[rickyrhodesii]

-Can someone explain sign-on bonuses to me?
The Air Force enlistment bonus is pretty simple. If the AF is offering an enlistment bonus at the time of your enlistment, you'll receive the bonus upon completion of technical training. Six and a half years ago it was $6,000. Thanks to my enlistment bonus, I wasn't really out any money for my private pilot training.

-What happens after I get my certification and everything needed to become an ATC; can I have the military pay for any other further education of my choice or do they only pay for degrees that coincide with your military job? [GI BILL?]
You can pursue any kind of degree and some professional certifications to some degree. When you're active duty, you don't even have to use the GI Bill. We have something called Tuition Assistance (TA). TA covers 100% of tuition per semester hour, up to a set amount. I'm just 4 classes shy of my degree and I haven't paid a dime out of my own pocket! Well other than books...

The GI Bill can be used to supplement your TA if you go over your yearly amount. OR, you can use your GI Bill like I did. It's paying for 60% of my flight training for my instrument rating and commercial license. Pretty sweet deal for a mere $1,200 dollar investment!

-If you get called up for service are they strictly 4 month serving times across the board for ATC's? [navy, AF, ANG, etc.]?
I'm assuming you’re talking about deployments? If so, it's going to differ from each branch of the service. As of now, AF deployments are 4 months with 6 month deployments on the horizon.

-If I become an ATC in the military, am I qualified for any other civilian jobs in aviation with said training?
I've known a few controller get out and become aircraft dispatchers, flight service station and other airfield management type jobs.

-Is the training in the military similar to that of a CTI school?
I can't really say. AF ATC tech school is Mon-Fri, 8 hours a day filled with classroom lectures and sims, for 16 weeks.

-How long is boot camp and where is it at? Do any of the branches have more difficult boot camps then the other?
AF basic military training (BMT) takes place at Lackland AFB, San AntonioTexas. AF BMT is 7 weeks longs. I'm pretty sure the other branches are a little more difficult and demanding than AF BMT.

And just in case you're wondering...you get paid from day 1 in the military until the day you leave. You're being paid to train!

-What ASVAB score is required to become an ATC in the military? Does it vary by branch?
Please don't quote me on this, but I want to say anything over a 35.

-Which of the military branches would u recommend for ATC and why?
Air Force all the way! My dad was an Army controller and he pushed me on to the AF. Controllers in the AF are just controllers. We're not tasked out for security details or convoy duties. When we deploy, our rifles are locked up in the armory never to be seen from again...

I enjoy the AF traffic. You control everything from VFR pop-ups, aerial refueling flights, bomber, fighters, trainers, airliners and everything in between.

In reality, it's what you want. If you like the idea of being one of the few and proud Marines, go for it. Army, be all you can be. Navy, full speed ahead!