Letter of Rec from Naval Officer

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wnsham96

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During my son’s Senator panel interview this weekend, one of the interviewers told him he should try to get a letter of rec from a Naval officer (he wants to go to USNA). Apparently you can request to be interviewed by a Naval officer and they can then write a recommendation for you. Does anyone know anything about this? We’ve never heard of it and don’t know where to start.
 
wnsham96 said:
During my son’s Senator panel interview this weekend, one of the interviewers told him he should try to get a letter of rec from a Naval officer (he wants to go to USNA). Apparently you can request to be interviewed by a Naval officer and they can then write a recommendation for you. Does anyone know anything about this? We’ve never heard of it and don’t know where to start.
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I would venture to say that this is contrary to most of the opinions and advice here, and I have not heard about any ask-a-Navy officer resource. I think something has gotten lost in translation.

Letters of recommendation have the most impact from someone who actually knows the applicant, and can speak to character, work ethic, positive traits, specific personal knowledge of the individual. We have many who post here that say have gotten a letter from some admiral, but that means very little unless that person can sincerely write something like, “I have known Davey Jones since he was 10/from working with him in Sea Cadets/from his Eagle Scout project and he impressed me with ….” and goes in to relate personal, powerful and positive observations. Those help the SA gain insight into some aspect of the candidate from someone who knows him.
 
Capt MJ said:
I would venture to say that this is contrary to most of the opinions and advice here, and I have not heard about any ask-a-Navy officer resource. I think something has gotten lost in translation.

Letters of recommendation have the most impact from someone who actually knows the applicant, and can speak to character, work ethic, positive traits, specific personal knowledge of the individual. We have many who post here that say have gotten a letter from some admiral, but that means very little unless that person can sincerely write something like, “I have known Davey Jones since he was 10/from working with him in Sea Cadets/from his Eagle Scout project and he impressed me with ….” and goes in to relate personal, powerful and positive observations. Those help the SA gain insight into some aspect of the candidate from someone who knows him.
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Spot on. Most SA's feel the same. Now you can get an individual from a SA or Nom. board that thinks a letter from an Officer or higher level Officer is best-but they are in the minority. Like @Capt MJ, and the OP, I have never heard of a service that the Navy provides to do interviews.

Question: did the Senator's Nomination staff/package require letters of recommendation? Does it say from who?
 
Don't Give Up the Ship said:
Spot on. Most SA's feel the same. Now you can get an individual from a SA or Nom. board that thinks a letter from an Officer or higher level Officer is best-but they are in the minority. Like @Capt MJ, and the OP, I have never heard of a service that the Navy provides to do interviews.

Question: did the Senator's Nomination staff/package require letters of recommendation? Does it say from who?
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Yes, he had to submit 3 letters of rec, with at least one from teacher, principal or counselor.
 
I feel like he misunderstood or didn't hear part of this. A letter from an Officer, who actually knows you, would be wonderful! My daughter received one from an officer, who she knew for several years, as she was their family's go-to babysitter. His letter beautifully gave examples of her character and how that would translate to being an Officer.
 
momofusna1 said:
I feel like he misunderstood or didn't hear part of this. A letter from an Officer, who actually knows you, would be wonderful! My daughter received one from an officer, who she knew for several years, as she was their family's go-to babysitter. His letter beautifully gave examples of her character and how that would translate to being an Officer.
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This makes sense. However, the interviewer told my son that the senator staff knew Navy officers, and to ask the lady at the checkin table to connect him with one. She thought maybe an officer could interview him and then give him a recommendation. However, when my son asked the lady at the checkin table, she clearly looked confused, and said she would email him a name. My son never got an email.
 
wnsham96 said:
This makes sense. However, the interviewer told my son that the senator staff knew Navy officers, and to ask the lady at the checkin table to connect him with one. She thought maybe an officer could interview him and then give him a recommendation. However, when my son asked the lady at the checkin table, she clearly looked confused, and said she would email him a name. My son never got an email.
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Are they referencing the Blue and Gold Officer interview? Has your son completed his BGO interview? If not, he will. It is a required part of his application. His portal will list his BGO.
 
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wnsham96 said:
This makes sense. However, the interviewer told my son that the senator staff knew Navy officers, and to ask the lady at the checkin table to connect him with one. She thought maybe an officer could interview him and then give him a recommendation. However, when my son asked the lady at the checkin table, she clearly looked confused, and said she would email him a name. My son never got an email.
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This doesnt make sense. Seems like some miscommunication is likely involved.
 
I agree that either it was a reply to a question taken out of context, someone misunderstood what was said or isn't familiar with the SA application process. Part of the USNA application process is having an interview with your assigned BGO, but that doesn't involve writing a letter of recommendation. Asking anyone who didn't previously know you to write a letter of recommendation (regardless of their title) makes no sense and would serve little value when applying. Many older threads on that topic.

Letters of recommendation for a MOC NOM would be submitted PRIOR to their interviews as part of your application package.
 
Peter2025 said:
I think @NavyHoops hit this one square on. Sounds like the MOC might not understand the SA process completely, which is understandable.
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Can be true. I was actually interviewed to be on an MOC Nom board yesterday...I noticed some things one of the interviewers said were not exactly accurate. After 15 minutes of discussion SA's and Noms...I was "appointed to the MOC Board." No meeting or talking to the actual MOC. Bye the way...all humans are subject to human error and it never goes away-never.
 
Don't Give Up the Ship said:
Can be true. I was actually interviewed to be on an MOC Nom board yesterday...I noticed some things one of the interviewers said were not exactly accurate. After 15 minutes of discussion SA's and Noms...I was "appointed to the MOC Board." No meeting or talking to the actual MOC. Bye the way...all humans are subject to human error and it never goes away-never.
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I have sat on many MOC boards. Last year was a panel of many grads, I was the only BGO. Their understanding of the process was lacking. Which is fine, they were there to evaluate the candidate. It’s a complex system that very few understand. Even those of us who have been involved for years still learn new things and will never know things like the admissions formula. I have never had a MOC involved in selection of the panels or sat on the panels.
 
Don't Give Up the Ship said:
Can be true. I was actually interviewed to be on an MOC Nom board yesterday...I noticed some things one of the interviewers said were not exactly accurate. After 15 minutes of discussion SA's and Noms...I was "appointed to the MOC Board." No meeting or talking to the actual MOC. Bye the way...all humans are subject to human error and it never goes away-never.
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NavyHoops said:
I have sat on many MOC boards. Last year was a panel of many grads, I was the only BGO. Their understanding of the process was lacking. Which is fine, they were there to evaluate the candidate. It’s a complex system that very few understand. Even those of us who have been involved for years still learn new things and will never know things like the admissions formula. I have never had a MOC involved in selection of the panels or sat on the panels.
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Absolutely understand confusion with the system, and I'm thankful for all of you who volunteer your time to help evaluate candidates.
 
NavyHoops said:
I have never had a MOC involved in selection of the panels or sat on the panels.
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My local MOC is actually a USNA grad but does not get directly involved with the interviews although will generally meet & greet with the panelists before the start of interviews.
 
OldRetSWO said:
My local MOC is actually a USNA grad but does not get directly involved with the interviews although will generally meet & greet with the panelists before the start of interviews.
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That’s a great practice = Leadership
 
NavyHoops said:
Are they referencing the Blue and Gold Officer interview? Has your son completed his BGO interview? If not, he will. It is a required part of his application. His portal will list his BGO.
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Yes he’s already completed his BGO interview 👍
 
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