Recommendations for nomination?

[Xyz]

I have someone in mind for a recommendation who I've known all my life and continued to keep in contact with. The recommendation criteria states that the recommender must be a non-family member, however I have a dilemma here. The man I have in mind, who is a major in USMC, is my mother's step father's brother's son. So I suppose he's my mother's 'step-cousin' of sorts? He is not actually related to us, but does this nullify a possibility of a recommendation from him?

 

[mom3boys]

It will be easier if you follow the directions to the letter. No relatives generally means no relatives, no matter how distant.

 

[Xyz]

Thank you. I assumed as much considering though he is not related, he is still technically a part of our family, I suppose. I'll steer clear, just in case.