Would anyone be willing to conduct a virtual interview with me in order to get the remaining two LORs from an O-5 or higher for OCS?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 13:22:46 -0500

Good morning, all. I know this is a longshot, but I'm willing to take this chance. I am currently applying for OCS and collecting letters of recommendation from officers that I have known or worked with in the past. At the moment, I have the minimum requirement of three, but would like to expand to a maximum of six. I currently have a CW4, CW5, CPT, and MAJ. I would like two field grade officers as well. Would anyone be willing to conduct a virtual interview with me in order to get the remaining two.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2024 1:31 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 13:31:10 -0500

Probably already considered, but have you reached out through the chain to see if your BC is available?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2024 10:04 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:04:07 -0500

I don't imagine you'll get anyone to do so outside your unit. Nearly every field grade officer that has mentored me has relayed the important lesson of never attaching my name to someone I didn't know personally/professionally. There are too many variables unaccounted for otherwise, and not only is it a risk, but among senior officers it's considered poor or immature judgement to endorses someone with little, to no relation to them.

I actually remember the most recent time that this lesson was refreshed for me:

I had an NCO facing separation because of criminal charges. I was in the brigade commander's office for the reading, along with the company chain of command. We brought in the NCO and they pled their case, appealing to their good character. They brought in a senior NCO who vouched for them. This senior NCO had been deployed for a while and was just getting back, but they were familiar with this NCO having worked with them in the past. They explained to the brigade commander that even though they did not understand the exact details of the NCO's current situation and why they were facing separation, that they believed in them and supported them because of their character.

Once this senior NCO left the room the brigade commander turned to us and offered their thoughts. They said that the senior NCO's testimony was undermined by their admittance of not really knowing the situation. When it comes to certain types of recommendations, attaching your name to someone is about as sacred as it gets in the Army. It carries enormous weight, and the commander seriously doubted whether the senior NCO understood this or not. The commander was not convincied and it seemed that they disregarded the seriousness of the offense. The commander cautioned us in the room to never jump to endorsements of others, but to ensure those we support earn our trust and that we display a thorough understading of who and what we are endorsing. This is what makes endorsements meaningful, and they believed this is how we make the Army better.

In the end, the NCO was separated and that senior NCO was given increased challenges over the next few years. They worked they crap out of them. They did end up becoming an even better NCO as I continued to work with him.

Response by CW4 Peter McHugh made Jan 19 at 2024 11:20 AM

CW4 Peter McHugh — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 11:20:43 -0500

Have you considered, and are you medically qualified, to seek Warrant Officer flight school?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2024 2:43 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 14:43:56 -0500

Good luck young warrior! Way to think outside the box. Most SSG’s have limited access to LTC’s and above.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2024 6:52 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 06:52:51 -0500

Why would you want to go OCS? I did and pretty much lost everything when I was separated illegally by mr. Carl Bergaman who was supposed to be the Commander of my OCS Company. This took place between the time I signed out from OCS and the time I signed into my OBC. It ruined my life. The Board of "corrections" refused to do their job. Even AFTER the D.C Courts said the US Army violated the APA. Don't. Just Don't. Don't even think about going OCS if you want a real military career. I did after being Prior USAF and now I am paying for it for the rest of my life. Everything I ever worked for in my life down the tubes. Only thing I got out of it was PTSD and sleep apnea. The US Army is not accountable. For anything. They never make mistakes. This happened the same year Tillman lost his life and the US Army lied about that to. Wrote a book about my experiences. Hopefully to keep good young people from making the same mistake I did.