit inadequate because of it.
With that said, if these types of LoRs are coming from just sitting down and having a conversation, that's an option that, coupled with other more personal LoRs, can be very helpful. The DD370 form seems to imply that recommendations should come from those that have some sort of a relationship with you, but maybe I'm misinterpreting that and putting myself at a disadvantage, so I'm reaching out to the group here for your thoughts.
On a similar note, I'm diligently working with my OR to find an O-6+ Intelligence Officer (this was the rank that I was told I should look for), preferably in the local reserve units close to where I live, who can conduct an appraisal on me. I've also been doing some LinkedIn networking trying to find someone who can help. It's providing difficult. Any further suggestions on how to best approach this would be highly appreciated!
Thank you all for your help. This is a great site!
