I am planning on cross training from ALO. I am currently deployed and won't return to my homestation until April 2013. Two catches: I am stationed in Aviano and my squadron is closing in September. This means that I will be PCSing around that time frame. I am working to find a way to take my PAST while deployed and send my package in before I get back, which is a huge long shot considering our R&R just got pulled. I am wondering if this has ever happened before or if I am in a square corner. Will there be huge limitations if I cannot get a selection date before I am due to PCS?

pbonn,
Not sure where you could take the AFSOC Operator Eval that is required for STO Selection or who would administer it. Have you looked at the STO Selection Guide on this site? It is pretty current and will tell you all parts of the STO Selection Process and the dates you need to apply. I am not sure ALO is even releasing guys.
Read the STO Selection Guide and determine your COAs, then contact the STO Selection Officer listed in the guide to answer your questions.

Gentlemen,
Not to ressurect a dead topic...but as I am currently deployed and my unit is closing prior to the next selection cycle I was forced to get a little creative to make sure I could hit the deadline for STO phase I selection (today).
From what I could tell, my situation was pretty unique, but I wanted to give others atleast a means of meeting the guidlines of the STO application while being deployed.
The biggest hurdel I had was taking the PAST, as there is no pool here in Afghanistan, and my commander or supervisor could not administor it, I had to coordinate with the POC of the application to allow an Air Force PTL, after having read the standards, to administor the test. Next I had to gain approval all the way up the chain to allow for a quick trip to Al Udeid Air Base where they have a 25 meter pool (this was the most stressful). I had to supply a clear justification, outline hard travel plans and back up plans,and POCs at the command post for the coordination of a PTL. Then I had to gain signatures from every commander in my chain up to the CFACC.
I also depended on my homestation to supply the letter of reccomendation, and downloaded my records off AF PRDA.
For the official picture, I had a collegue send my service dress blues through the mail. I also ordered a pair online (threw down the money for a bit more security, ability to track the package, I thought of it as an investment incase anything should happen to the package my friend had sent). And lastly, I further coordinated with the POC of the application, and let him know of my situation and the unreliability of mail delivery while deployed, and was granted approval to take it in my deployed uniform...just trying to cover all my bases. As it turned out, the service dress came last night, and I was able to include the standard picture as outlined in the package.
Im writing all this, just in case there is anyone else out there who is deployed, or will be deployed and intends to cross train. There were a lot of moving parts and it did come down to the wire, but a lot of hard work went into making sure everything tipped in my favor. If anyone has any questions or if anything is unclear feel free to PM. Just know there are options, I dont know if there is an easier way, but this is the way I found.

The sad thing is a CFACC having to approve your short trip...

True enough, but the good part is, he did approve it

That is the bottom line! Now, having gone though all that, make sure to make it

Good luck.