How do people get letters of recommendation from generals or admirals?

[NavyHoops]

The same thing as always. Grades, PT scores, demonstrate the ability to handle a tough schedule (school, work, PT, volunteer), complete a sentence (interview), a desire to serve. As things get tougher, the tougher the selection becomes.

A google search says Army OCS rates for FY 2025 ranged from approx 28% to 60%. The low number was summer selection which tends to trend that way each year. So far FY 26 is reporting similar numbers. Closer to 60% for non-summer results and lower for the summer board. So someone has control over when they submit.

You keep throwing out numbers that don’t paint the whole picture and at times just false info. And why does it matter? It’s another excuse for not taking action.

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

Ok, so what do you need to stand out? In the last army board, only around 20-30% of the applicants were accepted. They aren't taking most people

A good ASTB score, decent grades from a decent university with the understanding that non-STEM degrees will want higher GPAs than a STEM degree, and the attention to detail to simply finish the application (you'd be surprised how many wannabe officers couldn't square themselves away just to finish the application).

Stand out? ASTB > 55, GPA > 3.30. That was the base "competitive profile" when I was recruiting in a more competitive time.

The other thing is what do people apply for? A lot of individuals always came to me wanting Intel because it sounds cool. But per capita Intel takes fewer people than say, Surface Warfare Officer. I'll add that while 20-30% doesn't sound like a lot, that's better than many competitive civilian jobs.

People often came to me thinking that having a 4-year degree meant "I WILL be an officer if I join." No, it means you can apply.

 

[OldRetSWO]

While in OCS( And scrubbing toilets), several people told tales of people pulling off a direct commision. It was interesting to hear of their political pull.

Like This?

Hunter Biden received a direct commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2012 to serve as a public affairs officer. At 42 years old, he required age and drug-waivers to be accepted.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Ok, so what do you need to stand out? In the last army board, only around 20-30% of the applicants were accepted. They aren't taking most people

If it was easy, everyone could do it.

How tough and competent are you? Do you WANT to be challenged and pushed? Start by challenging and pushing YOURSELF.

When you say things like "My parents never emphasized sports", you turn many people off. Personally, my parents never gave two craps
about sports. My sister and I along with the kids in the neighborhood played sports with next to zero adult involvement. I played a high school sport and was a varsity athlete at USNA and my parents, while proud of me were not involved AT ALL. It was on me, just like the rest of my academy application and later, my career.

 

[Devil Doc]

randyranger has been linguistically dodging accountability here for a long time on the topic of becoming a military officer.

Lots of us have been nice, informative, and mostly supportive.

I don't know if he's lonely and we are considered his internet friends or is he just playing us.

One thing about threads like this is there's tons of useful information that comes out regardless of it being useful or not to the OP.

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

Like This?

Hunter Biden received a direct commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2012 to serve as a public affairs officer. At 42 years old, he required age and drug-waivers to be accepted.

Being fair, Hunter Biden's commission was "DCO" -- Direct Commission Officer, which is straight into the reserves. We do many of those every year. Now, does getting a coveted DCO PAO selection with age and drug waivers indicate the power of connections? Yeah, I think that's a safe conclusion.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Being fair, Hunter Biden's commission was "DCO" -- Direct Commission Officer, which is straight into the reserves. We do many of those every year. Now, does getting a coveted DCO PAO selection with age and drug waivers indicate the power of connections? Yeah, I think that's a safe conclusion.

Generally DCOs have significant experience in their assigned areas. I would expect a Public Affairs DCO to be a journalist or at least an experienced Press Representative.

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

Generally DCOs have significant experience in their assigned areas. I would expect a Public Affairs DCO to be a journalist or at least an experienced Press Representative.

Agreed. The handful of DCOs I put in all were well established in an analogous civilian field before getting their commission, with the exception of some strong prior-E applicants.

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Agreed. The handful of DCOs I put in all were well established in an analogous civilian field before getting their commission, with the exception of some strong prior-E applicants.

Hunter has tons of experience with manipulating the press if that counts. And firearms experience based on his plea deal.