How do I find the "Order of merit" for ALC class dates?

Thanks SSG Fleming, I will give it a try but my schools NCO informed me that they have no control over ALC class dates as they are supposed to be generated from HRC.

SGT (Join to see) - It is my understanding that this is true to some extent. I'm sure you've heard it before but "there is always an exception to the policy". If you are high enough on the OML, you can easily get in a walk-in slot. There is always someone who fails the APFT/ACFT, Height/weight, etc.

The order of merit list is controlled by HRC, and they would be ones that could tell you where you stand. I'm sure they would probably be annoyed and possibly ignore an email regarding your standing unless you're in a low density MOS. Another option would be to check with your ALC NCO Academy.

How OML Works:
1. Essentially, the way scheduling goes is they identify the amount of slots they have for schools. For example lets say they have 90 slots.
2. They order people by priority (see the STEP process for scheduling priorities)
3. They draw the "cut line" after 90 people.
The first person may be a SSG who was deployed and was promoted with an NCOES Deferment in place so they are going to be higher than any SGT(P), even if that SGT(P) has 798 points. If the 90th slot is listed at 515 points, and you are sitting at 500 points, you may have a shot at walking in. Here's why

Soldiers selected may get flagged. (APFT failure, HT/WT failure, Investigation, Adverse Action, ETC) These soldiers may be selected for training, but get flagged in between the scheduling for ALC and the actual report date. When this happens, HRC will want to fill that slot and will return to the OML and go to #91, #92 etc. However, if the disqualifying action is too close to the report date, such as the APFT 1 week prior, or whatever the reason may be, HRC may not have time to schedule someone in place. This is where a walk-in packet will come in to play, and where your Schools NCO can help you out.

I am not 100%, (please someone correct me) but packets may differ from installation or NCO academies across the army. All of them will require a DA 4187 approving the training. So if you, and others who are trying to walk in, show up with a complete packet and all requirements to begin training, the NCO Academy in charge of your ALC will re-rank the group trying to walk in based on the OML.

I have never worked in an NCO Academy, so I don't know if they run their own OML based on those walking in, or if they look at the OML generated by HRC. (promotion points may have changed from the HRC OML to the actual points people have when they show up)

BLUF: HRC encourages commanders to submit DA 4187s to train ahead of OML to ensure that all slots are filled. Even if you can't "Walk-in", HRC might place you on an upcoming class for the simple fact that they may see some individuals above you are temporarily ineligible to report for training(deployed, MEB or MAR2 initiated, etc). It never hurts to ask, the worst you can get told is no.

P.S. The STEP program was implemented to ensure promotion runs a specific way, and I have seen some senior leaders look at submission to further one's career as "circumventing the process". These are the same individuals that will say "take your career in your hands". Reach out and be proactive, ALC Scheduling occurs up to 120 days in advance if I remember correctly.

P.S.S. Unless you have a friend in NCOA or at HRC, you probably won't be able to see the actual OML and where you stand(which changes every month). I know in my CMF, there is a quarterly email that goes out regarding ALC, SLC, MLC etc and explains how many are eligible vs how many slots are available.