Non-Application specific Recommendations

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ProudPapa26_28

DD '26, DS '28 Appointee
Joined
Mar 25, 2022
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118
Greetings All -

I tried searching, but recommendations is a commonly talked about subject, especially the ones required by the application.

What I would like to ask is whether the SAs accept or consider other recommendations. DS has been offerred the opportunity to interview with an O8 so he could provide a recommendation. While he is going to talk with the O8, I seem to recall that the SAs would not put any weight into that recommendation. Am I totally off base? What I am looking is to save the O8 the time to write the recommendation if it would not be useful.

Thanks as always to the experts!
 
The consensus over the years on SAF is that a “recommendation” from a random high-ranking official with little real knowledge of the candidate is essentially useless. While the 0-8 may have good intentions and genuinely believe that they have clout, that doesn’t seem to be the case in reality. Which probably explains why the SAs make little, if any, accommodation for such “recommendations.” In reality, such an interview seems no greater than what a BGO would do, but with less training and understanding of the criteria.
 
The SAs accept optional recommendations up to a certain number, depending on the specific SA. They are only worth putting in if they give the admissions committee a different view of the candidate and provide new information to help their understanding of the profile. A common mistake is getting one from a high-ranking official (governor, congressperson, generals/flags like the O8 you talk about) just for the big letterhead and the SAs see through that attempt.


To make the most of your O8 interview, your DS needs to:
- Have him discuss the general topics and ideas he doesn't usually cover in school, as those will already be reflected in school recommendations.

- Do extensive research on the O8 (he's a general/flag, it won't be hard) to gain a thorough understanding of his career and how it shaped his
experiences and life/command/leadership philosophy (again he's an O8; he has unique perspectives working in a different field of the military as a GO/FO)

- Ask the questions that will connect your DS and the O8 on a deeper level by connecting experiences and learning lessons that the O8's long career in the military has yielded him. This shows that your son is serious about leading service members and does not shy away from, and even enjoys, deeper, intellectual conversations with seemingly scary adults (like a very high-ranking officer).

This skill is important in the military (including the SAs) (civilian sector too; workplace dynamics apply) when you have counseling sessions with your supervisor. Organizations and leadership need critical thinkers and intellectuals who are capable of innovating in their respective fields and as leaders in general. Hone and demonstrate those skills - they will be valuable reflections in the O8's letter.

(For example, when I had ROTC interviews I still dressed and addressed the O5s professionally, but the whole interview was pretty much a conversation about each of our lives, past/present future, and it was very enjoyable and more fruitful than feeling nervous and trying to stay rigid.)

- Steer the conversation in a way that he knows will cover a different aspect of himself to present to admissions. A general conversation about a hardworking, outstanding young man from a general will have a marginal if not adverse, impact on your application. Interviews require a methodical and almost artistic navigation of the flow of conversation to cover all the points mentioned above. DS will get better as he starts to train these skills.
 
MidCakePa said:
The consensus over the years on SAF is that a “recommendation” from a random high-ranking official with little real knowledge of the candidate is essentially useless. While the 0-8 may have good intentions and genuinely believe that they have clout, that doesn’t seem to be the case in reality. Which probably explains why the SAs make little, if any, accommodation for such “recommendations.” In reality, such an interview seems no greater than what a BGO would do, but with less training and understanding of the criteria.
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That was my recollection as well. . .Thanks for the confirmation. . .
 
BubbaCool12 said:
The SAs accept optional recommendations up to a certain number, depending on the specific SA. They are only worth putting in if they give the admissions committee a different view of the candidate and provide new information to help their understanding of the profile. A common mistake is getting one from a high-ranking official (governor, congressperson, generals/flags like the O8 you talk about) just for the big letterhead and the SAs see through that attempt.


To make the most of your O8 interview, your DS needs to:
- Have him discuss the general topics and ideas he doesn't usually cover in school, as those will already be reflected in school recommendations.

- Do extensive research on the O8 (he's a general/flag, it won't be hard) to gain a thorough understanding of his career and how it shaped his
experiences and life/command/leadership philosophy (again he's an O8; he has unique perspectives working in a different field of the military as a GO/FO)

- Ask the questions that will connect your DS and the O8 on a deeper level by connecting experiences and learning lessons that the O8's long career in the military has yielded him. This shows that your son is serious about leading service members and does not shy away from, and even enjoys, deeper, intellectual conversations with seemingly scary adults (like a very high-ranking officer).

This skill is important in the military (including the SAs) (civilian sector too; workplace dynamics apply) when you have counseling sessions with your supervisor. Organizations and leadership need critical thinkers and intellectuals who are capable of innovating in their respective fields and as leaders in general. Hone and demonstrate those skills - they will be valuable reflections in the O8's letter.

(For example, when I had ROTC interviews I still dressed and addressed the O5s professionally, but the whole interview was pretty much a conversation about each of our lives, past/present future, and it was very enjoyable and more fruitful than feeling nervous and trying to stay rigid.)

- Steer the conversation in a way that he knows will cover a different aspect of himself to present to admissions. A general conversation about a hardworking, outstanding young man from a general will have a marginal if not adverse, impact on your application. Interviews require a methodical and almost artistic navigation of the flow of conversation to cover all the points mentioned above. DS will get better as he starts to train these skills.
Click to expand...
This is just good advice, plain and simple, applicable well beyond our little world of SA recommendations. . .Thanks!

My thought is to have him talk with the O8, but not have him take the time to write the recommendation. . .The discussion will still be worthwhile, and a good opportunity for DS.
 
ProudPapa2026 said:
This is just good advice, plain and simple, applicable well beyond our little world of SA recommendations. . .Thanks!

My thought is to have him talk with the O8, but not have him take the time to write the recommendation. . .The discussion will still be worthwhile, and a good opportunity for DS.
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Happy to help! And I agree, the conversation is going to be much more valuable than a letter; it's ultimately about developing your DS. One case where the process is the bulk of the value, not the result.
 
I wonder, on my own, if providing something like OP is talking about *could* actually backfire a bit. No basis for my thinking, but if I was interviewing someone for a job, and they ‘name dropped’ a bigwig like that, I personally would be turned off.
 
The general guidance is that a recommendation from a senior officer isn’t going to add any weight unless they have a long standing relationship and can speak with deep knowledge of the candidate. A simple meet and letter isn’t going to add value or weight to an app.
 
ProudPapa2026 said:
My thought is to have him talk with the O8, but not have him take the time to write the recommendation. . .The discussion will still be worthwhile, and a good opportunity for DS.
Click to expand...
Definitely this.

Frankly, the recommendation would probably be useless. Unless there somehow is already an established personal/professional relationship, I can imagine the EA would just take a form letter endorsement, spice it up a bit with a few personal details, and send it back--not something USNA would care about.

But the just conversation and mentorship are worth the time. I would never pass up an opportunity to have a 1-on-1 with a senior officer or flag officer.
 
BubbaCool12 said:
The SAs accept optional recommendations up to a certain number, depending on the specific SA. They are only worth putting in if they give the admissions committee a different view of the candidate and provide new information to help their understanding of the profile. A common mistake is getting one from a high-ranking official (governor, congressperson, generals/flags like the O8 you talk about) just for the big letterhead and the SAs see through that attempt.


To make the most of your O8 interview, your DS needs to:
- Have him discuss the general topics and ideas he doesn't usually cover in school, as those will already be reflected in school recommendations.

- Do extensive research on the O8 (he's a general/flag, it won't be hard) to gain a thorough understanding of his career and how it shaped his
experiences and life/command/leadership philosophy (again he's an O8; he has unique perspectives working in a different field of the military as a GO/FO)

- Ask the questions that will connect your DS and the O8 on a deeper level by connecting experiences and learning lessons that the O8's long career in the military has yielded him. This shows that your son is serious about leading service members and does not shy away from, and even enjoys, deeper, intellectual conversations with seemingly scary adults (like a very high-ranking officer).

This skill is important in the military (including the SAs) (civilian sector too; workplace dynamics apply) when you have counseling sessions with your supervisor. Organizations and leadership need critical thinkers and intellectuals who are capable of innovating in their respective fields and as leaders in general. Hone and demonstrate those skills - they will be valuable reflections in the O8's letter.

(For example, when I had ROTC interviews I still dressed and addressed the O5s professionally, but the whole interview was pretty much a conversation about each of our lives, past/present future, and it was very enjoyable and more fruitful than feeling nervous and trying to stay rigid.)

- Steer the conversation in a way that he knows will cover a different aspect of himself to present to admissions. A general conversation about a hardworking, outstanding young man from a general will have a marginal if not adverse, impact on your application. Interviews require a methodical and almost artistic navigation of the flow of conversation to cover all the points mentioned above. DS will get better as he starts to train these skills.
Click to expand...
Bubba - aren't you still in high school?
 
navyman73 said:
Bubba - aren't you still in high school?
Click to expand...
Yes, I was just highlighting the opportunity for a great experience speaking to an O8 rather than the use of the letter which is apparent to be next to none.

I apologize if I said anything inaccurate.
 
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I agree with the above advice. Unless the officer and the candidate have a longstanding personal relationship, I would not ask for a letter, but would 100% soak up all the knowledge they can and accept guidance and counsel if it is being offered.

I think that is one thing that contributed to DS maturity at a young age. He was always finding the oldest people in the room to hang out with. People in leadership roles whether in the military or corporate, asked questions, had conversations, and listened.
 
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I think regular mentoring will do more to help guide your son …

Our daughter has an O-8 as a mentor at the Naval Academy …
.
 
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