https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/letters-of-recommendation-which-would-benefit-me-more-staying-inside-my-chain-of-command-of-trying-to-reach-out-to-other-higher-ranks <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div> Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:31:01 -0500 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/letters-of-recommendation-which-would-benefit-me-more-staying-inside-my-chain-of-command-of-trying-to-reach-out-to-other-higher-ranks <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div> SGT Private RallyPoint Member Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:31:01 -0500 2016-02-25T11:31:01-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/letters-of-recommendation-which-would-benefit-me-more-staying-inside-my-chain-of-command-of-trying-to-reach-out-to-other-higher-ranks?n=1330625&urlhash=1330625 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What is it you are trying to do? SSG Private RallyPoint Member Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:32:34 -0500 2016-02-25T11:32:34-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/letters-of-recommendation-which-would-benefit-me-more-staying-inside-my-chain-of-command-of-trying-to-reach-out-to-other-higher-ranks?n=1330628&urlhash=1330628 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Depends on what you need the letter of recommendation for. But, honestly, if you can get them from both your chain AND outside, then that just throws more weight in your favor. MSG Private RallyPoint Member Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:33:04 -0500 2016-02-25T11:33:04-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/letters-of-recommendation-which-would-benefit-me-more-staying-inside-my-chain-of-command-of-trying-to-reach-out-to-other-higher-ranks?n=1330701&urlhash=1330701 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>A few thoughts on letters of recommendation.<br />- Short answer: METT-TC. It depends on a few different variables.<br />- Audience. Who is the letter of recommendation for? Academic, post military employment, in military job? If for academic then higher ranks generally have higher degrees that carry more credibility with the audience of the LoR. If post military employment then the civilian world is sometimes more impressed with higher rank. If in military job then the military knows that your senior rater is the person most likely to know your potential best.<br />- Familiarity. How well does your chain of command and/or higher ranks know you? The better they know you then the better LoR they can write on your behalf.<br />- Purpose. Is the purpose of the LoR specific or general? If specific then may be better to stay inside your CoC. If general then could be either or.<br />- Original or ghost write. Do you expect the person to write the LoR themselves or will you ghost write some talking points for them that they can adjust? For example, if you are enlisted and want to become a warrant officer then the warrant officer board is looking for specific comments in specific areas. I see it as the requestor's job to do the research on what is required, provide me with documentation showing you meet the requirements, then provide me with an outline that I can then adapt and put into my own words or style as the writer of the LoR. COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:50:24 -0500 2016-02-25T11:50:24-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/letters-of-recommendation-which-would-benefit-me-more-staying-inside-my-chain-of-command-of-trying-to-reach-out-to-other-higher-ranks?n=1330721&urlhash=1330721 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I would not go around your chain of command if you intend on trying to get a recommendation from someone higher in your chain, or you may not get your immediate supervisor to give you one. This will piss someone off along the way.<br /><br />"Why did Private Sword call General Important to get a recommendation without contacting me first... Well, that's not gonna fly."<br /><br />But if you know someone completely outside of your chain of command? That wouldn't be a problem.<br /><br />Don't jump, or someone is going to block you. CSM David Heidke Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:56:20 -0500 2016-02-25T11:56:20-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/letters-of-recommendation-which-would-benefit-me-more-staying-inside-my-chain-of-command-of-trying-to-reach-out-to-other-higher-ranks?n=1330746&urlhash=1330746 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm with SSG Livingston on this one. Both would be the best way to go. One from your chain of command would be great. There tge people you work with and they know how you preform on a daily basis. SSG Leo Bell Thu, 25 Feb 2016 12:02:11 -0500 2016-02-25T12:02:11-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/letters-of-recommendation-which-would-benefit-me-more-staying-inside-my-chain-of-command-of-trying-to-reach-out-to-other-higher-ranks?n=1330916&urlhash=1330916 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Depending on what the recommendation is for will vary by answer. I would say anyone that work with on a day-to-day basis will be the most authentic one you can get. SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member Thu, 25 Feb 2016 12:45:15 -0500 2016-02-25T12:45:15-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/letters-of-recommendation-which-would-benefit-me-more-staying-inside-my-chain-of-command-of-trying-to-reach-out-to-other-higher-ranks?n=1332547&urlhash=1332547 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The best letters come from those who have personally seen the impact that your efforts have had on your organization. Level of rank for a letter of recommendation is not as important as the content of the letter SFC Private RallyPoint Member Thu, 25 Feb 2016 21:22:36 -0500 2016-02-25T21:22:36-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/letters-of-recommendation-which-would-benefit-me-more-staying-inside-my-chain-of-command-of-trying-to-reach-out-to-other-higher-ranks?n=1332781&urlhash=1332781 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think you should get a letter from your commander (or higher if you have a good working relationship with that officer), a senior NCO, and a wild card outside your chain that you have had a genuine relationship with either personal or professional. Generally speaking, the higher the better; however, the reader can easily tell if someone truly knows you or if they are just some high brass that you targeted to get a LOR from. Keep it genuine. <br /><br />Also, in my opinion, I think you shouldn't worry about the LOR just yet. Build your reputation and relationships in your current field. The more time and hard work you put in will make it much easier for you to find someone to write a LOR for you and will make it easier for them to write a quality letter. <br /><br />How soon can you put an OCS packet in? CPT Private RallyPoint Member Thu, 25 Feb 2016 22:59:28 -0500 2016-02-25T22:59:28-05:00 2016-02-25T11:31:01-05:00