CIVILIAN EXPERIENCE IN ALAP
was made up of individuals from varying organizations across the Army. Trough my experience, the cadre are truly striving to live up to their mantra of “world-class, fair, consistent and COVID-19 safe.”
ALAP is conducted concurrently with several other evaluations unique to Soldiers. For example, the Battalion Command Assess- ment Program (BCAP), the program the Army uses to select battalion commanders, has candidates taking the assessments right alongside of ALAP candidates. However, because ALAP is the only program to allow civilian participation, civilians by far will be in the minority. Since the program has all candidates participating in civilian clothes, when talking to other candi- dates, I found myself having to explain that not only was I not a uniformed military member, but also explain a bit about the Army Civilian Corps and what we do to support the Army. I would like to think that as much as I gained from talking with the other candidates in terms of their role in the Army, I was also able to pass on some knowledge of the Civilian Corps as well.
A MILITARY PROCESS Upon arriving at Fort Knox, Kentucky, it became very clear that this was not going to be a standard TDY—also known as a tempo- rary duty assignment. I knew where I was going to check into the program, thanks to the abundant information provided by the ALAP team well in advance, and signs were posted at most of the intersections guiding candidates to the mayor’s cell to check in. Once there, a team of noncommissioned officers from the cadre provided an in-briefing and a COVID-19 screening, assigned a barracks room and instructed me to conduct a reconnaissance of all facilities to be used over the next few days. Tankfully, the instructions provided were very easy to follow—though it was abundantly clear right from the in-processing brief that the cadre is available to help answer any questions and ensure all candi- dates are successful during ALAP.
I found that ALAP is very much a military process that civilians can participate in. While sleeping in the barracks and dining in the mess hall might not be the same as staying at the Homewood Suites with maid service, breakfast bar and unlimited coffee, accommodations are sufficient, and the ALAP team puts out a wealth of information on what to expect—as well as what to bring to make your stay more enjoyable. Te schedule of the program also varies from the standard “civilian” workday, with events taking place later in the evening and running over the weekend. With that said, I chose to embrace these differences and appreci- ate the insight this program provides. Being part of the process and going through the assessments with a wide array of officers
102 Army AL&T Magazine Spring 2023
has, in a small way, helped me to better understand the Army as an organization and to better see how the world looks through the perspective of my military colleagues.
ASSESSMENTS I found the ALAP assessments to be a unique four-day interview experience in which candidates go through psychometric eval- uations, an interview with an operational psychologist (trained Army psychologist), essay writing and leadership exercises, all of which culminate with a double-blind interview before a panel of Army senior leaders. ALAP was my first exposure to a double- blind interview, where neither the candidate nor the interviewing panel can see each other. During standard interviews, I tend to “read the room” in providing responses to interview questions. Tis style of interview does not allow this feedback and it can feel very strange. Each civilian candidate should see ALAP as a double-sided opportunity. Yes, ALAP can be seen as an exten- sive interview, but also, this is an opportunity for self-assessment and leader development.
ARMY COMBAT FITNESS TEST Te one event that is 100 percent optional to civilians is partic- ipating in the physical fitness assessment, the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). When I was first reviewing the documen- tation on the ALAP program, I was ready to dismiss the ACFT as not something I would worry about. However, after thinking about it, I looked at this as an opportunity to change up my own fitness routine and I am very glad I did, as participation provided some tangential benefits.
Te ACFT is also the one event where officers are required to wear their uniform. When I arrived at the gym not wearing an Army physical fitness uniform, I received quite a few questions. “Wait a minute, you’re a civilian and you’re doing this for fun?” After explaining what I was doing there, we were brought into the gym and were told to fall-in for warm-ups. Never having done this before and not seeing this as part of the ACFT from the docu- mentation provided by the ALAP team, I had no idea what was going on, but all the other candidates clearly did. So, I made a beeline to the back of the gym and pretended like I knew what was going on as everyone lined up and spaced out to conduct warmup exercises. I stumbled through the warmups, following what everyone else was doing a few seconds behind, trying not to look like a dancer who doesn’t know the routine.
After completing warmups, and between the ACFT events, there was a distinct change. Conversations flowed more freely between the other candidates and me. Tere was a distinct sense
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