Letter of Introduction

[Sammy Sandbag]

Need some advice from our older/wiser members on introduction letters to gaining commanders. I had to write a few for practice in OBC, but they were just a check the box kind of deal. What kind of advice can you give? I plan to talk to the Sqdrn S1 before I send this off and see if the CO even expects/likes them. If anyone has some good examples, please attach them.

Thanks

[armynurseboy]

PM me a good e-mail addy and I will send you a copy of my latest letter of intro. IMHO it is a professional courtesy to send one out (as was advised to me both in OBC and OAC/CCC), and can give your new CO an idea of what kind of person you are. I would also include a CV as well.

[Birddog]

Sammy, PM me with your email... I'll shoot you one. Plus... make sure your DA Photo and ORB are up to date and online. Now that DAPMIS is up and running many commanders will have the S1 pull up your photo and ORB. They want to see if you keep your records up to date and what you look like...

[dbuntz]

Sammy,

I do believe it is good idea. If the Commander has two shiny butterbars to choose from for a PL slot - he's probably going to go with the one who took the time to do this drill.

Otherwise you could end up being the Asst. S-4 or the PL assigned to maint in D Co.

[Sassy05]

I think it's a good idea, too. I can't give you any tips on writing one though. Since I'm assigned to Fort Sill, I just went over to the unit I was assigned to and introduced myself to my commander. I think he appreciated it, and it gave the S-1 a heads up that I would be coming in soon.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Thanks for the responses. email addy: sandbag@aisforarmy.com


If the Commander has two shiny butterbars to choose from for a PL slot - he's probably going to go with the one who took the time to do this drill.

How bout a shiny silver bar? As far as I know, I'm the only LT headed there.

Don't have a DA photo up yet, since I haven't had to. But I'll be up for the next CPT board in the Fall I believe, so that's on my list of things to do.


I would also include a CV as well.

I'll claim ignorance, what's a CV?

[acedeuce]

Curriculum Vitae.

Fancy talk for a resume.

[armynurseboy]

Thanks for the responses. email addy: sandbag@aisforarmy.com

Don't have a DA photo up yet, since I haven't had to. But I'll be up for the next CPT board in the Fall I believe, so that's on my list of things to do.


I would do a DA photo at your earliest convienience. Until that is in, your file is incomplete and if a short notice board comes down, then you may have screwed yourself.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Thanks for the responses. email addy: sandbag@aisforarmy.com

Don't have a DA photo up yet, since I haven't had to. But I'll be up for the next CPT board in the Fall I believe, so that's on my list of things to do.


I would do a DA photo at your earliest convienience. Until that is in, your file is incomplete and if a short notice board comes down, then you may have screwed yourself.

Don't the boards convene in or around October?

[I274]

I plan to talk to the Sqdrn S1 before I send this off and see if the CO even expects/likes them.

Good idea about checking with the S1 before you do anything.

This is not something we did in my time, but when I was an S1 (a number of times), I'd always do my screening by the ORB to see the experience that the newbie had.

If you are right out of basic, there is nothing to look at (other than out of curiosity where you went to college); except in your case, the birds you can fly.
They should already have a plan for you. We usually knew a few months out who was coming and would program them for a slot.

Once you have a few assignments under your belt, they will know other people who know you and will already have an idea of who you are by the time you arrive.

What will make the most difference is your first impression. -- that you know how to wear a uniform, you are in shape, and you don't need 2 more weeks to get yourself squared away. -- That's probably the most challenging aspect of moving - getting an apartment/house and getting settled by the time your orders say to sign in.

Hopefully you have a sponsor by now. If not, that would be the first item on the agenda with the S1. Establish a good relationship with your sponsor and let him/her know your desires for housing so they can feed you a lot of info that you can use. Your sponsor can also give you a lot of intel on your assignment. (but take that with a filter.)

If there are a number of slots in the sqdn that are open to your grade, then it doesn't hurt to let the boss know what you would like to do. But no matter what you get, your goal is to be the best LT in the organization. You'll get selected for your next job depending on how well you do your current one.

[armynurseboy]

[quote="Sammy Sandbag":2q2oyqbu]Thanks for the responses. email addy: sandbag@aisforarmy.com

Don't have a DA photo up yet, since I haven't had to. But I'll be up for the next CPT board in the Fall I believe, so that's on my list of things to do.


I would do a DA photo at your earliest convienience. Until that is in, your file is incomplete and if a short notice board comes down, then you may have screwed yourself.

Don't the boards convene in or around October?[/quote:2q2oyqbu]

Yes, but as told to me by some O-5 and O-6's when I was a young LT: that boards for un-announced positions sometimes happen without the general population knowing about it. If your file is pulled for consideration, but deosn't have a photo, guess what - you're passed over.

[I274]

I wouldn’t worry about promotions…

‘been watching a trend over the past few years..

A quote from today’s column in the LA Times : "Basically, if you haven't been court-martialed, you're going to be promoted to major." (see today’s Early Bird, Army's Rising Promotion Rate Called Ominous)

But as ANB said, get your records in order. Once you sign into your new unit and have your unit patch on your uniform, make an appointment over at the photo shop and get your official photo. When you get promoted, get another photo. When you change assignments (units) get a photo. And when you get notified or know of a promotion board that is coming up, update your photo.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Yes, I've seen the promotion rates. ::lol::

As it is right now, the unit I'm headed to is in the process of redeploying, so I'm holding off on the call and letter till I can talk to someone other than rear D. I won't be eligible for O-3 till early '07.

BTW, where are those sample letters? Slackers...

[CombatCady]

Y'know, being as how he's getting Sammy and all, I'm not really sure if I'd call him a "gaining commander..."
;-)

[Skull6]

LOL. Philosophy lesson 101:

"He who controls the website controls CC's ability to post there as well."

Sammy, I might be able to get you an "advanced copy" of that patch for your uni, if you want it.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Sammy, I might be able to get you an "advanced copy" of that patch for your uni, if you want it.

?? You mean the 3ACR patch? They've got them here at clothing sales, plus my IP unloaded a few on me already. Thanks though.

[armynurseboy]

Sammy, I might be able to get you an "advanced copy" of that patch for your uni, if you want it.

?? You mean the 3ACR patch? They've got them here at clothing sales, plus my IP unloaded a few on me already. Thanks though.

I think I might have a couple extra "Bugs" if you need them (they're like twelve bucks at clothing sales!!!)

[Skull6]

(they're like twelve bucks at clothing sales!!!)

THAT's what I was getting at, before I remembered that you were a fly-boy & raking in that massive paycheck! ;-)

[Sammy Sandbag]

Well hell, I'll always welcome free stuff. I just didn't want you to think that I didn't have access to them here.

[Skull6]

LOL. I know better. I've been around...

[killernurse]

Could some of you non-nurse corps people either attach your letter of introduction or PM me with yours? I've got mine done and sent to my chief nurse, but am going to help one of my friends who is definately going somewhere not touchy-feely and want to make sure he doesn't look like an ass.

[PRM16Tiddle]

I'm looking for mine, but I cant seem to find it. if I do I'll send it....but knowing me it was probably nice and girly! lol

[Sammy Sandbag]

See attachment. It's not much, but there's not much to say when you're straight out of OBC. I never sent it because orders got cancelled and I ended up going someplace new.

[spaceCADETzoom]

I know this is the wrong thread, but ANB offering those 3acr "bugs" reminded me of a question.

I'm going to 3ACR as well. Is the DUI the same as the RDI? For class A/B, I understand the "bug" or RDI is to place on my left of my chest...but what goes on the shoulder loops of my class a? My buddy tells me not to worry about it ince the class a's are going away...but i figure i'm still wearing them for at least a year. Are there squadron specific dui? or do i put rdi on my shoulder loops between goldbar and button?

I couldn't find rdi at local px. They only had my acu patches. I bought them off ebay :) The other thing is that its harder to find patches for bdu's (rather than acu's)...I kinda wanted one set of bdu's because i like my branch insignia :)

Anyway, rdi/dui re: 3ACR?

[Associate289]

You mean it goes on the right side, on your chest, not your left...

[spaceCADETzoom]

right. right. oops.

[stingray185]

I know this is the wrong thread, but ANB offering those 3acr "bugs" reminded me of a question.

I'm going to 3ACR as well. Is the DUI the same as the RDI? For class A/B, I understand the "bug" or RDI is to place on my left of my chest...but what goes on the shoulder loops of my class a? My buddy tells me not to worry about it ince the class a's are going away...but i figure i'm still wearing them for at least a year. Are there squadron specific dui? or do i put rdi on my shoulder loops between goldbar and button?

I couldn't find rdi at local px. They only had my acu patches. I bought them off ebay :) The other thing is that its harder to find patches for bdu's (rather than acu's)...I kinda wanted one set of bdu's because i like my branch insignia :)

Anyway, rdi/dui re: 3ACR?


They are Regimental Crests, Squadrons don't have specific ones. Also, make sure you get rid of the "lawn mower" and get the "Headge- Clippers" before you show up. And when you switch to ACUs, just pin cross sabers on the underside of your collar.

[stingray185]

[quote="Sammy Sandbag":uly3hjf1]Thanks for the responses. email addy: sandbag@aisforarmy.com

Don't have a DA photo up yet, since I haven't had to. But I'll be up for the next CPT board in the Fall I believe, so that's on my list of things to do.


I would do a DA photo at your earliest convienience. Until that is in, your file is incomplete and if a short notice board comes down, then you may have screwed yourself.

Don't the boards convene in or around October?

Yes, but as told to me by some O-5 and O-6's when I was a young LT: that boards for un-announced positions sometimes happen without the general population knowing about it. If your file is pulled for consideration, but deosn't have a photo, guess what - you're passed over.[/quote:uly3hjf1]

Yeah but they maybe for jobs you don't want, so your call

[armynurseboy]

I know this is the wrong thread, but ANB offering those 3acr "bugs" reminded me of a question.

I'm going to 3ACR as well. Is the DUI the same as the RDI? For class A/B, I understand the "bug" or RDI is to place on my left of my chest...but what goes on the shoulder loops of my class a? My buddy tells me not to worry about it ince the class a's are going away...but i figure i'm still wearing them for at least a year. Are there squadron specific dui? or do i put rdi on my shoulder loops between goldbar and button?

I couldn't find rdi at local px. They only had my acu patches. I bought them off ebay :) The other thing is that its harder to find patches for bdu's (rather than acu's)...I kinda wanted one set of bdu's because i like my branch insignia :)

Anyway, rdi/dui re: 3ACR?

I think it depends on what your official regimental affiliation that is on your ORB. For example, mine is always remained AMEDD. So while I wore the 'Bug' DUI on my epaulets, my Reg Affiliation on my chest remained the AMEDD shield. I saw the same for the trans guys (wore bug on shoulders, trans regiment on chest) and other non CA guys. And wear out for green A's isn't for like another 6 years or so....

Squadrons tend to put their distinctive stuff on the earplug case (but with ACU, that might be going away too) and on the branch insig (ie 3 on top and squadron number below the sabers). BTW, start saving up for your Stetson. Them's mighty expensive..... ;-) :-x

[armynurseboy]

[quote="Sammy Sandbag":1s0oki0u]Thanks for the responses. email addy: sandbag@aisforarmy.com

Don't have a DA photo up yet, since I haven't had to. But I'll be up for the next CPT board in the Fall I believe, so that's on my list of things to do.


I would do a DA photo at your earliest convienience. Until that is in, your file is incomplete and if a short notice board comes down, then you may have screwed yourself.

Don't the boards convene in or around October?

Yes, but as told to me by some O-5 and O-6's when I was a young LT: that boards for un-announced positions sometimes happen without the general population knowing about it. If your file is pulled for consideration, but deosn't have a photo, guess what - you're passed over.

Yeah but they maybe for jobs you don't want, so your call[/quote:1s0oki0u]

If they are pulling files, then it's usually for highly exclusive jobs that you would be insane not to take. If they just needed a body for scut work, they'd have branch just fill it.

[killernurse]

Much love to Tiddle and Sammy. Appreciate it!

[Sammy Sandbag]

Thread revival time!

Looks like my orders are pretty solid at this point (ie I can't change them) so I'm sitting here writing my Letter of Introduction, having a hard time not sounding like a suck-up, yet still conveying my experience. I kept it short, just hitting the highlights. Since it looks like we lost all our examples, lets see some good ones. I wrote mine IAW AR 25-50's letter format (not memo.) Any advice is welcome, and if you'd like to see it let me know.

Also, I'm only aware of what brigade I'm going to at this point, so the letter is to the BDE CDR. Talked to the S-1 actual on Friday, and she said the easiest method was to scan and email her the copy, where she would print and hand carry to the commander.

[Jake the Skillet]

Let me look for a file I got from MCCC, and I'll email that.

[Cerebroden]

Sammy let me get a copy, I've got to write one up here soon and a skeleton would be nice to follow. Also if you've got the first one you sent shelved away somewhere that would be great. I'll PM you

[Sammy Sandbag]

Sammy let me get a copy, I've got to write one up here soon and a skeleton would be nice to follow. Also if you've got the first one you sent shelved away somewhere that would be great. I'll PM you

Actually this will be the first one I've written, my orders were changed and I had no idea what unit I was going to for my first assignment, so I never wrote one. I got some input from my CCC SGL, so I'll make some tweaks to this one before I put it up.

[Skull6]

They are Regimental Crests, Squadrons don't have specific ones...

What?! I've still got at least one 2/2 ACR insignia laying around somewhere. They've done away with those, too?!


And when you switch to ACUs, just pin cross sabers on the underside of your collar. Yeah, way to put it to "the Man"! ;)

[Matt.C]

I am getting ready to start writing my letter of intro to my gaining commander, anyone have some examples of good and or bad letters? Any advice would be appreciated, first time doing this. Thanks.

[Cerebroden]

Sammy has a good one, that's already edited.

advice: Don't sound like a douche when you right it

[Jake the Skillet]

Nice, a play on words.....

[Un4given]

Here's a sample letter of introduction Sammy sent me.

[ender64d]

Sir, would you mind reposting this letter? I'm unable to view it and would like some guidance on how to write a letter to my new commander. Nice apache btw.

[Sammy Sandbag]

The link above worked for me just now. Not sure why you are having issues.

Uploaded here as well: http://ge.tt/5jqXxpn

[ender64d]

The link above worked for me just now. Not sure why you are having issues.

Uploaded here as well: http://ge.tt/5jqXxpn

Got it, thanks!