Air Force Recommendation Letter Template & Writing Guide

Are you writing a recommendation letter for someone who wants to join the Air Force? Whether you’re a commanding officer, teacher, coach, or another trusted individual, your letter can play a vital role in the applicant’s success.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with a template and tips for writing a strong letter of recommendation for the Air Force. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from formatting to content.

Before you begin writing, it’s important to understand the purpose of a letter of recommendation for the Air Force. This letter is not simply a character reference; it is a professional assessment of the applicant’s qualifications and potential for success in the Air Force.

Your letter should be well-written and error-free. It should also be concise and to the point. The Air Force admissions board is looking for specific information about the applicant, so make sure to include the following:

air force recommendation letter

When writing an air force recommendation letter, it’s important to keep the following 7 key points in mind:

• Content Structure: Follow a clear and logical structure.
• Format: Use a professional letter format.
• Length: Keep it concise, around 1-2 pages.
• Specific Examples: Provide specific examples of the applicant’s qualities.
• Quantify Accomplishments: Use numbers to quantify the applicant’s accomplishments.
• Proofread Carefully: Ensure your letter is error-free.
• Submit on Time: Meet the application deadline.

By following these tips, you can write a strong air force recommendation letter that will help the applicant stand out.

Content Structure: Follow a clear and logical structure.

Your letter should be organized in a clear and logical way. The following structure is recommended:

• Introduction

  Start by introducing yourself and your relationship to the applicant. State the purpose of your letter, which is to recommend the applicant for the Air Force.

• Body Paragraph 1

  In the first body paragraph, discuss the applicant’s academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Provide specific examples of the applicant’s leadership skills, teamwork abilities, and commitment to excellence.

• Body Paragraph 2

  In the second body paragraph, discuss the applicant’s personal qualities. Highlight the applicant’s integrity, motivation, and determination. Provide specific examples of how the applicant has overcome challenges and achieved their goals.

• Conclusion

  In the conclusion, summarize the applicant’s strengths and qualifications. Reaffirm your recommendation for the applicant and express your confidence that they will be a valuable asset to the Air Force.

By following this structure, you can write a clear and concise letter of recommendation that will highlight the applicant’s strengths and qualifications.

Format: Use a professional letter format.

Your letter should be formatted in a professional manner. This means using a standard letter format and font, and ensuring that your letter is free of errors.

• Use a standard letter format. This includes using a header that includes your name, address, and contact information, as well as a date line and salutation. The letter should also be single-spaced with one-inch margins on all sides.
• Use a professional font. Avoid using overly decorative or casual fonts. Instead, opt for a font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
• Proofread your letter carefully. Make sure that your letter is free of grammatical errors, spelling errors, and typos. You may want to have someone else proofread your letter before you submit it.
• Use a professional tone. Your letter should be written in a professional and respectful tone. Avoid using slang or colloquialisms. Instead, use formal language and be specific in your praise of the applicant.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your letter of recommendation is well-written and professional.

Length: Keep it concise, around 1-2 pages.

Your letter of recommendation should be concise and to the point. The Air Force admissions board is looking for specific information about the applicant, so don’t waste their time with unnecessary details.

A good rule of thumb is to keep your letter to around 1-2 pages. This will give you enough space to provide all of the necessary information without overwhelming the reader.

Here is a breakdown of how to allocate your space:

• Introduction: 1-2 paragraphs
• Body Paragraph 1: 2-3 paragraphs
• Body Paragraph 2: 2-3 paragraphs
• Conclusion: 1-2 paragraphs

By following this structure, you can write a concise and effective letter of recommendation that will highlight the applicant’s strengths and qualifications.

Remember, the admissions board is looking for specific information about the applicant. So, make sure to focus your letter on the applicant’s relevant skills and experience.

Specific Examples: Provide specific examples of the applicant’s qualities.

When describing the applicant’s qualities, be sure to provide specific examples. This will help the admissions board to understand the applicant’s character and abilities.

• Leadership: Describe a time when the applicant led a team or project. What were the results? How did the applicant demonstrate leadership skills?
• Teamwork: Describe a time when the applicant worked effectively as part of a team. What was the applicant’s role? How did the applicant contribute to the team’s success?
• Integrity: Describe a time when the applicant faced a difficult ethical decision. What did the applicant do? How did the applicant’s actions demonstrate integrity?
• Motivation: Describe a time when the applicant set a goal and worked hard to achieve it. What obstacles did the applicant overcome? How did the applicant’s motivation help them to succeed?

By providing specific examples, you can help the admissions board to see the applicant’s qualities in action. This will make your letter of recommendation more persuasive and will increase the applicant’s chances of being accepted into the Air Force.

Quantify Accomplishments: Use numbers to quantify the applicant’s accomplishments.

Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify the applicant’s accomplishments. This will help the admissions board to understand the scope and impact of the applicant’s achievements.

• Leadership: Quantify the applicant’s leadership experience. For example, you could mention the number of people the applicant led, the size of the budget they managed, or the number of projects they completed.
• Teamwork: Quantify the applicant’s teamwork experience. For example, you could mention the number of teams the applicant worked on, the size of the teams, or the number of projects the teams completed.
• Integrity: Quantify the applicant’s integrity. For example, you could mention the number of times the applicant has been trusted with confidential information or the number of times the applicant has been recognized for their ethical behavior.
• Motivation: Quantify the applicant’s motivation. For example, you could mention the number of hours the applicant has spent volunteering, the number of awards the applicant has won, or the number of goals the applicant has achieved.

By quantifying the applicant’s accomplishments, you can make your letter of recommendation more persuasive and can increase the applicant’s chances of being accepted into the Air Force.

Proofread Carefully: Ensure your letter is error-free.

Once you have finished writing your letter of recommendation, take some time to proofread it carefully. Check for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. You should also make sure that the letter is well-organized and easy to read.

• Grammar and spelling: Use a grammar and spelling checker to identify any errors. You can also ask a friend or colleague to proofread your letter.
• Punctuation: Make sure that all of the punctuation in your letter is correct. This includes commas, periods, and quotation marks.
• Organization: Make sure that your letter is well-organized and easy to read. Use headings and subheadings to break up the text and make it more readable.
• Formatting: Make sure that your letter is formatted correctly. This includes using a standard font and font size, and ensuring that the margins are correct.

By proofreading your letter carefully, you can ensure that it is error-free and professional. This will increase the applicant’s chances of being accepted into the Air Force.

Submit on Time: Meet the application deadline.

It is important to submit your letter of recommendation on time. The Air Force admissions board has a deadline for all application materials, and late submissions will not be considered.

• Check the deadline: The application deadline is typically in the fall. You can find the exact deadline on the Air Force website.
• Submit early: It is a good idea to submit your letter of recommendation early, even if the deadline is not approaching. This will give the admissions board time to review your letter and make a decision.
• Use a reliable delivery method: Make sure to use a reliable delivery method to submit your letter of recommendation. You can mail your letter, email it, or submit it through the Air Force website.
• Follow up: If you have not received a confirmation that your letter of recommendation has been received, follow up with the admissions board.

By submitting your letter of recommendation on time, you can increase the applicant’s chances of being accepted into the Air Force.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about writing a letter of recommendation for the Air Force:

Question 1: Who can write a letter of recommendation for the Air Force?
Answer: Anyone who knows the applicant well and can attest to their character and qualifications can write a letter of recommendation. This could include teachers, coaches, employers, mentors, or other trusted individuals.

Question 2: What should I include in a letter of recommendation for the Air Force?
Answer: Your letter should include information about the applicant’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities, leadership experience, teamwork skills, and personal qualities. You should also provide specific examples of the applicant’s strengths and accomplishments.

Question 3: How long should a letter of recommendation for the Air Force be?
Answer: Your letter should be concise and to the point, around 1-2 pages in length.

Question 4: What is the deadline for submitting a letter of recommendation for the Air Force?
Answer: The deadline for submitting a letter of recommendation for the Air Force is typically in the fall. You can find the exact deadline on the Air Force website.

Question 5: How do I submit a letter of recommendation for the Air Force?
Answer: You can submit your letter of recommendation by mail, email, or through the Air Force website.

Question 6: What are some tips for writing a strong letter of recommendation for the Air Force?
Answer: Some tips for writing a strong letter of recommendation include using specific examples, quantifying the applicant’s accomplishments, and proofreading your letter carefully.

Question 7: What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a letter of recommendation for the Air Force?
Answer: Some common mistakes to avoid when writing a letter of recommendation include using vague language, making unsubstantiated claims, and focusing on the applicant’s weaknesses.

By following these tips, you can write a strong letter of recommendation that will help the applicant stand out and increase their chances of being accepted into the Air Force.

Tips

Here are some tips for writing a strong letter of recommendation for the Air Force:

Tip 1: Use specific examples. When describing the applicant’s qualities, be sure to provide specific examples. This will help the admissions board to understand the applicant’s character and abilities.

Tip 2: Quantify accomplishments. Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify the applicant’s accomplishments. This will help the admissions board to understand the scope and impact of the applicant’s achievements.

Tip 3: Proofread carefully. Once you have finished writing your letter of recommendation, take some time to proofread it carefully. Check for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. You should also make sure that the letter is well-organized and easy to read.

Tip 4: Submit on time. It is important to submit your letter of recommendation on time. The Air Force admissions board has a deadline for all application materials, and late submissions will not be considered.

By following these tips, you can write a strong letter of recommendation that will help the applicant stand out and increase their chances of being accepted into the Air Force.

Remember, the admissions board is looking for specific information about the applicant. So, make sure to focus your letter on the applicant’s relevant skills and experience.

Conclusion

Writing a strong letter of recommendation for the Air Force is an important way to support an applicant’s application. By following the tips and advice in this article, you can write a letter that will highlight the applicant’s strengths and qualifications, and increase their chances of being accepted.

Remember, the admissions board is looking for specific information about the applicant. So, make sure to focus your letter on the applicant’s relevant skills and experience. Be sure to provide specific examples and quantify accomplishments whenever possible.

By taking the time to write a strong letter of recommendation, you can help the applicant take the first step towards a successful career in the Air Force.