Letters of recommendation?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 12:55:11 -0400

So I graduated AIT a month ago and was promoted to PFC upon graduation. I was going to email 2 of my drill sergeants from there and ask them for a letter of recommendation if only for myself. Do those carry any weight in the future for me or is it just nice to have?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jun 4 at 2019 1:00 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 13:00:06 -0400

Private First Class: I would imagine that letters of recommendation carry a lot of weight. They have for me.

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Jun 4 at 2019 1:03 PM

CPT Enrique M. — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 13:03:54 -0400

I guess I am in the school of thought that lor needs a purpose without purpose a general lor tends not to pack a punch to whomever the audience is.

As far your question unless it's being used for a specific purpose, then it's just a nice to have.

That's my personal opinion.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 4 at 2019 1:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 13:33:54 -0400

I see little value in the letters. The best way to build value is how you conduct yourself at the first unit.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2019 1:36 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 13:36:13 -0400

Nearly 35 years in, never saw LOR do much good.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2019 1:48 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 13:48:05 -0400

A letter of rec that states how you did in AIT? Nice to have.
I have reviewed letters of rec for hiring, retention and promotion, and what I'm looking for there is how well the Soldier did in his MOS and as a leader, performance and potential, and a letter of rec has more thought put into it than a copy/paste NCOER.
For AIT, I wouldn't even read the letter of rec, i would just check the 1059 to see if you made honor grad or commandant's list.
If you are planning to volunteer for another unit on Bragg, like 112th or something else, then you'll want to smoke your job for the next year or two and get an outstanding letter of rec from the commander you are working for now.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2019 1:58 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 13:58:14 -0400

LOR would not be very helpful for anything more than a pat on the back. Just do your best yo carry over your performance and enthusiasm to your first unit. Your monthly councilings will be weighed heavily by your CSM and local promotion board. He would likely not even bother looking at an LOR.

Just inquiring about this shows you care about your profession and have your mind in the right place. Sounds like you have a promising future. Good luck!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 4 at 2019 7:42 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 19:42:10 -0400

They would do. Itching for you that I can think of. If you are using them as a reference for civilian hire, maybe. Thank you for your service.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Jun 5 at 2019 9:30 AM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 09:30:07 -0400

Do your drills even remember you at this point?

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Jun 5 at 2019 9:41 AM

SPC Robert Bobo — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 09:41:47 -0400

Kind of like an applicant giving me a letter of recommendation from a college teacher, I see no value at the AIT level

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2019 12:21 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 12:21:22 -0400

Same thing happened to me during AIT. Got a letter from the commander and gave it to my leaders when I arrived to my unit years ago. They read it, said good job, and that was it. They were able to determine what kind of person I am from that but it really doesnt do much.

Response by SGT Darron Brelje made Sep 13 at 2019 1:42 AM

SGT Darron Brelje — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 01:42:14 -0400

It can work for you against you. Military and civilian. It also depends on how long you been in a position and retained knowledge

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 4 at 2021 12:40 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 12:40:22 -0400

I am going to walk back what I said. Those letters might be of value if you ETS. Here is just a thought. When I was garnering letters of recommendation for OCS, I wrote my own letters of recommendation to give to the person who I was trying to get a letter from. This did two things:

- It made it easier for the person who you are seeking a letter from.
- You have relative control over the content of the letters.