Which reference should I choose for my DoD scholarship/internship application?

[ehilge]

Hey all, I'm applying for an scholarship/internship with the DoD at an air force facility. I have to submit two reference letters. One will be acadamic and I have that figured out. The second will be from one of two supervisors at my workplace where I am currently a co-op. The logical choice would be my primary supervisor who hired me and I have worked with since May. The other option is a supervisor in another department that I previously did not know well but I have worked with extensively for the last couple of weeks. He served in the Air Force, is still in the reserve and I think has a rank of lieutenant or something along those lines. I am certain that both people would write a positive reference letter for me. So my question is: even though I have not known him for as long or worked with him as closely, would the supervisor in the other department with an Air Force background be a better choice for a reference because he would have instant credibility with the people who are reviewing my application. Or does it make more sense to use the supervisor who knows me better but doesn't have the useful military background?
Thanks!

 

[jmason52]

As a DoD employee, I think I am safe in telling you to go with your primary supervisor. Basically, you're not applying for an internship in "air force", but in some career field that is most likely transferrable across DoD and the civilian world as well. Your primary supervisor has worked with you longer and has a much better grasp of how well you can perform doing that job. Besides, if he/she has worked for the air force for any length of time, they will know all the right buzzwords anyway. So, go forth and good luck!

 

[ehilge]

As a DoD employee, I think I am safe in telling you to go with your primary supervisor. Basically, you're not applying for an internship in "air force", but in some career field that is most likely transferrable across DoD and the civilian world as well. Your primary supervisor has worked with you longer and has a much better grasp of how well you can perform doing that job. Besides, if he/she has worked for the air force for any length of time, they will know all the right buzzwords anyway. So, go forth and good luck!

That's the way I'm leaning so its good to hear someone else mention it. I still think that regardless of where I was applying, it could be beneficial for a reference to be able to say something like, "I worked for Organization X for a long time and I think so and so would be a good fit because..." Also, to avoid any possible confusion, my primary supervisor hasn't ever worked for the air force, but I suppose is still likely capable of using appropriate buzz words.