How can I get OCS recommendations when none of the people I know respect my decision?

Question

I'm 28YO, male, and have an undergraduate degree in business and Masters in business. I also attended law school for 2 years though I didn't finish. I want to become an infantry officer in the Army and am in touch with a recruiter. I have to go before an OCS board with documents that must include at least 3 and no more than 6 recommendations about my character. I've had good jobs and academic experiences, but none of the people that I've asked to write a recommnedation will. Its not that they don't respect me or think that I'm not leadership material, but they are adamantly against me joining the Army. I scored a 98 on the ASVAB, have strong college and grad school transcripts, not married, no children, and good health. However, I am having a difficult time overcoming this hurdle for an admissions packet with meaningful letters of recommendation from people with credentials. Any ideas on joining and making this happen?

Answer 1

contact your local representatives. Contact your pastor, or prior bosses? You have a larger network than you think. Best of luck to you, and I hope you successfully escape your negative environment you are currently in.

Answer 2

You're worrying about this way too much guy. Your letters most likely won't even be looked at. People with credentials isn't necessary. I put a flight packet in a few years ago, the officer selection board, which you'll be going to , didn't even look at my letters and they gave me the thumbs up, I highly doubt they looked at them when my packet went to the actual flight selection board either cause I didn't have letters from anyone with credentials.
But by all means if you can get a letter from a congress man, or a mayor for example, it defiantly wouldn't hurt. If you know any former NCO's or officers, get letters from them. You're packet doesn't really matter, it's gonna be how you present yourself to the board, but don't stress about it.

Answer 3

I went through OCS in 2002. I got letters from college professors and bosses at work. If I remember correctly, the board didn't look too much at the LORs. They cared more about the interview and how you present yourself. Talk to your recruiter and see if maybe you can't talk to someone in his chain of command. You may be able talk with them a bit and get them to write you a letter. Beyond that, explain to the people you respect why you want to join and what it means to you. If they respect you as a person, they shouldn't be so selfish as to not help you in your goals.

Also, be prepared for OCS. it's pretty much 16 weeks of reindeer games. You'll be treated as poorly, if not worse, than in basic training. It's worth it in the end, but the 6 months between the start of basic to when you finally get comissioned is a *****. It may have changed in the past 5 years, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

Answer 4

All I can say is that you appear to be made of far stronger stuff than the people you're talking about--I doubt if a single one of them would ever have the cajones to even consider for one second joining the military; the ones who do, especially in a time of war, are the best people we have in this country, and the fact that such a tiny percentage of our population would consider doing what you're doing not only speaks volumes about you, but also much our society has devolved, in terms of moral fiber, fortitude, and actually contributing something to the country that lets them live such cushy lives... far be it from those people who are against your decision to ever bother EARNING any of the rights they enjoy. Sounds to me like you'll make a fine officer and a fine infantryman.

Answer 5

Let's look at your track record. Graduated and have an MBA. Business wasn;t for you so you go to law school. You don't finish, evidently law isn't for you. You had good jobs ( JobS seems to say there's been more than one.
Here's your problem. What IS for you?.
Joining the Army is a committment, and you just don't seem to be able to make a committment to anything. After 6 months in the Army, will you feel the Army isn't for you?

Answer 6

Ask them to write you a general job recommendation that talks about your leadership and values as opposed to one that is 'for the Army.'

Considering that they would prefer to see you in the civilian world than the military, they'll probably jump all over it. Then you can use the recommendations in your OCS packet.

Answer 7

Keep on pressuring them. They will eventually see that this is what you want.....

Answer 8

Good for them. they must care about you unlike bush who will use you for cannon fodder or to kill innocent women and kids for oil.