Suspense for applications: 12 October 2012

1. The Air Force is seeking highly motivated candidates who are interested in becoming a 13L ALO. Applications are now being accepted. Candidates who are selected this cycle will attend Phase II ALO Aptitude Assessment (AAA) scheduled for 10-14 December at Moody AFB, GA. This announcement is for ROTC and USAFA cadets who are graduating in 2013 and 2014, USAF cross flow officers, Inter-Service Transfer (IST) Candidates, and ANG/AFRES officers who wish to be recalled to active duty. 1C4XX OTS candidates may apply for the Air Force OTS board (see pp 3.d below for more info).

2. Suspense for applications: 12 October 2012. Email applications to: PM TE WITH OFFICIAL EMAIL ADDRESS IF YOU NEED THIS INFORMATION.

3. Eligible categories:

a. USAF active duty officers. We will accept applications from officers who have met the AFPC non-rated line officer crossflow board as well as any interested officers who have been released by their functional manager (this is the first step, you must get released from your AFSC, I cannot help you with this). Officers must be non-rated, rank of 2LT through Major, and less than eleven years TAFCS by the date they start Phase II. One year Time on Station (TOS) is required prior to PCS, however in most cases the officer will attend 13L TDY from his current duty location, which reduces the impact of the TOS requirement.

b. ROTC and USAFA cadets in their junior or senior year. In order to allow cadets sufficient time to obtain an alternate AFSC we will now allow cadets to apply in their junior year. All ROTC and USAFA candidates who have been selected for an AFSC must be released to compete for 13L ALO by AFPC/DPSIP. You won’t lose your current AFSC unless/until you successfully complete AAA.

c. Inter-service Transfers (IST) and ANG recall to active duty. Both programs are currently suspended, and an Exception To Policy (ETP) is required. We will still accept applications and work with you to get the ETP, but there is no guarantee that ETP will be granted. Preference is given to ROTC and USAFA candidates over ANG and IST.

d. OTS applicants. Due to the normalization of the 13L selection process, OTS candidates now apply through the general OTS non-rated selection board. Indicate your preference for 13L AFSC on the application. OTS candidates MUST be a current or prior 1C4.

Send OTS application packages to: PM TE WITH OFFICIAL EMAIL ADDRESS IF YOU NEED THIS INFORMATION.

4. Eligibility requirements:

a. Must be a volunteer for hazardous duty.
b. Must be able to attend Phase II AAA, as scheduled. Candidates who are unable to attend the Phase II may be rescheduled if slots are available in a later Phase II.

c. Must meet medical standards for Ground Based Controller (GBC) duty IAW AFI 48-123 FOR 13LX AIR LIAISON DUTY (CURRENT AF FORM 422 OR AF FORM 1042). NOTE: Due to a policy change, AFROTC will no longer fund travel for cadets to take physicals before classification. Therefore, those cadets who are unable to obtain their GBC physical prior to AAA due to the AFROTC policy change may defer obtaining the physical until after classification. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS STILL MUST OBTAIN THE GBC PHYSICAL OR EQUIVILANT PRIOR TO PHASE II. This means that any applicant who has local access to a flight surgeon must obtain their GBC prior to Phase II. Applicants who are unable to obtain the GBC physical prior to Phase II must provide a DoD MERB physical or equivalent. Those candidates who are selected at Phase II without a GBC physical must obtain one prior to commissioning and entering the 13L training pipeline.

d. Must be eligible for a Top Secret security clearance. If selected at Phase II the candidate must immediately apply for a TS clearance in order to enter the training pipeline.

5. The 13L selection process has two phases:

a. Phase I- records review. Candidates for 13L ALO apply via the ALO candidate application package. Application packages will be reviewed and applicants who are selected will continue on to Phase II.

b. Phase II- ALO Aptitude Assessment (AAA). Approximately 40 candidates will undergo five days of activity that will test their physical and leadership abilities. Candidates will be evaluated to determine suitability for 13L duty. The AAA is a challenging program with multiple scenarios and exercises introducing stress into challenging leadership evaluations. To best prepare for the physical and mental rigors of AAA and the 13L AFSC, prospective candidates should be in top physical condition prior to attending AAA. 13L is a volunteer career field; as such, applicants may remove themselves from consideration at any time.

c. It is highly encouraged that prospective candidates contact a 13L mentor or the Career Field Manager to learn more about the application process, the AAA and ALO duties. Mentor names and contact information are provided on the AF PORTAL TACP ALO COP SITE, under the 13L Information, Career Field Information subsection. There are mentors available who have gone through each of the 13L accession methods, so they will be able to assist the application through many likely scenarios.

** Note on Phase II priority: If applicants exceed slots, first-time AAA candidates will have priority over those who are repeating AAA.

6. ALO Phase I Application Packages must contain the following:

a. ALO Application Spreadsheet: Fill in the spreadsheet and include as an attachment with your package.

b. ALO candidate summary sheet:

1) USAFA cadets must obtain Air Officer Commanding (AOC) and Group AOC (no higher) endorsement in block 15 and 16 of the ALO candidate summary sheet.

2) AFROTC cadets must obtain Commandant of Cadets (COC) and detachment Commanders endorsement in block 15 and 16 of the ALO candidate summary sheet. Officers should obtain squadron and group commander (or equivalent) endorsement in block 15 and 16 of the ALO candidate summary sheet.

c. Memorandum of release from AFSC (n/a for ANG recall, Inter-Service Transfer, and OTS). The functional manager at AFPC must release the applicant from their current AFSC to compete for 13L. This is a prerequisite to compete for 13L, all applicants still must complete the two phase selection process. Note: All USAFA/ROTC cadets who have been classified MUST obtain a release from AFPC to apply for 13L ALO.

d. Hazardous duty volunteer statement.

e. Current physical. May be any one of the following: AF Form 422, AF form 1042, or pre-enlistment physical such as DoDMERB (ROTC and USAFA only). Only cadets who do not have access to a local flight surgeon are exempt from obtaining the Ground Based Controller physical for Phase I. All other applicants must submit a 1042 or 422 stating that the applicant meets the physical requirements for Ground Based Aircraft Controller Duties. Waivers, if applicable, should be clearly stated on the 422/1042/2808 or on an accompanying memorandum. If waiver decisions are pending AETC/SGPS coordination, this should be stated on a memorandum included with the application. OTS applicants must include AF FM 422 with the mandatory statement below:

“Based on full record review member is medically qualified for continued enlistment, commissioning and cleared for worldwide duty in AFSC 13L1, Air Liaison Officer; and does not have an ALC or is in the process of a medical evaluation board (MEB). Member has/has not had PRK or Lasik surgery. Surgery date was on _____________,” (if applicable).

f. Applicant profile (resume)

g. Copies of all US Army training certificates or diplomas. Documentation of completion of any Army formal training course (Airborne, Pathfinder, Ranger, etc), if applicable.

h. Last three OPRs/EPRs Training/field training reports are acceptable if the candidate has not received OPRs.

i. Scan and email completed ALO candidate application packages to: PM TE WITH OFFICIAL EMAIL ADDRESS IF YOU NEED THIS INFORMATION.

7. Applicants will be notified of their Phase I selection and scheduled for Phase II AAA promptly following the application deadline.

a. Upon successful completion of Phase II, selectees will be scheduled for the 13L training pipeline. You must apply for a Top Secret security clearance immediately upon completion of Phase II to avoid any delays in training. New accessions to the Air Force (ROTC/USAFA, ANG recalls, Inter-Service-Transfers) will initially PCS to their duty location, then attend training in a TDY status. Cross flow officers will attend TDY from their current duty location, then PCS to the first 13L duty station. 13L training begins with the ALO Prep Course, followed by Air Liaison Officer Basic Course (ALOBC) at Hurlburt Field, FL; Air Liaison Qualification Course (ALOQC) at Nellis AFB, NV; Air Force SV-80 Survival School at Fairchild AFB, WA.

b. Based on training availability, there may be delays in entering training and breaks in training between pipeline courses. Officers are expected to maintain their physical fitness levels during any training delays.

8. If interested, please discuss this opportunity with your commander. Candidates are also encouraged to contact a current 13L ALO for mentoring and to become familiar with the duties and responsibilities of an ALO. 13L mentors are listed in a spreadsheet on the ACC Portal site.

9. Applicants are reminded to review AFI 33-332, Privacy Act Program: (1) Chapter 7, in particular paragraph 7.3, Sending Personal Information over Electronic Mail; (2) Using Privacy Act Labels, paragraph 10.2.2; and (3) Chapter 12, Disclosing Records to Third Parties. Also review DoD 5400.7-R/AF Sup, DoD Freedom of Information Act Program, Chapter 4, FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY and paragraph C4.2.1, Location of Markings. Please ensure you take appropriate action to protect any PRIVACY ACT or personal identifying information prior to forwarding your application.

I'm interested in the ALO career field, but it is difficult to get accurate information on the day to day duties of an ALO. Do ALOs get to be in the field as much as the JTACs, or are they often back in the JOC? Also, what is the process of track selecting between the ASOC track and the JTAC track? Thanks in advance for the help.

Joel

wjoels,
ALOs, like all Officers, will spend more time at administrative tasks than Enlisted members with similar AFSC/duties. JTAC refers to a person rated to perform a class of duties (Joint Terminal Attack Control duties), it is not an actual AFSC. A Combat Controller, Special Tactics Officer, ALO and Tactical Command and Control Specialist (TACP) can all get their JTAC ratings and perform JTAC duties so it doesn't make sense to compare an ALO to a "JTAC".

ALOs definitely spend more time in the JOC/TOC than the enlisted TACPs but get out to the field a lot as LTs and Captains. Like all Officers, they begin assuming more staff and desk duties as they go up in Rank and will not operate much from Major on up.

Please search the forums for the difference between CCT and STO and/or the difference between PJ and CRO. The difference between TACP and ALO will be similar.

I'm an ROTC cadet interested in the ALO career. I've just seen the Fall 2012 Selection Announcement and had a few questions. Since I'm in my Junior year of school, will I also have the availability to apply in my Senior year? Also, do they only do one call for selections a year, or is there also say, a spring selection announcement? Thanks

AStrike, I'm same year as you, waiting on hearing about the December selection. All my research as pointed towards them doing two a year. I also read there was one over the summer at the USAFA, but I don't know if that was technically the spring assessment or another.

As for applying your senior year, that is doable. You can even apply as active duty, you just need a waiver of release from your AFSC (which you might need if you were to apply later in senior year).