The letter from a family member will "go away" almost immediately.
A letter of recommendation from a military member "can" be valuable, or a complete bust. I have been an ALO for a LONG time and I spent 10 years on my MOC's /USS's nomination boards as an AF rep. The "secret" to a really impacting LOR is a letter from someone that truly, and I mean TRULY, knows the candidate and can speak first-hand to their integrity, talents, goals/desires, strengths, and weaknesses. They can paint a picture that truly informs the selection committee and puts a clear mental image into each evaluator's head of who this young person is and are they the "right choice" for an appointment.
Let me give you two brief examples of what I mean. Several years ago I had to evaluate two candidates that had "flag officer LOR's." One young man had a letter from an active duty 3-star general. It spoke in glowing terms of how he unhesitatingly recommended this young man, his father had flown with this general, and then served as his executive officer, and later as one of his squadron commanders when he was a wing commander, etc...fine family, outstanding education; the perfect choice. It was on official USAF Major Command Letterhead...very nice.
The other candidate was a nice young lady who, just like the young man, appeared to be a superb choice. She had a letter, from a recently retired 4-Star General, a Combatant Command Commander. It was on his "General's stationary" with the blue 4-star flag at the top, center. It was written in what appeared to be either an old Flair pen or a fine-point sharpie. It spoke about the young lady, he's her godfather (he was the fathers' commander when she was born) and over the ensuing 17 years, he'd followed her closely. The families were very close, they would get together on vacations, and he maintained a mentor (kindly uncle) role in her life. He spoke to all her qualities, desires, goals, you name it. He gave specific examples that he'd seen, and just painted a very clear picture. At the end he wrote something like "If you have ANY questions, this is my personal cell phone number, please call me directly!"
Which do you think hit harder?
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83