Letters of Recommendation

CrazyJ628

CrazyJ628

Well-Known Member
For all of you that have gotten AF OTS or ANG slots I have a question. What types of people did you get to write your letters of recommendation? I don't really know a lot of former military people other than one former AF captain and a friend that was in the Army. I was thinking of asking them and my CFI to write letters. Who did you get?
 
I had three letters of recommendation:


  • Dean of Student Life from my university (I worked as an RA)
  • Most recent CFI (flew about 20 hours with him)
  • A pilot who flies for my airline (I work in crew scheduling)
The pilot was an Academy graduate, 0-5, T-38 instructor, so that kind of helped - considering his background - to say, "As a former IP, I know Justin will succeed at UPT." That was one very small part of the overall package. Most people going the ANG/AFRES route might not have more than 1 letter from a military veteran, unless they're already in the unit. In that case, the fact that they're in the unit says more than the fact that they have 3 military recommendations.

Mainly, the hiring boards want to see what your level of character, judgment, and commitment are, not how many SMSgt's, 0-5s or 0-6s you or your parents know.

Bottom line: Concern yourself more with your own qualifications and make sure that each letter conveys just how well-qualified you are for the job.
 
The most valuable LOR comes from an officer in the unit you're applying to, followed by other USAF officers (particularly high-ranking ones). Barring that, it really helps if the individual(s) have flown with you.
 
I submitted 5 LORs to my recruiter with my package.

1) University Professor I had a lot of classes with.
2) Former supervisor at aeronautical company I worked for and former AF enlisted (20+ yrs of service).
3) CFI I did my PPL with and current ANG O-2, C-130 Nav.
4) CFI I did my instrument with, USAFA grad, O-3, CE in AF.
5) Current co-worker at aeronautical company and former AF enlisted (15+ yrs of service).

All of these people knew me well and though they might not be O-8s or anything it didn't stop me from getting selected (OTS). Don't worry if your letter writers aren't impressive or have 30 yrs of prior service, just make sure they know you well and have something constructive to say about who you are and why you should be selected.

Also make sure you letter writers use spellchecker.
 
1.) family friend of 15 years to speak of character, persistance, dedication, etc
2.) former rotc commander. 0-5. 6000 hr command pilot, former IP. Said he'd trust me on his wing any time.

A guy on the board was acquainted with said 0-5. Called him up the next day to verify the reference.
 
I wouldn't sweat the LORs too much. That said:


  1. Professor/Thesis Adviser/Army O-6 retired
  2. Professor/Navy O-6/P-3 pilot I flew with
  3. Professor/Overall badass/Former Secretary of the Air Force
During the interview, my unit asked about my classes and education...I'm speculating here, but I think they wanted to know what the heck I was studying at the University of Texas with so many military folks.

My unit (419th FW, 466th FS) did NOT call any of my LOR writers. They DID call the unit near my hometown (301st FW, 457th FS) to see what kind of dude I was "off the record." I know they spoke to the wing and squadron commanders of the 301st FW and 457th FS, respectively, because those guys put me in touch with my unit in the first place.
 
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