Letter of Recommendation from a Vice Admiral

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Born-To-Fly_024

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Hi all,

My uncle knows a Vice Admiral who has agreed to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf; however he wants to meet me before he does so. My parents have agreed to fly me down from Maine to meet with him in Baltimore. I know this wont be an automatic guarantee of an appointment, but do you think its worth it that my parents are spending money to have the VADM write me a letter?

I've also already had a Rear Admiral write me a letter. Hopefully these letters will help a bit!?

Am I doing the write thing, or am I over doing it?
 
Born-To-Fly_024 said:
Hi all,

My uncle knows a Vice Admiral who has agreed to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf; however he wants to meet me before he does so.
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Letters of Recommendation should come from people who know you.

I can't see how a letter from someone you just met could serve any purpose other than blatantly trying to influence the Admissions board with "who you know."

What can this Vice Admiral possibly write about you in his letter to the board that would help you, other than signing his full name and rank at the bottom of the page?
 
I asked my biology and english teacher to write my letters, as well as my math teacher. And then I got a LOA.
What I've heard, it doesnt matter who writes it, it matters why they are, why they think you're the best thing since sliced bread.
 
The admissions office sees letters of recommendation from high ranking officers / officials quite frequently. While it doesn't hurt your chances, don't expect it to be a "deal sealer". The required letters from your HS profs carry far greater weight and are part of the total package along with your candidate statement / grades / eca's / sports / leadership activities / B&G interview. Good luck!
 
Since you asked for advice, I would urge you to consider this:

Do you feel comfortable submitting a letter of recommendation from someone who does not know you and needs to meet you first?

No judging here - I'm just throwing it out there for consideration - only you can answer that question.

Best of luck to you in the admissions process and I hope you are successful in getting your appointment to USNA!
 
rotorhd said:
The admissions office sees letters of recommendation from high ranking officers / officials quite frequently. While it doesn't hurt your chances, don't expect it to be a "deal sealer". The required letters from your HS profs carry far greater weight and are part of the total package along with your candidate statement / grades / eca's / sports / leadership activities / B&G interview. Good luck!
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During Summer Seminar 2010 (First Session), the admissions officer specifically mentioned this very topic. The letter will be read in about 10 seconds and most likely, not even considered for exact reasons mentioned. In fact to quote the admissions officer: "Your teachers, coaches, and people who KNOW YOU carry more weight than an admiral your dad worked with."
 
I'm not too sure about the "right" answer, and I appreciate the counsel inkling at taking the "high road." But do not underestimate the power of polity and association. Explore the relationship some of the admiral. There are admirals ...and then there are ADMIRALS.

Be assured that any number of appointments are functions of this type of influence, and many are quick to imply that it's somehow underhanded or inappropriate. And It's nice nurturing the notion that appointments are pure and meritorious, exclusive of "who knows who" and who might be going to bat for whom. Remember, the system is driven by "needs of the Navy" and one of those needs, especially among the heights of flag officers, is to establish and engage in relationships with others of equal stature. (Ever wonder about the nature of country clubs? Make that O Clubs, too.) Thus, you may want to explore this further as you consider this. Be certain my counsel is neither to pursue nor ignore this. Sen. McCain can vouch for the power of powerful pals in places of import.

You'll need to determine your path, and in any case, I'd not ignore this avenue. Do some research though before deciding how you'll go.
 
A Lt Gen wrote me a letter of recommendation. I knew him through his brother, and but we also had a lot of communication with emails, etc. Just remember that the person who writes the letter should have some knowledge of what makes you so special!
 
When the topic of letters of recommendation came up my dad said he knew an Army 4-star who would be willing to write me one. I declined the notion and when the time came I asked my JROTC instructor a retired Marine Lt Col. I did this because he has known me for several years and a letter from him would actually shed insight into to the traits the academy is looking for as opposed to a person who does not even know me but is a high-ranking officer.
 
I just looked at USNA's CIS: mine is completed, however, I saw no place to submit a letter of rec, other than the English and Math. Any input? If we're not supposed to send in a letter, why have most people done them?
I know the AFA application asks for 3 "bonus" letters of rec, but I havent seen it on CIS or WP's portal.
 
CandidateElias15 said:
I just looked at USNA's CIS: mine is completed, however, I saw no place to submit a letter of rec, other than the English and Math. Any input? If we're not supposed to send in a letter, why have most people done them?
I know the AFA application asks for 3 "bonus" letters of rec, but I havent seen it on CIS or WP's portal.
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You can send additional letters of recommendation to your Regional Director by emailing it to your region email address. For instance region_@usna.edu. However, the admissions board does not like too many letters, because it will only take longer to read additional letters. Do not send more letters just because it looks nice, send maybe an additional letter that adds a new perspective to your application. Maybe something that the board does not know about you. For me, I had the opportunity to mentor at the US Naval Observatory this past summer. My mentor who lives 5 minutes away from the academy, wrote me a letter because it provided a new perspective to my application. And it helped a lot!
 
Ok. Do you think I should still send one in at this point? I received an LOA, contingent on a nomination, and my MOC interviews are now done (last one was today).
Im only saying this because I'd hate to bug another teacher for a letter..
 
It never hurts to do everything you possibly can do, if you want it bad enough. So, I say, YES mail it in!! Good luck!:thumb:
 
I would say NO!!! you already have an LOA and are jsut waiting on Noms. There is no reason since you will recieve your appointment with a nomination. All that could possibly do is give more unneccesary paper work to the CGO and bother a teacher who's time could be better spent on another student who actually needs a letter!!
 
cabarle said:
During Summer Seminar 2010 (First Session), the admissions officer specifically mentioned this very topic. The letter will be read in about 10 seconds and most likely, not even considered for exact reasons mentioned. In fact to quote the admissions officer: "Your teachers, coaches, and people who KNOW YOU carry more weight than an admiral your dad worked with."
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cabarle has it right on this one. A definite 'no'. The Academy's position is only close personal knowledge of attriubtes which the normal application process does not adequately address. The only two times I have personally recommended it is for the minister and coaches of a home schooler with a very unique background and for the employer of an individual forced to work to help support his family. Actually, Admissions officials will state that a 'fluff' recommendation may actually be seen as a negative by the board and bear negative consequences.
 
Whistle Pig said:
Sen. McCain can vouch for the power of powerful pals in places of import.
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Make that Captain John McCain, USN (Ret), POW John McCain, USN(Ret); not "Sen. McCain".

The Navy takes care of it's own. All sons and daughters of active duty deceased, totally disabled, and POW veterans are granted an appointment if they are minimally qualified. End of discussion. No Admiral influence, no political influence, no other necessities. It's the way it has always been. With all that I have seen, including junior enlisted, every effort possible is granted to ensure they succeed, including, if necessary, a year at NAPS.

Don't you agree that it is a small perk for those who have given so much to our country?
 
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Mongo said:
Make that Captain John McCain, USN (Ret), POW John McCain, USN(Ret); not "Sen. McCain".

The Navy takes care of it's own. All sons and daughters of active duty deceased, totally disabled, and POW veterans are granted an appointment if they are minimally qualified. End of discussion. No Admiral influence, no political influence, no other necessities. It's the way it has always been.
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Sons/daughters of former POWs have always been granted automatic appointments if minimally qualified? :confused:

I never knew that.

Can you provide a link to that part of the US Code or USNA Admissions?
 
Luigi59 said:
Sons/daughters of former POWs have always been granted automatic appointments if minimally qualified? :confused:

I never knew that.

Can you provide a link to that part of the US Code or USNA Admissions?
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You are correct. It is only current POWs/MIAs.

My information was based on what I considered a reliable source that it was due to the POW status. Perhaps it was indirect and a resultant disability issue. Possibly in the realm of TMI for an active legislator.
 
Mongo said:
Actually, Admissions officials will state that a 'fluff' recommendation may actually be seen as a negative by the board and bear negative consequences.
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This is not just true of admissions.... in the local academy day briefings the MOC staffers made this exact point. Your letters need to be from someone who knows you directly, and from who the MOC specifies.

And if it's from a friend of the MOC, admiral/general, whatever, it needs to be someone who knows you well or it can work against you. IE: viewed as trying to use political influence rather than follow their merit based process.

Same for extra letters. If they ask for three, only send three. Any beyond that will not be read and start working against you.

The MOC's in our area are extremely specific about this, with some specifying that the letters must be from 1) your principal, 2) a teacher who taught you, and 3) someone who has observed & can speak to your leadership in EC's, etc.
 
btw, to further "hilight" the reality of politics, it's well understood that Sen. McCain's son Jack, was not "minimally qualified" when he applied the first time. After a year at NAPS, from which the required GPA for USNA appointment had always been 2.0, was mysteriously changed Jack's graduating year, to 1.8.
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Not to belabor this further - I am shocked that the moderators would allow a midshipman or Naval officers grades to be discussed on this forum... I don't know what gives you privilege to discuss the private information of a Naval Officer.

John McCain, USN (Ret) is a 100% disabled Veteran. There is a specific nomination category for children of 100% disabled/deceased Veterans. Hence, Jack was most assuredly admitted without political intervention at all as the child of a 100% disabled/deceased Veteran.
Stop making this about "politics" or about a US Senator. It is not. It is within the US Code as written and as intended.


Luigi - you are correct there is no category for POW's. I would be willing to bet, however, it would not be too difficult for a POW to receive 100% disability from the military.
 
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