How To Request

Being new to the Army, I have absolutely no contacts. How does one go about requesting a letter of recommendation from an active or retired CW5 when you don't know any?

I'm in the same boat.

Even if you don't have "contacts" you do have a chain of command. Use them. Also, think about the people you knew before joining the military. People of influence in your community, pastors, congressmen/women, CEO's, community leaders, places you've volunteered.

There isn't a shortage of battle hardened leadership in the military. e-7 through e-9's that might write you a LOR. In short, if you want this then, talk to those people around you. Develop relationships quickly.

Hope that helps.

Don't give up...

Thanks for the reply. I actually had previously secured letters from former and current bosses which is about the only influential people I can think of outside of family (which I didn't think was too good of an idea).

When I say I'm new, I mean I'm so new that I don't know my chain of command yet First drill is coming up next weekend and I'm told we'll spend that time ordering my uniforms and such.

My current boss does know a retired CW5 who I am trying to get contact information for so that's one source and I guess I can ask the people I work with at the Pentagon to get additional letters and/or contacts. I'm thinking you can't have too many or am I wrong?

Thanks again for helping out the new guys

Senators?

That's an excellent idea Konig. I'll have to try to figure out the proper way to do this since I live in WV but am serving in MD. Maybe I could get both to write letters for me

BTW, just to update everyone. My first drill weekend was pretty slow as the unit had just finished their Annual Training the prior month so they planned on this weekend being a relax weekend. Did meet most of my section and talked to the supply SGT on uniforms (as of August, still none though).

Decided to take the Physical Fitness Test last Drill (August 2008) and just wore my civilian workout clothes - they are grey and black though I was really worried even though I'd been going to the gym since June.

Anyway here are the results:
Push-ups - 42; right on my goal
Sit-ups - 38; a bit shy of my goal
Run - 14:40; WAY under my goal
Total Points - 244; not bad for a 50 something eh? Now just need to work on sit-ups to get up to goal then push all to 100 points.

Next big challenge is October when we go to the range for Individual Weapons Qualification. Since the AF doesn't really shoot "real" M-16s, I'm a bit worried, but, I'm sure I'll do well enough to qualify. That's the goal for my first time. Then we'll start working on marksmanship scores.

Again, thanks for the advice and I'll get working on the request letter.

I've just sent in letters to my senators so hopefully they will get back sometime soon. I'm not sure when to put my packet in. I deploy to Iraq in February and I'm not sure if I should wait tell then to put it in or put it in ASAP.

AngeloMileto have you been to basic yet? What are the physical fitness standards of the AF. Qualifying with your weapon is a peace of cake. Some people let it get to there head even though its not a big deal at all. Just relax, breathe and you'll be fine.

The USAF standards are way below the Army. Im currently in the USAF and im 26 years of age. I breeze throught the fitness test without trying. You can score in the high 80's without pushing yourself as long as you dont have a huge waist. But the USAF PF test reall is just pass or fail.