Posted on Sep 5, 2014
CPT Chase Sanger
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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!
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CPT Field Artillery Officer
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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.
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2LT Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Officer
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WHATS YOUR EMAIL? IM A BRAND NEW 2LT PCSING TO FT HOOD ON JUN2018
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COL Resident Student
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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 Aerospace Planner
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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.
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LTC Paul Labrador
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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.
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2LT Transportation Officer
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Hello sir, do you still have a copy of that letter?
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1LT Platoon Leader
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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
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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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1LT Platoon Leader
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Thank you very much Sir. [login to see]
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Examples of a Letter of Introduction?
COL Randall C.
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I agree with CPT John Hermida in that your likely first contact would be with the S1 folks - they are the ones that the Commander is going to be turning to for information anyways. After you know what's available, then you can turn contacting the Commander.

I'm assuming you're going to one of the battalions of the 48th Chem Bde - what exactly where you hoping to do as a 1LT aside from Company XO or be on Battalion Staff in a MTOE Chem Bn? I'm not really sure there is anything else at that level in that organization.
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CPT Chase Sanger
CPT Chase Sanger
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Sir, I was hoping to either get another XO slot or do some PL time in a recon platoon since I haven't had that experience yet.
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COL Randall C.
COL Randall C.
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Platoon leader would be a definite possibility, but you might have 'aged' out of that opportunity if you've already been boarded for Captain (not in your profile, but implied by CPT Hermida). If you haven't and the opportunity presents itself, I would absolutely go for it.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
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Conduct your intel first. Some commanders will react negatively with something like, "WTF, LT, every LT wants to lead, don't you think I know that? I'm gunna put LTs I know in leadership positions. When I know you, if I think you're up to it, you'll get a leadership position". (And now you have just postponed your leadership position.)

Other commanders will like your spunk and tenacity, but without a glowing letter of recommendation from someone he knows, you're still going to wait your turn, which comes after he gets to know you.

And, of course, there is always the chance that it will work.

Thanks for picking up the torch. God bless.
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