Is there a waiver for ALS if I have the Army's leadership course completed?

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 13:44:19 -0400

I am currently in the AF reserves and am wondering if I can use the Army's BLC in lieu of ALS. If not, with the new changes made last year to ALS, do I have to complete the distance learning AND in residence ALS courses? Or is it either/or? Thanks in advance.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 8:38 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 20:38:39 -0400

AFI 36-2301 has the information you need, but it hasn’t been updated since 2013. Based on the way it is written, prior service members will attend AF PME for their assigned rank.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 9:28 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 21:28:01 -0400

I would proffer that taking ALS would be a great foundational block in addition to Army Leadership, not in lieu of. I transferred from Army to AF; I took ALS—worked out pretty well. ;)

If you can go in residence, I recommend it. But, you can complete ALS by correspondence. It’s not very lengthy yet very informative. Enroll in Air University and off you go!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 10:14 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 22:14:36 -0400

ALS's primary strength is the opportunity to network with different AFSCs, while the actual "leadership" aspect is, in my opinion, lacking. I'd suggest focusing on what you can take out of it rather than viewing it as just more PME.

The air force said you have to check the box, but they never told you you couldn't use the rest of the page too.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 9:57 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 21:57:22 -0400

I know airmen who came from the army who had nco training who only had to do a pme. They chose ncoa. However some did choose als. Not sure ig its up to your training betm.

Response by TSgt Dc W made Aug 10 at 2018 12:16 AM

TSgt Dc W — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 00:16:05 -0400

I had to complete ALS about a year before my retirement from Air Guard! I completed PLDC in Army in 1992. Then went to the Air Guard in 1994. PLDC was accepted and I completed (PLDC was good enough to substitute for ALS) Air Force NCO academy in 2001. I was out of the service (as E6) from 2002-2011. When I went back in there were only E-5 slots so I went back in as E-5. When an E-6 slot opened back up I was told that I needed to do ALS since I never did it. So I finally did in through correspondence just so I could put E-6 back on and retire at that rank (I already had the time in grade and I just had to get promoted to that rank again for retirement purposes).....totally ass-backward.