I am sure flieger will assist you in easing your worries, but for the generic answer to why the folks are being interviewed, it is simple.
The ALO wants to feel you out...are you the pusher in the AFA application, are you opposed to him serving in the AF, are you curious about anything from the parental standpoint.
Our DS's ALO spoke to me over the phone, he was sneaky about it. He called for our DS, but landed up chit chatting with me for about 15 minutes. He said things, like this must be such an exciting yr for you, how are you feeling about the fact in a yr from now he would be at the AFA right now? Or I see his Dad's work number is on base, what does he do? Then it was the follow up with so DS always wanted to be in the AF to follow Dad's footsteps?
These questions may appear vague on the surface level, but just those few questions enlightened him about our DS's background and the family support.
For example my responses were...
1. I am fine with it because either way, AFA or AFROTC he will be leaving me anyway. It is up to him and them where he will land up practicing saluting for the next 4 yrs.
In other words, he has our support, but it is his decision because it is his life.
2. He knew that his Dad was a flyer because military base squadron phone numbers end with the squadron's unit number. What he was looking for was DS doing this because of Dad.
That is a large fear for some ALO's. They worry that the child has decided to do this because of parental involvement.
3. How long is also an answer to give them insight.
There is no right or wrong answer. I was straight up honest with him, and said he has wanted to be in the AF since 4th grade, but up until this past spring it was to become a JAG with attending Notre Dame for undergrad, and we had whiplash in April when he said I think I might want to go AFA and pilot instead.
Talking to the parents really is no big issue at all.
The one thing I would say to all parents, is to
remember the ALO is your shoulder and friend. They have the exact same goal as you do...getting them into the AFA. If they say something that upsets you, it is better that you hear it now and address it, then to play ostrich in the sand as if they are wrong. ALO's are trained by the AFA. They have seen many candidates over their career, so they can see something faster than even the GC at your hs.
The other thing about ALO's. This is a volunteer position. They have their 8-4 job and families on top of this duty. Additionally, realize that your child will not be their only candidate, they could easily have 10 other candidates too. Thus, it can take them a while to get back to you, unless your ALO has found a way to clone themselves so they can be multiple people simultaneously...if so, give out their name, because I am sure Flieger for one would pay for that operation
I also agree with CC, he may have been pushing him to see if your son really wanted it, and if he has thought this all through. Many candidates will respond, I want the AFA to fly fighters. Guess what, that can make some ALO's a little shaky since they know getting through the AFA is one thing, getting into UPT is another, graduating at the top of the class at UPT is still another. There are alot of hoops they go through to get there. Having the dream is great, but having plan B is also a very intelligent idea. To say, I know I will get it, because that's me and I won't quit is a very common response, yet flying fighters even out of the original 1600 cadets, probably only 150 of them will get one making it a statistical challenge. Whether or not they get fighters won't matter, because they will owe 5 yrs at least, the ALO wants to make sure they understand that not everyone who graduates from the AFA will become a fighter pilot, and he/she needs to make sure the candidate comprehends this aspect.
Additionally, he may be negative to see if he is going to say if I don't get an appointment, my intentions are to take an AFROTC scholarship. Or is he going to say, well I also applied to USCG, USNA, and USMA, I don't care which branch I serve as long as I can get an SA education. Again 2 different things...not saying that it is wrong to say, but there will be some like our DS that only wanted AF, and if he couldn't go AF, he would serve the country from a different manner. There will be many who still have yet to decide which branch because each one is unique, but all they know is they want to be in the military in some fashion or form. Both are admirable, but both show different aspects.
Most Importantly understand this yr will be a HUGE roller coaster ride. There will be good days and bad days, but we are all here to help you through it, because not one of us has forgotten the feeling we lived through with our kids. Trust me, you will really start to feel that feeling when you hold the envelope from your MOC, wondering is this going to be a jump for joy, or give them space moment.