Recommendations.

[CPENgunner]

I know one retired colonel from the Army. I don't know any other military folks. I used to work with a bunch of them but didn't know them on a personal level. My old bosses are going to write me LORs (one a sitting Senator and the other a former Congressman). I used to prep them for debates, hearings, write statements, etc, etc for them so they both know me personally and professionally and can vouch for my work, personality and abilities. I was just afraid that if I didn't have any military LORs, I'd be....as CPENgunner put it....f'd in the ass.

Hopefully that "sitting senator" is not that weird geriatric closet case Sen. Larry Craig who got caught in an airport bathroom trying to solicit favors of a sexual nature from a cop. That will most likely be a ding against you and adversely affect you chances for commissioning.

Seriously though, LOR's that are genuine, not full of bullsh*t and adjectives (which is often the case), and articulate your best qualities are the LORs that are worth reading and impart the best impression of you on those reading them (the Board). The LOR from your high school science teacher that eloquantly conveys who you are, what you stand for, and what you can offer the US Naval Service in the capacity of an officer is worth 1000x's more than a form letter from a high ranking military or gov official. Oh yeah, happy Labor day to all. It is beach and beer time very soon.

 

[new user]

So let me get this straight, you're afraid that some officer sitting on your board who would jizz all over himself to see a letter signed by a golly gee! O-6 (which is apparently the popular consensus, judging by the posts here) might not be impressed by a sitting Senator and former congressman? To quote Sean Connery (close enough) "Boy, you might be mentally retarded."

This is why I'm asking. I was wondering if you needed recommendations from military folks or if my ex-bosses would be ok.

 

[new user]

Hopefully that "sitting senator" is not that weird geriatric closet case Sen. Larry Craig who got caught in an airport bathroom trying to solicit favors of a sexual nature from a cop. That will most likely be a ding against you and adversely affect you chances for commissioning.


Hah, ha. No, it's not from him....thank God!

 

[wink]

The concept of 'whole-person' has come up repeatedly when talking about the selection boards. What the LORs are really for is NOT who you know or where you've been, but to give them an insight into who you are OUTSIDE of the academics and extracurricular activities.
People want military LORs because, in my opinion, they know better what kind of qualities the boards are looking for, the kind of traits that the military wants, and often (especially officers) would know how to evaluate leadership abilities.

This pretty much says it all. Lots of LORs are thoughtless, canned, hollow, and insincere. I always told my applicants to get two to three really good ones form people who know you. Military is good, for the reason stated above, but not required at all. Going over three is a waste of the board's time unless they really rock. More then five is ridicules.