Requesting Recommendation Letters for Military College - Any Tips?

Hey everyone, I've got my sights set on a military college for my next step post-high school. Any suggestions about what specific qualities or experiences to highlight when requesting recommendation letters for admission into a military college? What makes a candidate stand out in this context?

The process of requesting recommendation letters for military college isn't vastly different from that for regular colleges, but there are specific aspects that admission officers at military colleges pay closer attention to. Here are the main qualities and experiences you might want to highlight:

1. Leadership Skills: This is one of the most critical aspects for a military college application. You should request a recommender who has seen you lead in some capacity. They should highlight your ability to inspire, motivate, and guide others.

2. Physical Fitness/Endurance: For military colleges, physical fitness isn't just beneficial, it's required. Your recommender can mention your involvement and perseverance in sports or physically-demanding extra-curricular activities to indicate that you can handle the physical rigors.

3. Teamwork: As a member of the military, you're constantly working as a part of a team. Good experiences to highlight here are instances where you have joined forces with others to achieve a goal or overcome a challenge.

4. Discipline and Time Management: Military training requires discipline, and managing a taxing academic load alongside physical training requires excellent time management. Highlight experiences which show your dedication and the ability to balance multiple tasks efficiently.

5. Resilience and Adaptability: These skills are incredibly important in a military context. Mention experiences where you have bounced back from setbacks or adapted to changes, as they reflect your resilience and adaptability.

6. Sense of Service: Military schools look for applicants with a demonstrated commitment to serving others. Your recommender should mention any service-related endeavors, such as community service clubs, disaster relief efforts, or volunteering activities that you have been part of.

To make the request, approach recommenders who know these aspects of you well and who can provide specific instances that demonstrate these qualities. Just like with any other letter of recommendation, give them enough time, share your plans and why you are interested in military college, and thank them for their time in writing your letter. It's good practice to provide them with a resume or list of your activities/experiences to help them write a detailed and specific letter.