Unassigned ALO?

JLamb4

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Mar 8, 2015
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I'm a Junior from GA and I'm applying for the class of 2020. I've been accepted to SS and my application is considered competitive. I recently tried to contact my ALO, but someone from GA "LOD" answered saying that my ALO recently retired. When will I get assigned a new ALO, and how should I get in contact with him?
 
I'm a Junior from GA and I'm applying for the class of 2020. I've been accepted to SS and my application is considered competitive. I recently tried to contact my ALO, but someone from GA "LOD" answered saying that my ALO recently retired. When will I get assigned a new ALO, and how should I get in contact with him?
Hey JLamb4, is your "retired" ALO Lt. Colonel William W. Petit? We may have had the same one.
 
The academy will automatically assign you a new one. You will see it on your portal so check back from time to time. Happened to me this year too. I changed ALO's three times.
 
If you reached the "LOD" you reached the "BIG BOSS" of the ALO's either in the entire state, or if the state is a divided one, of the ALO's under their command. LOD is the "Liaison Officer Director."

What really happens is that the LOD will go through his/her list of ALO's and determine which one is best suited, based upon locality, experience, time available, etc., and they will assign a new ALO to your school. USAFA doesn't do that; the LOD does. Then the LOD will call the ALO and let them know "you have a new school!" And if that ALO is like me, he or she will say something like "really?? I already have 23..." And then the LOD will notify USAFA/RRS that "ALO XXX is now assigned to school YYY." And that is when you will see it pop up on your screen.

Yes, ALO's are busy people! :)

Also...be advised...depending upon how many ALO's there are in your state, your ALO may not be "close." When I was a new ALO, all my schools were between 100-220 miles away. I traveled there at least twice a month...more if needed (I had VERY understanding employers). As an ALO "matures" they may "move" closer to home with schools, if that's possible. In some states (Wyoming is one, just ask Christcorp) the ALO will travel a LOT so be patient.

In the meantime if you have any questions, you can beam them to the LOD (they get all the schools assigned to them that don't have an ALO; the current LOD here probably has 50-60 schools as we transition new ALO's in) or you can beam them to me. I'll answer anything I can.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Hey JLamb4, is your "retired" ALO Lt. Colonel William W. Petit? We may have had the same one.
flieger83, thanks a lot. That really clears things up for me. I have another question: I am the youngest out of four brothers. My first brother graduated USAFA '14 and is now in UPT, my next brother is currently in USNA '18, and my third brother is attending the USCGA for the class of 2019. What goes through an ALO's mind when he/she hears that?

ultimatelife life: no... my ALO that retired was Col. Tyson Rhame.
 
When I have a candidate that has a "legacy" of academy people: parents, grandparents, siblings, etc., I have but two questions: Why do YOU want to attend USAFA? and then: "How will your family feel if you do NOT get selected?"

I had a candidate once, more than 10 years ago, that was almost perfect on paper. I went to the house for the interview; family was there. They "stayed close by" while I interviewed the candidate. Turned out father, his two brothers (uncles), both parents fathers, and back...about 6 generations of USMA, USNA, and now USAFA graduates. When I asked the mother: How do you feel about his decision, she actually looked at me askance and said something like "well...ALL the XXXXXX men serve our nation; and the academy is the logical starting point." His answers to all my questions were perfect (both parents smiling in the background). I stood to leave, he escorted me to the door and like a James Bond movie, shook my hand and passed me a note.

I read the note in the car...he wanted to meet me at school. So I did that and he told me he really did NOT want to go to USAFA; he wanted to study physics under a specific PhD professor at Stanford and he had a bunch of scholarships that would pay his way but he could NOT tell his folks; they wouldn't understand. I asked if they'd understand if he received a letter telling him how superb a candidate he was, how amazing the new class was, and that they just ran out of slots before he could be offered an appointment...that sorta thing. He said they would accept that; he'd tried his best.

So the folks at USAFA/RRS after hearing my story, said they'd take care of it and they did: he received one of the very last TWE's...which extolled his talents, etc...etc... His parents were sad but understanding; and off to Stanford he went!

I tell you this to illustrate the point: if your family is the reason you want to do this, it won't work. It must be YOUR call ALONE. If it is...then having the knowledge of "what it's like" from your siblings perspectives is a benefit in my eyes.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
When I have a candidate that has a "legacy" of academy people: parents, grandparents, siblings, etc., I have but two questions: Why do YOU want to attend USAFA? and then: "How will your family feel if you do NOT get selected?"

I had a candidate once, more than 10 years ago, that was almost perfect on paper. I went to the house for the interview; family was there. They "stayed close by" while I interviewed the candidate. Turned out father, his two brothers (uncles), both parents fathers, and back...about 6 generations of USMA, USNA, and now USAFA graduates. When I asked the mother: How do you feel about his decision, she actually looked at me askance and said something like "well...ALL the XXXXXX men serve our nation; and the academy is the logical starting point." His answers to all my questions were perfect (both parents smiling in the background). I stood to leave, he escorted me to the door and like a James Bond movie, shook my hand and passed me a note.

I read the note in the car...he wanted to meet me at school. So I did that and he told me he really did NOT want to go to USAFA; he wanted to study physics under a specific PhD professor at Stanford and he had a bunch of scholarships that would pay his way but he could NOT tell his folks; they wouldn't understand. I asked if they'd understand if he received a letter telling him how superb a candidate he was, how amazing the new class was, and that they just ran out of slots before he could be offered an appointment...that sorta thing. He said they would accept that; he'd tried his best.

So the folks at USAFA/RRS after hearing my story, said they'd take care of it and they did: he received one of the very last TWE's...which extolled his talents, etc...etc... His parents were sad but understanding; and off to Stanford he went!

I tell you this to illustrate the point: if your family is the reason you want to do this, it won't work. It must be YOUR call ALONE. If it is...then having the knowledge of "what it's like" from your siblings perspectives is a benefit in my eyes.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I've had the same experience, only my candidate called me after his interview to ask if I could "make him look bad on the report" so he would not be selected. I didn't do THAT, but I "helped" him out in ways that I could. It was so sad to me that he couldn't discuss his feelings with his parents.

When I have a candidate with parents/sibs who are academy grads, I really dig around to see who wants it most. Sometimes, it's not the kid- but they don't want to ruin the parents' dream. I get it because I have academy grads/a cadet of my own. I was very concerned each time that they felt pressure to please us.

Bottom line with me (and most ALOs, I think), great if your parent/grandparent/sib is a grad. It will get you a few extra points. However, I'm going to be scrutinizing you harder than my other candidates to make sure this is YOUR dream.

And I hear you on the 23 schools! (I had 34 at one point in time!!!)

Amy



 
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