Any advice on how to get the best Letter of Recommendation for 153A Warrant Officer track?

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:25:49 -0400

I am very close to completing my WOCS packet and am in need of a letter of rec. I am stationed in Ft. Drum, NY. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2015 8:27 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:27:18 -0400

Your Accessions NCO isn't helping you?!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2015 8:29 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:29:57 -0400

Have you tried asking the Warrant Officers in your unit for help?

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2015 8:31 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:31:47 -0400

There should be plenty of Warrant Officers on Drum that can get you linked up with senior W4 or W5 in the field that you plan on going to WOCS for. My recommendation is to be prepared to meet with the senior Warrant Officer and you will go over your entire packet and be prepared to provide a BIO and a 5 year plan. You need to take this very serious. Being a Warrant Officer regardless of MOS or rank is a major responsibility. The senior Warrant Officer that is writing your LOR is putting their reputation on the line for you. Good luck.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 14 at 2015 8:35 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:35:21 -0400

Contact the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade Senior Career Counselor for assistance.

http://www.drum.army.mil/10md/Pages/retention.aspx

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 14 at 2015 8:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:46:17 -0400

Talk to your 1SG or CO about needing a letter. If you are squared away they will open doors for you. Also, type up an info paper about you so their task of writing a letter is easier.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 14 at 2015 8:46 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:46:19 -0400

Reading the question I have a different answer. You mentioned the best letter and to me there is only one way to get that and that is to impress the SWO you utilize for the interview and review of the packet. The best letter comes from having a squared away packet with minimal to no errors and having not been led to water in getting it right the first time. Having a solid packet is what gets you the best letter. College and top physical performance help in a competitive board process. The best shape of my 28 years was in the application process and candidate school. That hasn't changed.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 10:56 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 22:56:30 -0400

You need to get with the 10th Combat Aviation Brigades CCWO. You should be able to get in touch with him/her through the career counselor linked above. They will be a master aviator and will have mountains of insight on what a good letter is. I had my Battalion SP (standardization pilot) write letter before there were CCWO's and I'm sure his awesome letter helped a lot. Since they do not know you ensure you have you ducks in a row in regards to all required paperwork, resume, supporting documents. Character references from your command team would probably be a good thing to bring as well as contact info for you chain of command including platoon sergeant, PL, 1SG, squad leader, etc.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 8 at 2015 1:41 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 13:41:29 -0400

Ask for an interview with officers to gain a letter. Give them an info sheet so they can apply facts to your letter.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 3:24 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 15:24:40 -0400

To all of those that have provided me with great advice I thank you. My new 1SG was able to get me in contact with a CW3 to help me with my letter. Oddly enough he overheard me speaking with my platoon leader on the subject and interjected. I have a few last things to touch up but my packet will be submitted by the 18 Sep due date for the Nov selection board. I thank you again and will keep you posted as to my results!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 2:56 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:56:04 -0500

I'd like to thank everyone for the sound advice that was given and to update the forum. Not long after getting a new 1SG I actively asking my senior NCOs assistance in finding a CW3 to write my letter of recommendation. My 1SG happened to overhear and interjected. Turns out he knew a CW3 with whom he got me in contact with. Long story short I was recently selected to attend WOCS in the Nov selection board! Thanks again and best of luck to those wishing to join me!