Who do you seek to write letters of recommendation for you when separating from the military?

SGT Christopher Camacho — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 15:09:42 -0500

If you were separating from the force and preparing to begin a career in the civilian/private sector, who would you seek or prefer letters of recommendation from?

Would you get a letter from a 1, 2, 3-star general if you could?

Would you prefer: rank? position? professional relationship?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2014 3:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 15:28:09 -0500

When I had ETS'ed from the Army, I had received three different letters of recommendation; one from my Platoon Sergeant (E-6); another one from a Warrant (CW2) Officer that I worked with on a deployment; finally, the third one from my Company Commander (O-3).
There was no particular reason as to why I had received letter of recommendation from an NCO, Warrant and Commissioned Officer, each. It just happened that way.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 14 at 2014 3:29 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 15:29:58 -0500

This is an excellent question. I got letters of recommendation from 2 of my most recent company-level commanders (I was a direct report to them), as well as the director of the organization I did some volunteer work for.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2014 3:49 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 15:49:07 -0500

Most employers want to hear from people who know you well and have insight into your integrity, work ethic & productivity including most particularly former direct supervisors.

I am not certain it makes sense to get a reference from a general of any kind without a clearly identifiable reason for a general to have worked closely with you over long time.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2014 3:50 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 15:50:03 -0500

I have written several letters of recommendation for my
past Soldiers. I would seek a letter of recommendation from any leader
who knows you and has writing skill.

Unless you plan on working within the DoD or the defense industry
the rank of the writer will matter little.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2014 3:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 15:41:06 -0500

This is an excellent question. You should ask for letters from the highest level person you know and who knows you the best. That person does not have to be someone how is a big fan just someone who can vouch for what you have written down and said in your interview. The more intelligent they are on the phone and in writing the better. Ask for as many of these from different people and then use the best 2 or 3 for your references.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2014 7:25 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 19:25:33 -0500

I did not ask for any letters of recommendation when I retired, but I did ask a few former personnel from my chain of command if I could use them as a reference.

There were quite a few personnel on base of varying ranks that told on their own that if I ever needed a reference or letter of recommendation - that they would be happy to provide it for me. That meant a lot to me in itself.

One of my primary references is in fact a retired BG that was my commander at one time earlier in his career. My last commander was upset about how the whole retirement thing played out - he did not want to sign the papers; he did not agree with the bases' decision to retire me out. He came up to me and told me if I ever needed a reference or letter of recommendation he would give me one (He was a good commander so that meant alot).