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I am about to PCS to Fort Hood and to a Chemical Battalion. I am wondering if anyone has an example/outline for a letter of introduction to the Battalion Commander? My reasoning is that I've already served as a Battalion Staff Officer and a Company Executive Officer and I don't want to show up and get stuck in a closet somewhere because no one knows my work history. Any help/advice on the subject would be greatly appreciated!
PCS
Advice
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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1LT Sanger,
The gentlemen who have answered this are correct. Do the leg work with the BN S1 and the BN XO. I did my leg work with them, then wrote the letter to my BN CDR.
The BN S1 should be the first person you talk with. Make sure they are getting you on the gains roster if you have come under orders. Sometimes you may have the orders and the unit has not received the gains yet. Once you talk with them, they can direct you from there.
On the letter itself one of my instructors, LTC Trammell, said the letter of introduction is a dying art but one your gaining commander will appreciate. I put the following information in mine:
Part 1: Basic info- Name, where you were born, commissioning source, major, military education.
Part 2: Current assignment, date of PCS, expected date of arrival, in-route leave (if necessary)
Part 3- Arrival at location (looking forward to working in your battalion, position [if known])
Part 4- Martial status, children, some local interests (ie. if you skydive on your off time, rock climbing, etc)
Part 5- Contact information, email, phone, current location
Sorry for the length, if you want to email me, I can send you what I sent and a guideline I got from my instructor. Hope it helps.
The gentlemen who have answered this are correct. Do the leg work with the BN S1 and the BN XO. I did my leg work with them, then wrote the letter to my BN CDR.
The BN S1 should be the first person you talk with. Make sure they are getting you on the gains roster if you have come under orders. Sometimes you may have the orders and the unit has not received the gains yet. Once you talk with them, they can direct you from there.
On the letter itself one of my instructors, LTC Trammell, said the letter of introduction is a dying art but one your gaining commander will appreciate. I put the following information in mine:
Part 1: Basic info- Name, where you were born, commissioning source, major, military education.
Part 2: Current assignment, date of PCS, expected date of arrival, in-route leave (if necessary)
Part 3- Arrival at location (looking forward to working in your battalion, position [if known])
Part 4- Martial status, children, some local interests (ie. if you skydive on your off time, rock climbing, etc)
Part 5- Contact information, email, phone, current location
Sorry for the length, if you want to email me, I can send you what I sent and a guideline I got from my instructor. Hope it helps.
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Chase...as you very well know you are your best manager of your career...and you sending a personalized note to the sitting BN CDR WILL speak volumes as to your drive and initiative...if you want the opportunity to lead Soldiers (even if only for 8-10 months) then clearly express that to them....however, remember that as a branch detailed guy your chances to do so will most likely be limited...if your going to the BN to serve as the S2 then still send the note but focus on the attributes you bring to the formation and how your looking forward to joining the team..
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Lt Col (Join to see)
Does the Army not put that type of stuff on your officer performance reports? In the AF as long as you have had I think 180 days of supervision you can have another OPR done. If less than 180 days we can get at least a letter of evaluation completed. Those bullets would go on a future OPR. I would ask if that is possible. You should have all your positions put on some sort of personnel duty sheet. Typically a commander usually will review that information to try to find a good fit for your next duty.
Of course maybe only my service does this.
Of course maybe only my service does this.
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The format I always use is this:
Para 1 - Introduction; where I'm coming in from; when I plan to report.
Para 2 - where I went to school (West Point vs ROTC) and my assignment history (to include any pertinent schools).
Para 3 - job preference and contact information.
I also include a CV. Most Commanders will have S2 pull a copy of your ORB so there is no need to send that.
Para 1 - Introduction; where I'm coming in from; when I plan to report.
Para 2 - where I went to school (West Point vs ROTC) and my assignment history (to include any pertinent schools).
Para 3 - job preference and contact information.
I also include a CV. Most Commanders will have S2 pull a copy of your ORB so there is no need to send that.
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1LT (Join to see)
Sir, may I also see an example of that letter? I am currently at BOLC and would like to send a letter to my BTL commander as well.
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LTC Paul Labrador
1LT (Join to see) - send me an e-mail address. I'll see if i still have a copy. I purged a lot of stuff when i retired.
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