Letters of Recommendation/ AFJROTC Nomination

FutCandMom

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My two questions of the day... For USAFA and USMA applications: besides the science, math and english teacher recommendation letters, can an applicant submit OTHER field recommendations.. ie... Coach, DECA Advisor, Camp Director, Community Service Program Director, JROTC Commander... If so, how many more? And where does the HS Guidance Counselor letter come in? Second question: What exactly is a nomination from an AFJROTC Commander? What weight does it hold? Which MOC nomination does it count for? Thanks in advance for input.
 
My two questions of the day... For USAFA and USMA applications: besides the science, math and english teacher recommendation letters, can an applicant submit OTHER field recommendations.. ie... Coach, DECA Advisor, Camp Director, Community Service Program Director, JROTC Commander... If so, how many more? And where does the HS Guidance Counselor letter come in? Second question: What exactly is a nomination from an AFJROTC Commander? What weight does it hold? Which MOC nomination does it count for? Thanks in advance for input.

My DS sent in 3 letters directly to AFA. The information is in the candidates instruction manual available on line in your application portal. Good luck.:thumb:

Sorry, I don't know anything about JROTC.
 
yes, thanks. My son was on his USMA portal last night but wasn't able to pull up much more than the basic instruction manual, since he is in pending evaluation status. I'll tell him to get on the USAFA portal, where he'll most likely find more info since he's attending SS. Just didn't want there to be a hidden opportunity that he wasn't aware of before he starts the recommendation letter request process.

Still wondering about the AFJROTC nomination if anyone can give input.
 
Just one opinion

I'm not an expert, can only tell you what we did and have seen from others.

Have recommendations from ROTC det commander, etc mail the letter themselves to the SA with their office return address clearly displayed. The subject of the letter would then include "Regarding candidate Joe Smith". Including in the address the name of the admissions regional director appropriate for your state will make sure its routed to your son/daughters file.

You or your son sending in letters of recomendation doesnt carry nearly the weight as if others take the time to submit on your behalf.
 
A nomination from the commander of your detachment is that, a nomination. You need to have a nomination to even be considered for an appointment, and all Afrotc, and certain Afjrotc detachments can have up to five people nominated for an academy appointment. This is a different category in it's own right and is a different pool than the MOC moms, so they are nice to have. Up to 20 appointments nationwide can be charged to Afrotc or Afjrotc. This means that instead of competing locally for an appointment through your nomination (the way most candidates do it) you would be competing nationwide with other AFrotc and Afjrotc cadets). When I applied for one my commander just signed a form. For Afjrotc I would think the process is very similar if not the same. You should still apply for any source of nomination you are eligible for
 
FutCandMom--Just a little clarification. The 3 teacher (math, science, English are preferred) evaluations are not letters of recommendation, but rather online evaluations. Your son will have to submit the 3 teachers' e-mail addresses (so your son should ask them before school is out and see if they want to use home or school e-mail addresses) to the AF Academy (there will be a place on his online application to do this). Then the AFA will e-mail a link to the evaluations to the teachers with instructions etc. They will be given about 2 weeks to complete them before getting reminder e-mails from the academy. Also, remember that the 3 teachers MUST be from his junior or senior year.

Then, your son can also submit up to 3 letters of recommendation from people other than the teachers that did online evaluations. Coaches, guidance counselors, scout leaders, JROTC commanders etc. are all possibilities. Make sure when your son asks them that they are people that can address specific characteristics, leadership abilities, etc. about your son rather than just say "He's a great kid". I understand what bugsy said about having the person send the letter themselves, but my son's Air Force Admissions Counselor told him they should be submitted together in one envelope with a cover sheet from my son, giving his full name and last 4 digits of his SS# so it made it to the correct file. Your son may want to talk to his Admissions Counselor (name will be on his status page) and see what they prefer.

Good luck to your son--he'll enjoy Summer Seminar!
 
I'm not sure JROTC would have nominations, although I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask. I was told that AFROTC didn't have nominations :)confused:) when I asked earlier this year, but I guess they do and I just read it wrong? Anyways, I guess it depends on what detachment you're in...I think. I'm not really sure, but I advise calling them and asking. :rolleyes:
 
AFROTC and JROTC have nominations. I believed they go into the same pool.
 
Evalutions/Letters of Recommendation

Thanks for the above input. One further clarification, please...
If DS does not have a junior year Science class, should he hold off until his fall senior year of Physics before completing his application since he won't have an evaluation teacher for this field? Also, can the letters of recommendation include non school counselors... ie... summer tennis team, foreign summer travel program or camp counselors? Or is it better to get all from school oriented ECA/Co Curriculars.. These letters of recommendations can also include past teachers from sophomore year? Thanks.
 
FutCandMom--Its not a hard and fast rule that a science teacher has to be one of the 3 online evaluators. My son didn't realize that he would be needing these teacher evaluations until after he was out for the summer after junior year. He tried for weeks to reach his science teacher from jr. year, and finally gave up and asked another AP teacher he had. If your son waits until senior year, the new teacher may want to wait a few weeks/month or so to get to know your son and his work habits/abilities before doing the evaluation. My son was interested in getting the bulk of his application done before school started, as he knew time would become an issue with classes, practice, etc. Also, if your son is a very strong candidate, the sooner his file is complete, its possible that he could be considered for a LOA (letter of assurance), which basically guarantees an appointment IF (and its a big IF) he gets a nomination. But at some point in the fall (I think by end of Nov./Dec? Not exactly sure) they stop issuing LOA's (and in reality give very few compared to the other SA's).

In regards to the letters of rec., the application says that they "should be from people who know you well and who can provide insight into your character, leadership, and preparation for USAFA." That is the only guideline, other than they can't be from any of the 3 teachers that did online evaluations.

I hope this helps!
 
Thanks for the input. Yes, this science thing seems to be an issue if he wants to get his app in early, which he does. He chose AP Environmental Science last year for his Junior Science, not realizing the full pic of what was considered "Science". Like your son, he has been putting a timeline together. He was hoping to complete app in august, especially with the ECA and AFJROTC Commander position that might be on the horizon.

So, if I am understanding correctly, it IS possible to use the AP Environmental Science teacher as an evaluation source? Not as favorable but to get app in, a route to go? Should he follow up and add the Physics teacher evaluation in the fall, or leave app with just the APES. But, am I correct. you can't touch your app after filing?

This forum is really alot of help in sorthing things out. Again, thanks for the input.
 
I'm sure his AP Env. Sci. teacher would be fine--my son subbed AP History when he couldn't reach his science teacher (lived out of town, never checks e-mails over the summer). And yes, once the 3 teachers have done online apps, nothing can be changed. Your son is smart to start thinking about this early on--especially if he also applies to AFROTC, other colleges, etc. for his backup plan, there are always more letters of recommendations, essays, etc. that just take a lot of time to coordinate.
 
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