Upon the advice of '69 USAFA grad who graduated son's from USAFA & USMA we have reached out to the other SA's as well. One of the first things he told me was the ALO's are pretty much non-existent, and I have since learned that first hand having reached out numerous times to no avail. We still bleed blue, and our first choice is USAFA, but I've gotten more help/support here on the forum. I don't think your ALO has the exclusive, from what I gather that's just the way they are. I will say that USMA, & USNA BGO both responded back to us within hours. For now, we're keeping our options open.
I have to be careful here as I’m not only a member but I’m also a moderator. That being said, I’m now taking off my moderator hat and putting on my ALO hat.
ALO’s are not non-existent. I’m sorry my fellow graduate had such an experience and has such a low opinion of the fine men and women that serve as ALO’s. And yes, I realize that some ALO’s are more responsive than others and that can be a source of frustration to anyone. I get that.
So let’s discuss what an ALO is. They’re pretty much like B&GO’s and FFR’s and the like: they’re 100% volunteers. I can’t speak for any of the other programs with authority, but I can when discussing the ALO program. The ALO program consists primarily of two types of ALO: the retiree and the Category E reservist. There are others but they’re in small numbers (active duty members volunteering on their off time, and active reservists/guardsmen volunteering) when compared to the total force.
The category “E” reservist is a volunteer for a military job that is for no pay. Category E reservists receive no pay, they simply record “points” for service. They are required to achieve a specific number of points for a “good year.” A good year counts toward their military retirement. Reservists and guardsmen can retire and upon reaching age 60 they receive their retirement benefits of pay and medical. The pay is far less than an active duty member receives but it’s still something. Because this is the process, the majority of ALO’s have primary jobs in some industry (I’ve been a pilot, engineer at a global firm, and I now teach high school). A large number of ALO’s are commercial airline pilots. They’re gone for days or weeks at a time and when they return, that’s when they can do ALO duties. And it goes on and on…
Why do I say all this? Because I think folks need to know that being an ALO is a challenge. My wife has asked “When are you going to STOP this???” for many years because of the amount of time it takes. My answer is always “when I no longer enjoy it or feel I am useful.” That’s how is “should” be with every ALO but I’m not naïve, there are those that don’t put in enough time IMHO.
So…if you have an ALO assigned to a candidate and you can’t reach them, here are the steps to take:
1. E-mail and phone
2. If no response in a week, contact the state director (LOD) and ask for assistance
If none of this works…you contact me with your school and location, and I’ll find the ALO and reach out to them and the state director and we’ll get the situation resolved. In the meantime, I’ll assist any way I can.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83