Posted on Mar 20, 2018
Is there a waiver for ALS if I have the Army's leadership course completed?
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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.
Posted in these groups: 
Prior Service
Airman Leadership School (ALS)
Prior Service Airman Leadership School (ALS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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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!
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!
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LTC Stephen C.
All is well, CMSgt (Join to see)! With the Presidential election behind us, RP has become more tame and tolerable, and the religious wars have also moderated! I mostly just read what others have posted. With a retirement date in MAY98, any advice I might offer is simply too dated to be of value in most instances!
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SrA (Join to see)
When we don't take the opportunity to question a broken system...the system just stays broken. My 2 cents. However, I'm still a soldier at heart. So when I'm told to "just shut up and do it"..i just shut up and I do it. No issue heeding advice. ;)
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SrA (Join to see)
...say wha? You lost me. No..they couldn't make me go through basic training again. Because if I had to go through air force basic training, or whatever y'all call it, I would've just gone back into the Army. Or just not come back in at all. Secondly, I simply asked if there was any kind of waiver or reg to cover this kind of situation. I didn't expect all of the extra "advice"...although I certainly don't mind anyone's input!! However, the idea that I should somehow just be happy that I don't have to go to air force basic and be satisfied with just getting paid to do ALS is a young person's mentality. As ive stated, I'm not a young person. 15 years ago I wouldn't have questioned anything. Someone commands me to sweep rocks....my response would have been "where's the broom". Lol. Never be afraid to ask a question. The worst thing anyone can ever tell you is "no". Evidently the answer to the question of a waiver is no..so I suck it up and get it done. I don't know where the idea of me not being happy came from.
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SrA (Join to see)
Wow. Ok...where to start. Maybe the misunderstanding is my fault. I didn't mean for my question to morph into this..whatever it's become. So let me clarify. I never intended to make it sound as if I don't think an Air force leadership class is worthwhile. Or that in somehow above it. On the contrary, I think that all knowledge is good knowledge. My topic was more about the need to do one to get promoted..when I've already checked that box in another branch. Now, if someone wants to promote me and then send me to all the leadership courses ever made in the history of the world...then let's do this!!!
My negativity towards the requirement for prior service guys isn't based on me thinking that I can't learn anything or that the Army course is superior. Or that I "know what's best". I usually default to the assumption that I am completely clueless. Lol. However, there have been rumblings of the air force and army (and maybe other branches?) going to joint courses. Much like we are doing with tech schools. And in fact, there have been airman who have gone to army BLC and vice versa. So the courses can't be THAT different. Why not figure out how they differ and make sure the prior service guys who have done a similar course are spun up on where they are deficient. Rather than just say "we want you trained our way. The right way." All branches are guilty of this stupid mentality. "Our way is the only right way." That's just not true.
Lastly, I brought up my age not to say that it makes me wiser or more knowledgeable. But because I felt as though I was being talked to in a patronizing manor. I asked a very simple question. And I really do appreciate everyone's input. That's not me being a smartass. But I don't need to hear about how much I could learn if i do the course or how different the air force is compared to the Army or how I should heed someone's advice when they give it. I'm not a child. I understand all of that. Trust me, I see the differences in the branches. I understand that you can't treat airman like soldiers. Got it!! My ophthalmic course was joint service. I was the oldest guy in the class and one of 2 prior service. I was the guy who never said anything. I kept my mouth shut and just got it done. And (not to toot my own horn) graduated distinguished honor grad. This isn't my first rodeo. Lol. I understand the "AF mentality". But what's the TIS requirement before someone is allowed to say "that's kinda silly. Is there maybe a better way we can do that"? Is there a certain rank i need to be? Lol.
Anyways...thanks to everyone for their input!!
My negativity towards the requirement for prior service guys isn't based on me thinking that I can't learn anything or that the Army course is superior. Or that I "know what's best". I usually default to the assumption that I am completely clueless. Lol. However, there have been rumblings of the air force and army (and maybe other branches?) going to joint courses. Much like we are doing with tech schools. And in fact, there have been airman who have gone to army BLC and vice versa. So the courses can't be THAT different. Why not figure out how they differ and make sure the prior service guys who have done a similar course are spun up on where they are deficient. Rather than just say "we want you trained our way. The right way." All branches are guilty of this stupid mentality. "Our way is the only right way." That's just not true.
Lastly, I brought up my age not to say that it makes me wiser or more knowledgeable. But because I felt as though I was being talked to in a patronizing manor. I asked a very simple question. And I really do appreciate everyone's input. That's not me being a smartass. But I don't need to hear about how much I could learn if i do the course or how different the air force is compared to the Army or how I should heed someone's advice when they give it. I'm not a child. I understand all of that. Trust me, I see the differences in the branches. I understand that you can't treat airman like soldiers. Got it!! My ophthalmic course was joint service. I was the oldest guy in the class and one of 2 prior service. I was the guy who never said anything. I kept my mouth shut and just got it done. And (not to toot my own horn) graduated distinguished honor grad. This isn't my first rodeo. Lol. I understand the "AF mentality". But what's the TIS requirement before someone is allowed to say "that's kinda silly. Is there maybe a better way we can do that"? Is there a certain rank i need to be? Lol.
Anyways...thanks to everyone for their input!!
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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.
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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.
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.
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