How to find ALO

CChitwood

New Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2023
Messages
4
I have tried to search everywhere on google, but I can't find anything that gives me any clue on where to find out who my ALO is. Can someone please help me? I live in the Huntsville, Alabama area.
 
I'd like to ask some questions to my ALO before I apply.
Since your ALO likely won’t be known until you have applied and been granted portal access, try researching your questions by doing foundational work. If you haven’t read every page, link, drop-down or hamburger menu on the USAFA website, that is the place to start your legwork. Many FAQs are there.

Or, you could try asking questions here if you can’t find the answer at the USAFA site. It’s unofficial, but there is a lot of experience here.
 
Since your ALO likely won’t be known until you have applied and been granted portal access, try researching your questions by doing foundational work. If you haven’t read every page, link, drop-down or hamburger menu on the USAFA website, that is the place to start your legwork. Many FAQs are there.

Or, you could try asking questions here if you can’t find the answer at the USAFA site. It’s unofficial, but there is a lot of experience here.
The issue is I have a couple of the medical problems that could DQ me if I don't do something about my current treatment for it. I need to talk to someone personally to get the specifics about each situation. And I need to know the information before I begin my application because some of the issues are time-sensitive.
 
The issue is I have a couple of the medical problems that could DQ me if I don't do something about my current treatment for it. I need to talk to someone personally to get the specifics about each situation. And I need to know the information before I begin my application because some of the issues are time-sensitive.
Now that I see @flieger83 has arrived on station, I’ll defer to him. I do not believe ALOs get involved in medical matters.

You can start your research on that process by going to the DoDMERB website below and working your way through every item on the left-hand side, including contacts. You don’t have to have a log-in.


Every service academy candidate goes through the DoDMERB process to determine if they meet-don’t meet the accession standard, see link below. Many get DQs and find themselves in the waiver process. The SA will initiate a waiver request per their policy.

 
The issue is I have a couple of the medical problems that could DQ me if I don't do something about my current treatment for it. I need to talk to someone personally to get the specifics about each situation. And I need to know the information before I begin my application because some of the issues are time-sensitive.
Your ALO won’t be able to answer these questions.
 
The issue is I have a couple of the medical problems that could DQ me if I don't do something about my current treatment for it. I need to talk to someone personally to get the specifics about each situation. And I need to know the information before I begin my application because some of the issues are time-sensitive.
Hi!

Okay, just an FYI in case you don't know; I am an ALO.

We can answer a WHOLE LOT of questions about the application process, the fitness requirements, academics, you name it.

What we CAN NOT and WILL NOT attempt to answer are medical questions. That is solely the purview of DODMERB.

And it makes sense. I had some medical issues when I applied. DODMERB looked at them and said: "you're good!" I had a friend with "the same thing" and he was DQ and no waiver. Was it the "same thing?" The answer, clearly, is no. Every individual's medical history/issue/situation is different. My father was a USAF flight surgeon. The best he could tell me was: "I think you're okay but...I'm not in accessions..."

The requirements DOD has for "officer accessions" (and all other areas of accessions) regarding medical readiness are, put bluntly, very convoluted to the outsider. However, there is a plan/purpose behind them. And in the end, theirs are rules we must live by.

So, don't expect an ALO to answer your questions. If it's really tearing you up...you can speak with an officer recruiter in a recruiting station and lay out your situation. They "may" call their local MEPS medical team to get a preliminary "guess" but again, THIS IS A GUESS; it's not DODMERB.

If you were one of my candidates, here's what I would tell you:

1. Press full-speed ahead with the plan to attend the SA
2. Put together an amazing "Plan B" in case the SA doesn't happen
3. Put together an even more amazing "Plan C" for a career field in the "non-military" sector that mirrors that which you'd like in the military.
4. CRUSH ALL OF IT!!

If all goes amazing, you never get past step 1. If not, you have a great plan in place to move forward.
Perfect case in point...today I went to a drill meet in Phoenix. One of my good friends told me of his niece. She wasn't able to get into the USAF due to, yes, medical reasons. So she went to a good university, earned a degree in "something computer/satellite communication/programming" (I can't remember the real name, it's very techy), and recently was hired, wait for it, by the US Space Force to work in pretty much the same job she wanted to go into as an officer. Oh, FYI...she's 25 and is a GS12 (I called to get this correct). That's pretty awesome for a young person!!

The options are only limited by desire and grit.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Hi!

Okay, just an FYI in case you don't know; I am an ALO.

We can answer a WHOLE LOT of questions about the application process, the fitness requirements, academics, you name it.

What we CAN NOT and WILL NOT attempt to answer are medical questions. That is solely the purview of DODMERB.

And it makes sense. I had some medical issues when I applied. DODMERB looked at them and said: "you're good!" I had a friend with "the same thing" and he was DQ and no waiver. Was it the "same thing?" The answer, clearly, is no. Every individual's medical history/issue/situation is different. My father was a USAF flight surgeon. The best he could tell me was: "I think you're okay but...I'm not in accessions..."

The requirements DOD has for "officer accessions" (and all other areas of accessions) regarding medical readiness are, put bluntly, very convoluted to the outsider. However, there is a plan/purpose behind them. And in the end, theirs are rules we must live by.

So, don't expect an ALO to answer your questions. If it's really tearing you up...you can speak with an officer recruiter in a recruiting station and lay out your situation. They "may" call their local MEPS medical team to get a preliminary "guess" but again, THIS IS A GUESS; it's not DODMERB.

If you were one of my candidates, here's what I would tell you:

1. Press full-speed ahead with the plan to attend the SA
2. Put together an amazing "Plan B" in case the SA doesn't happen
3. Put together an even more amazing "Plan C" for a career field in the "non-military" sector that mirrors that which you'd like in the military.
4. CRUSH ALL OF IT!!

If all goes amazing, you never get past step 1. If not, you have a great plan in place to move forward.
Perfect case in point...today I went to a drill meet in Phoenix. One of my good friends told me of his niece. She wasn't able to get into the USAF due to, yes, medical reasons. So she went to a good university, earned a degree in "something computer/satellite communication/programming" (I can't remember the real name, it's very techy), and recently was hired, wait for it, by the US Space Force to work in pretty much the same job she wanted to go into as an officer. Oh, FYI...she's 25 and is a GS12 (I called to get this correct). That's pretty awesome for a young person!!

The options are only limited by desire and grit.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
Brilliant.
 
And I need to know the information before I begin my application because some of the issues are time-sensitive.
Why? There isn’t likely any change to treatment you could make at this point that would matter. the drugs prescribed for mental health issues generally have a three year look back period, other types of health issues are already there and you should pursue the best treatment available. Press ahead and follow flieger83 advice.
 
My recommendation is to apply. What do you have to lose? Best case, you are appointed. Worst case, you aren't.

If you don't apply, the answer is ALWAYS "no appt."

You may not get an answer to your medical questions until you have filled out the medical survey & had the exam. As flieger83 said, the whole medical waiver process can be convoluted, but there is a method & reason to the madness.
 
Hi!

Okay, just an FYI in case you don't know; I am an ALO.

We can answer a WHOLE LOT of questions about the application process, the fitness requirements, academics, you name it.

What we CAN NOT and WILL NOT attempt to answer are medical questions. That is solely the purview of DODMERB.

And it makes sense. I had some medical issues when I applied. DODMERB looked at them and said: "you're good!" I had a friend with "the same thing" and he was DQ and no waiver. Was it the "same thing?" The answer, clearly, is no. Every individual's medical history/issue/situation is different. My father was a USAF flight surgeon. The best he could tell me was: "I think you're okay but...I'm not in accessions..."

The requirements DOD has for "officer accessions" (and all other areas of accessions) regarding medical readiness are, put bluntly, very convoluted to the outsider. However, there is a plan/purpose behind them. And in the end, theirs are rules we must live by.

So, don't expect an ALO to answer your questions. If it's really tearing you up...you can speak with an officer recruiter in a recruiting station and lay out your situation. They "may" call their local MEPS medical team to get a preliminary "guess" but again, THIS IS A GUESS; it's not DODMERB.

If you were one of my candidates, here's what I would tell you:

1. Press full-speed ahead with the plan to attend the SA
2. Put together an amazing "Plan B" in case the SA doesn't happen
3. Put together an even more amazing "Plan C" for a career field in the "non-military" sector that mirrors that which you'd like in the military.
4. CRUSH ALL OF IT!!

If all goes amazing, you never get past step 1. If not, you have a great plan in place to move forward.
Perfect case in point...today I went to a drill meet in Phoenix. One of my good friends told me of his niece. She wasn't able to get into the USAF due to, yes, medical reasons. So she went to a good university, earned a degree in "something computer/satellite communication/programming" (I can't remember the real name, it's very techy), and recently was hired, wait for it, by the US Space Force to work in pretty much the same job she wanted to go into as an officer. Oh, FYI...she's 25 and is a GS12 (I called to get this correct). That's pretty awesome for a young person!!

The options are only limited by desire and grit.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
Thank you for the advice.
 
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