Originally Posted by
AZFlyer
Made a search on apc forums and baseops.net forums, but couldn't find an answer for this specific question...
Most (all?) ANG units want you to submit letters of recommendation with yout application package, however,
I have not been able to determine if only letters from military officers are the only letters accepted. Every units posting just states "letters of recommendation."
As a civvie, I have virtually zero military contacts, though I have one ANG pilot contact with a unit out east that has welcomed me to visit his unit, however, he does not know me well enough to write a letter (in my opinion).
I can, however, obtain letters from professional civilian/airline pilots who have personally flown with me and have known me for quite some time. Would this hold any weight? Also, would it be silly to submit a letter from my CFI who put me through my private and instrument rating?
Thanks for the help, guys. Also, thanks for putting up with my postings over the months and passing along your expertise!
edit: looking back on this, it seems like a 'no duh' kind of thing, but I'd rather know for certain.
I can answer this..... because I used to be the hiring official at a unit. And I looked at all letters of recommendation. They can be very influential EITHER way!!! (Both in your favor, and not in your favor).
If you can get a recommendation from a military officer, do it. Preferably it will be from someone at a rank equal or greater to the hiring official. We tended to respect that (not saying it's right, it was just the way it was).
If you don't have military contacts--REMEMBER-- Guard units are filled with civilians! We all have civilian jobs or have had them at some point. A good technique is to find out what civ job the hiring guys have (snoop around the unit). Then get a recommendation letter from someone that is in a similar field. Example: I had been a volunteer firefighter when younger. One guy came in with a letter from his local fire chief. When I called the chief, we talked for a half hour about the state of the current fire service-- great guy and upstanding citizen---added GREAT weight to the value of the recommendation. He was hired.
You are getting hired based on your record (all the other stuff) your recommendations, showing interest, willingness to serve, willingness to work and learn, and "being a good guy". So, it's just one element. If you are a pilot, you should bring at least one letter from a pilot. As far as a CFI---if it is a respected owner of a flying school that a lot of Guard guys know (and respect), or a respected CFI --that would be good. A young CFI with no track record will not hurt---but it may not help (unless HE is a guard guy too). You mentioned you had professional pilots who flew with you. That would be more weight than the CFI. Unless you just got your ratings, and they were the only pilot who could recommend you---I'd stay away from that. The reason--- I would question why you were a professional pilot, had piloting jobs---and didn't get a rec from who you worked with but went all the way back to the CFI (they may think the applicant was trying to cover up something more recent)
If you can't do any of the above---try to get Civic leaders, clergy, business owners, government supervisors, college professors, etc. that you have worked for or under. Remember, you need to get people that can easily be contacted. I contacted everyone from the recommendations. You then get a "true" recommendation. So another aspect is to get someone who will be readily available. Hiring guys may not be too keen trying to chase down someone hard to find.
Hope this helps a bit or gives you something to work with.
Good luck on your application. You'll enjoy it.