ALO Invisible
- Thread starter SAorBUST
- Start date
SomeGaveAll
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- Jan 2, 2019
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- 89
I think so. Only contact my DS has had from his ALO was when ALO responded to DS's questions.
I am sure @flieger83 will chime in on this, but it really depends. I had a very involved USAFA ALO and a very uninvolved USNA BGO. They had different demands on their schedules, which allowed them to be interactive to varying degrees. I still occasionally see my ALO 8 years later when we are flying because he is an airline pilot and I travel quite a bit through the hub that he flies out of. It is fun to catch up, and a very interesting shift in dynamic when he tells you "you are cleared HOT to smack me if I start snoring" when we were sitting next to each other on the last leg home for the holidays. I would not be able to hold a conversation with my USNA BGO because we never had a connection outside of the official interview. It is up to the ALO as to how involved they want to be and have capacity to be because their only official responsibility is to conduct the interview and give an evaluation to USAFA. Some take it a step further and take more time to get to know their candidates better because they see value in that.
ringczar23
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- Feb 13, 2019
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DS’s ALO has been an instrumental part of the process and becoming a valuable mentor, life coach and resource during the entire process.
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- Jan 26, 2018
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- 151
I had a great ALO officer that was very engaging. The ALO answered all of my questions and helped me through the process.
As I got an appointment, my ALO officer helped signed paperwork and has helped me tremendously to prepare for my upcoming I Day.
As I got an appointment, my ALO officer helped signed paperwork and has helped me tremendously to prepare for my upcoming I Day.
BBBRRRTT
5-Year Member
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- Jun 25, 2018
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This time of the year there will be a temptation to bash on the ALO's if things are not going the way you expected them to go with your recruit. Take if from me, most of them go above and beyond. I learned the hard way, I fell to that temptation, and learned quickly, if you bash ALO's or others, you risk getting banned off this forum for six months or possibly for life. Tread lightly my friends. Embrace the good things in life.
Someone sharing their experience with an ALO that they felt was less than they think was necessary is bashing?
I asked the question for the reason I stated. I can't bash any ALO because my DS essentially had none, so no threat needed.
BBBRRRTT
5-Year Member
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Sorry, meant nothing bad to OP. As Homer Simpson would say D'oh!
Yes.
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- Nov 24, 2014
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- 508
Yes, it is normal. What was your expectation of your ALO or BGO? Did you share this with them. Remember they are volunteers. As a BGO I have met with many candidates and their families to help in any way possible. I do not contact them and say you need to do this or that. It is their responsibility to contact me with their questions or concerns.
That makes sense. It's been a while since we asked our 2 questions, so I don't recall exactly what they were, but we got no response.
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- Apr 9, 2017
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- 9,416
They are all as different as all humans are. Different styles. Different strengths/weaknesses. Different personalities. Just as teachers are different. Coaches are different. But they all are committed to their responsibilities and are there for you should you need assistance.
Old Navy BGO
10-Year Member
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- Jan 5, 2012
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I don't venture off the Navy Board often, but this one crosses party lines. First, as others have noted, we are all different. Some BGO's (and I presume ALO's) view the role as mentor or even advocate for the candidate. Some view the role as a recruiter, convincing good candidates to apply and /or accept appointment. I am neither -- at least for Navy, the role of the BGO is promoting awareness, counseling and helping candidates navigate the process., and interviewing. It's not my job to hold the candidate's hand, and we certainly aren't responsible for "getting him/her in" .
I respond to all inquiries promptly, but concur with Pattern -- aside from my initial contact to introduce myself or reaching out to schedule an interview if your package is near complete and I haven't heard anything from the candidate (HINT - BGO's have the ability to monitor progress, and candidate should be contacting the BGO to schedule the interview BEFORE package is complete, and certainly well before the Jan 31 deadline)- I let the candidate develop the relationship.
I respond to all inquiries promptly, but concur with Pattern -- aside from my initial contact to introduce myself or reaching out to schedule an interview if your package is near complete and I haven't heard anything from the candidate (HINT - BGO's have the ability to monitor progress, and candidate should be contacting the BGO to schedule the interview BEFORE package is complete, and certainly well before the Jan 31 deadline)- I let the candidate develop the relationship.
No it's not unusual to have an ALO be MIA. They are busy volunteers and might have other priorities. With the internet, you can find an answer to almost every question you could have. You can get in without their help. Here's a funny story. When my DD accepted her appointment, she sent a thank you note to the MIA ALO which then tipped him off to her acceptance. The ALO then sent an email to the dean of students at her school that read, ".....I've been working closely with Jane Doe to help get her an appointment to the USAFA...…" He even got her name wrong.
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<<<sigh>>>
I read every response above and they for the most part saddened me. I suppose I'm different, but I believe an ALO volunteered for a role that is very important: to mentor USAFA candidates and to assist them in their quest. When we interview an ALO candidate in my state, we make it crystal clear what our expectations of their role is. If they're not willing to put in the time required to serve as a valued mentor, then they're not the person we want: period.
When I hear that an ALO never contacted their candidate, never offered advice, encouragement, some of the "small little tidbits that make the process go smoother" then I believe I've heard of an ALO that shouldn't be an ALO. I don't care if they're airline pilots, engineers, sales reps, or what, they agreed to this role. The ALO's I've worked with in the past 24 years have all been dedicated to both the mission and their candidates. We've had airline pilots, reservists in flying and support roles, national guard members, an FBI agent, sales reps for international companies, and even a senior VP of a global consulting firm. All put in long hours...and then put in long hours as ALO's. They knew what they were getting into before we hired them, and they knew the expectations.
If you have an ALO and are unsuccessful in contacting them, or they simply aren't responding to you...there are several options to "open the channel." I have been involved several times with SA forum members that were unable to get a response from their ALO. I've been able to "connect them" every time. Amazing what can be done when one knows the system and how its supposed to work.
Okay...off my rant box.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
I read every response above and they for the most part saddened me. I suppose I'm different, but I believe an ALO volunteered for a role that is very important: to mentor USAFA candidates and to assist them in their quest. When we interview an ALO candidate in my state, we make it crystal clear what our expectations of their role is. If they're not willing to put in the time required to serve as a valued mentor, then they're not the person we want: period.
When I hear that an ALO never contacted their candidate, never offered advice, encouragement, some of the "small little tidbits that make the process go smoother" then I believe I've heard of an ALO that shouldn't be an ALO. I don't care if they're airline pilots, engineers, sales reps, or what, they agreed to this role. The ALO's I've worked with in the past 24 years have all been dedicated to both the mission and their candidates. We've had airline pilots, reservists in flying and support roles, national guard members, an FBI agent, sales reps for international companies, and even a senior VP of a global consulting firm. All put in long hours...and then put in long hours as ALO's. They knew what they were getting into before we hired them, and they knew the expectations.
If you have an ALO and are unsuccessful in contacting them, or they simply aren't responding to you...there are several options to "open the channel." I have been involved several times with SA forum members that were unable to get a response from their ALO. I've been able to "connect them" every time. Amazing what can be done when one knows the system and how its supposed to work.
Okay...off my rant box.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
Wow!
Excellent points. I chalked it up to them being busy, no disrespect, or older. No contact from the USMA or USAFA liaison. We always judge people as individuals, not as a group. To be honest, this site is more helpful than some people who you’d expect to be right in your corner.
Thank you to all those who continue their legacy of service. This is a provocative subject, I really wondered if my case was the exception or the norm.
Great story.