How to address my ALO?

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laiboxer224

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As all of us candidates know, our ALO interview is the absolute most important interview of our entire lives. I have been talking with my ALO for roughly a year now and will finally have my interview to conducted this week. My ALO is an active Lt. Col., my question is whether to address him as colonel or the full lieutenant colonel.

I have read the questions in the usafa candidate guide and am wondering if there are any more questions I should be ready for, are there any that pretty much come up every single time.
 
colonel is fine

Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col). Rank insignia is a silver oak leaf. Pay grade is O-5. Terms of address are "Lieutenant Colonel" or "Colonel."


*just now realized that its a funny word to type*
 
I addressed my old ALO colonel when I first talked to him and he corrected me. So I would stick with calling him Lt. Colonel just to be safe.
 
You will find; at least in my opinion; that Ma'am or Sir is best. You might mention their rank once to signify that you are familiar with their rank, but after that; Ma'am or Sir. (Fleiger close your eyes for a minute)

Basic psych 101: Subconsciously, we all generally know when something is sincere or a canned response. If you say Colonel after each statement, it will sound like a canned response. Also; only do this for the first initial greeting "If you want". After that, the entire conversation should be answered with "SIR or Ma'am". You probably don't live with a military parent which you call by rank. Therefor, you are not accustomed to using rank. So, by using rank; more than once to acknowledge that you did some research; shows canned answers. HOWEVER: Using the words Sir and Ma'am often shows that it's something you NATURALLY say. Which shows that you have a NATURAL RESPECT for other people. And that you aren't just saying it as a canned response. And trust me; there are a LOT OF APPLICANTS; who walk in and answer; yup, uh huh, yes, nope, sure, etc... They use a lot of 1 syllable words. And many never say Sir or Ma'am. And while there's no laws; there is a subconscious understanding by the person receiving. (Listening). They will decide a lot based on such responses.


Now; in case you care. Lt. Colonel is also something no one generally would ever say. e.g. "Hello Lt. Colonel Smith". Written correspondence you can get away with it. But on the phone or in person, use the common ranks for all military personnel. e.g.

Address ALL airman as: "Airman". doesn't matter if they are AB, AMN, AIC, or SRA. "Hello Airman Smith"

Address ALL NCO's as: "Sergeant". Don't say; "Hello Master Sergeant Smith". Just say "Hello Sergeant Smith".

Same with Lieutenants, Colonels, and Generals. You don't say; "Hello 2nd Lieutenant Smith"; or "Hello Lieutenant Colonel Smith"; or "Hello Brigadier General Smith". Simply Lieutenant, Colonel, or General.

But there are some people who do get a little hung up on their rank. That is why the Sir/Ma'am method is so much better. If you know of a person who is rank conscious, deal with it. If not, the general ranks are most often used. But sir/ma'am is my suggested salutations. Especially once the interview starts.

(Fleiger; you can open your eyes now.) Cool.

Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck. Mike.....
 
yep, sir/maam is good. dont worry about their rank, you arent in the military yet
 
Christcorp said:
You will find; at least in my opinion; that Ma'am or Sir is best. You might mention their rank once to signify that you are familiar with their rank, but after that; Ma'am or Sir. (Fleiger close your eyes for a minute)

Basic psych 101: Subconsciously, we all generally know when something is sincere or a canned response. If you say Colonel after each statement, it will sound like a canned response. Also; only do this for the first initial greeting "If you want". After that, the entire conversation should be answered with "SIR or Ma'am". You probably don't live with a military parent which you call by rank. Therefor, you are not accustomed to using rank. So, by using rank; more than once to acknowledge that you did some research; shows canned answers. HOWEVER: Using the words Sir and Ma'am often shows that it's something you NATURALLY say. Which shows that you have a NATURAL RESPECT for other people. And that you aren't just saying it as a canned response. And trust me; there are a LOT OF APPLICANTS; who walk in and answer; yup, uh huh, yes, nope, sure, etc... They use a lot of 1 syllable words. And many never say Sir or Ma'am. And while there's no laws; there is a subconscious understanding by the person receiving. (Listening). They will decide a lot based on such responses.


Now; in case you care. Lt. Colonel is also something no one generally would ever say. e.g. "Hello Lt. Colonel Smith". Written correspondence you can get away with it. But on the phone or in person, use the common ranks for all military personnel. e.g.

Address ALL airman as: "Airman". doesn't matter if they are AB, AMN, AIC, or SRA. "Hello Airman Smith"

Address ALL NCO's as: "Sergeant". Don't say; "Hello Master Sergeant Smith". Just say "Hello Sergeant Smith".

Same with Lieutenants, Colonels, and Generals. You don't say; "Hello 2nd Lieutenant Smith"; or "Hello Lieutenant Colonel Smith"; or "Hello Brigadier General Smith". Simply Lieutenant, Colonel, or General.

But there are some people who do get a little hung up on their rank. That is why the Sir/Ma'am method is so much better. If you know of a person who is rank conscious, deal with it. If not, the general ranks are most often used. But sir/ma'am is my suggested salutations. Especially once the interview starts.

(Fleiger; you can open your eyes now.) Cool.

Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck. Mike.....
Click to expand...
:biglaugh:
Oh we're ALL about our rank and ego's. At least that's what I was always told when at the bar in my green bag after a 2v2, shooting down the rolex... :shake:

But you're absolutely correct. I've had people call me "Lt Col" and "Col" and "Sir" and all are just fine.

And I even had my eyes open when typing this!
(See, no typos!:thumb:)

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
And then there are the parents that just mess up everything!!!

My son's ALO called for the FIRST time and the Caller ID read (changing names to protect the innocent) Taylor, H. Well my niece is Talyor Hunt so I, ofcourse answer the phone: "Well, hello Taylor H!"

dead silence.

'Oh my goodness, this is Henry Taylor, not my niece Taylor Hunt, isn't it?'

He corrected me that he was Lt Col Henry Taylor and then we did have a good laugh once or twice through out our conversation.

Just shoot me, I've completely ruined my kids chances for USAFA!!!:yllol:
 
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