Enlisted Marine needing help with CO's recommendation and nomination

roblesjackson

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Hey everyone. I'm currently an E-4 with the Marines and the last part of my application is my CO's recommendation/nomination. I need help with how do I get either of those. I've looked online and I'm still confused with it. If anyone could help me that would be greatly appreciated


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Search up Active Duty applicants on the USNA website. In the Active duty section at the very bottom is a fleet applicant checklist. Attached to the checklist are sample formats for the SECNAV nomination request and the CO endorsement. You can fill out the SECNAV yourself, but the endorsement you will have to pass up your chain and have your CO complete and sign.

I'm a Lcpl in the Marines
 
Hey everyone. I'm currently an E-4 with the Marines and the last part of my application is my CO's recommendation/nomination. I need help with how do I get either of those. I've looked online and I'm still confused with it. If anyone could help me that would be greatly appreciated


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My DS, E-5 USMC currently at NAPS, encountered the same challenge last year. The USNA admissions counselor kept sending him the Navy prior info and the USNA webpage for active duty had outdated Marine info last year, but he was resourceful and researched things on his own. Read the MARADMIN and all the other orders. Pretty sure the MCO 1530.11G has the actual sample format for the recommendations. You need to use the USMC format as opposed to the Navy format for your recommendations and Sec Navy request. Start lining up your military recommendations now so they can start their drafts and ask one of them to get you on your CO's agenda as he will need to interview you before he submits his recommendation. Best of luck to you!
 
There is also a senior enlisted staffer at USNA Admissions who is the go-to person for enlisted applicants. Call the general Admissions number, and they can steer you to him/her, if you need specific help.

For your package going up the chain to your CO, I suggest consulting the admin experts in the front office on how to prepare it, as well as working with your immediate chain of command for their support and advice on staffing your package. I reviewed many of these when I was in command, and I was always impressed when an enlisted commissioning package arrived with everything clearly laid out as to what was being asked for, when it was needed, required format, and suggested draft recommendation for my review. This whole initiative should not be a surprise to your immediate leadership. Their support and recommendation to the CO will be key.

Have you sought out any USNA grads amongst the junior officers to ask for their insight and mentoring?

Don't be surprised if you land on the CO's schedule for a visit. I never signed these blindly. It was my signature on a document stating the applicant was a worthy candidate for commissioning and had my trust and confidence. Be prepared for questions about your motivation to become an officer, why USNA is your preferred route, the role of an officer versus a senior enlisted leader, etc. I recall an applicant who replied "because it pays better," when I asked him why he wanted to be an officer. I did not sign off on his package at that time. I did send him on some "instructional rounds," and he stepped up to the plate.

And - good luck!


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Thanks for the help. I've been going back and forth on emergency leave with my mother so it's hard for me getting this last part for my application. My duty station is in Japan so the 14 hour time difference right now doesn't help either. I tried going through my chain of command and they have not helped me nor have they replied to my emails. The deadline is a month from now so I emailed my CO about everything. I know it's jumping my chain of command but this is an opportunity I don't want to miss out on because I'm not getting the help I need.

As far as the nomination and recommendation. The MCO I looked at has the sample letter for application... Is that just for the CO to see? Or is that for me to fill out and we send it it. Also is that letter the nomination?

Then there's one that says CO's endorsement. Is that one for the recommendation part of the application for me?


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For me I am active duty navy so not sure how different. But I got the sample format filled in the information including the CO'S rec. Took it to our YNs admin yeoman I am not sure the marine equivalent mos. But I am sure you have an equivalent asked them if this was correct they made corrections had there LT look over it then at that point routed it like a chit. It included all the paperwork asked for in there test score verifications PRT results etc. like I said I am not sure the format in your MARADMIN. I encountered the same problem with help from seniors or LPOs/ supervisors in my shop and direct chain of command and basically wrote everything myself including the COs recommendation portion. YES ha I wrote what I thought the CO would say about me ha. and had admin review it like a essay basically. Because they write all the awards etc things that are very similar.

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Oh sorry just wanted to add one thing once I routed it like a chit everybody in my chain off command saw the end product. So it was like essentially I wasn't jumping anybody. They signed off on it upto my divisional officer and then up through our admin again even though they already reviewed it then through our upper echelon. So write everything yourself have admin review it. Start from there.

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Ha sorry for all the posts I just want to leave you with everything I encountered because I had the same problem. But if you're having trouble writing the COs recommendation portion. I would look to a divisional officer and ask them if they have any around that were used for STA-21 or other officer programs. If you know anyone that has applied for STA-21 or other programs they all usually require a COs recommendation they all are different format. But just for wording bases ask to see their COs recommendation if they are willing just to get an idea. Then still ask again your Divo to critique it till you're happy with yours. It is a process and I know you are short on time but it is possible. Give the fleet coordinator at USNA a heads up too. Let him know you are working on this and it's routing etc. He is able to make annotations on your admission application at USNA. ( and don't quote me but possibly even a small extension if it came down to waiting approval etc) the more communication the better

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My DS was stationed in Japan too. The time difference makes things more difficult. He wasn't able to complete his package until Jan 24 last year, but still had successful results. His CO preferred to write his own recommendation (short but sweet...my words...lol... not sure he'd like that I called his comments sweet but they were a very nice endorsement). His CO followed the format listed in the MCO. My DS prepared one of the infamous red folders for his CO. It included one section with his basic individual record, basic training record, and record of service (pro cons). The next section included a copy of his USNA candidate activities record and the summary of his personal data record. The last section was a copy of the recommendations from his E-8 and O-3. He had his officer submit a copy of this prior to his interview. Follow the exact format in the MCO for the Sec Navy nom request. I believe he had a copy of that in the red folder too. Feel free to PM if you have other questions.

The fleet coordinator may be able to do a short extension based on your situation. If I recall correctly, there were a few deadlines that were a little flexible for enlisted due to duty station assignments, etc. I'm sure you'll strive to meet those deadlines, but it might be worth checking out with the fleet coordinator especially due to your emergency leave situation.
 
The fleet coordinator may be able to do a short extension based on your situation.

This is definitely a possibility. Talk to the Fleet Admissions counselor.
 
Emaxwell@usna.edu
Senior Chief Ephraim Maxwell was the Fleet/Corps guy in Admissions last I knew. I will check tomorrow to see if it's still him. I know it's crazy to work the time difference OCONUS.




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Fleet Admissions Counselor is now LSC Regino (regino@usna.edu).
 
Thanks for the help. I've been going back and forth on emergency leave with my mother so it's hard for me getting this last part for my application. My duty station is in Japan so the 14 hour time difference right now doesn't help either. I tried going through my chain of command and they have not helped me nor have they replied to my emails. The deadline is a month from now so I emailed my CO about everything. I know it's jumping my chain of command but this is an opportunity I don't want to miss out on because I'm not getting the help I need.

Corporal:

First off, I am sorry to hear about your emergency leave situation and hope all works out for your mother.

Second, your chain of command comments really shocked me. I can't imagine why you are not being supported but you have been in the Corps long enough to know how to work the chain of command. You need to work up the chain and get the support you need. You must have a Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Company Gunny or the equivalent who can get this jump started. If they are blocking you, request a Captain's mast (or the equivalent). There are established procedures - use them.

I really hope this works out for you and you have gotten great advice thus far.

I don't mean to offend you but I do want to challenge you to consider one possible scenario: is it possible you are not getting support because your chain of command does not support your application? Its a piss poor way of handling it but could this be the reason for your chain's lack of effort here? If you can honestly say this isn't the case, then press on and accomplish the mission.
 
Thanks everyone. I'm finally getting the help I need now that my CO knows about it and even cc'd most of my E-8s and above to help me through this process. Just like everyone said, no one gonna care about this more than me and it's definitely true. Thanks again


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