Nomination letters of recomendation

I have already contacted 3 people I would like to write me a letter of rec, though I have not received any back yet. However a few days ago my boss's boss (county employee) said he may be able to help me out and get a politically respected man to write me a recommendation although he does not know me personally. Would this be a good idea? Would it help or harm my potential nom?

keg said:

I have already contacted 3 people I would like to write me a letter of rec, though I have not received any back yet. However a few days ago my boss's boss (county employee) said he may be able to help me out and get a politically respected man to write me a recommendation although he does not know me personally. Would this be a good idea? Would it help or harm my potential nom?

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For me no. I serve on my MOC's nomination board and probably read more letters of recommendation than I care to.

So what is this person going to say? I am assuming something along the line of that you are a great kid, SAT score XYZ, playing sports, school activities, and you will be a good cadet and good officer. Things mentioned above is a summary of your accomplishments. It really adds nothing.

My opinion, a good LOR needs three things - credential in determining SA and military service potential (i.e. a SA grad, former military, high school teacher that taught several students that attended SAs, etc), personal knowledge (i.e. neighbor for 5 years, work supervisor, team coach, etc), and additional information (i.e. school teacher should mentioned something more than grades, etc).

I had a feeling that's how it'd work! I chose my AP biology teacher, my nordic ski coach and my karate instructor (who has known me since I was 6). My uncle and 2 cousins are west point grads, are family members allowed to write a recommendation?