Military ATC

[MikeOH58]

If someone were considering the profession of Air Traffic Control, and went the military route, which branch would be the best to do this?
Do all Navy controllers do a ship tour?
Does Army ATC provide the training so as to when the individual gets out, he or she can become FAA licensed?

[Fox Xray]

I was never in the military but I work with many that were... I **think** just the AF and Navy are your best bets for becoming a military controller. I work with a guy that was a Marine and was a controller (in Japan) but it is my understanding it's a tough gig to score in the Marines. Not all Navy controllers go to sea, a buddy of mine did 5 years in the Navy as a controller and never saw a ship. Most do... former Natca president John Carr was a controller in the Navy and was on carriers most if not his whole time.

Check out - http://www.stuckmic.com/

It's an ATC message board with the majority of guys being military controllers, you should be able to get some good info over there.

[JimmyK]

Im a Marine and graduate from ATC school this friday. If you have any questions I'll try to answer them as best as I can or find out the correct answer for you.

In my class theres nine sailors and two Marines. Six of the nine got ships or some other kind of sea duty(TACRONS)when they went and picked orders. That seems to be about standard around here.If i remember correctly I think everyone in the Navy(AC's atleast)is required to do one sea tour before they get out. If its not required it highly frowned upon. One sailor in my class always got #### when he told people he didnt want to go to a boat, all the instructors would ask him why he joined the navy if he didnt want to go to sea etc. He had the highest GPA out of the ones who got to pick orders so he got to pick first and got the only set of shore duty orders there.

[rickyrhodesii]

Air Force...all the way! That way you get to control the "real traffic!" It's the AIR force for crying out loud. But then again, I'm just bias.

AF guys tend to do a tour in the sandbox once if you're lucky. It's generally just a 4-5 month gig and you get to add another facility on your resume.

Ask away if you have any questions. I've been in the AF for six years, worked at 2 towers, 3 approach controls (the 2nd and 3rd busiest in the AF), 1 center and qualified as a Watch Supervisor in each facility. So, to answer your question about being qualified when you get out...i think you can see the answer to that!

[Fox Xray]

Originally Posted by JimmyK

If i remember correctly I think everyone in the Navy(AC's atleast)is required to do one sea tour before they get out. If its not required it highly frowned upon.

LOL... whenever other Navy guys ask my buddy what ship he served on and he answers none... they bust his chops... they have some nickname they call him but I can't remember it at this moment.

[PilotChip]

I spent 5 years as a US Marine controller. From north carolina to iraq and Africa.

ATC (MOS 7251) is typically harder to get into because it comes with a 5 year contract and the training program to even get to flight data controller takes some time. Many contollers also reenlist frequently so there's usually alot of controllers at any given time in that MOS within the Corps.

If it's possible, negotiate with your recruiter for a guarantee of the ATC specialty before signing your contract. Make sure it's stated there as well and see if you can get any kind of bonus while you're at it.

After acquiring my CTO (about 2 years in) i headed overseas and it was the best thing i did during my 5 years.

Any questions, I'd be happy to answer.

JC

[kylesprincess]

to start off im not the princess im her husband i am Army ATC noticed that this ? was posted in march so i dont know if this question still applies but with army ATC you will get alot of good training but at the same time you will have to deal with a lot of uneeded crap but then again thats military for ya.ATC in the army we deal with mostly tactical ATC but you will get a CTO some where in your military career you will probably get some radar in there some where too. Most of the ATC training is FAA training but when you get out you will have to take a course in oklahoma city that is for civilian ATC cause military ATC and civi ATC are the same job but completely different and just to add on the fact that unlike the Airforce we serve the full 12 to 15 months in iraq cause we kick ass. no matter what branch you go through you will still be getting most of your training at Ft. Rucker home of ARMY aviation at least the navy does anyway i have seen marines but there usually officers and the Air force has there own training but its shorter and has alot of usless info that you will never use so i have heard from my cousin that is AF ATC. If you have any more ?'s i would be glad to help.

[PilotChip]

Good info Princess

To elaborate on Marine Corps atc, the training is in Pensacola FL at the Naval Aeronautical Training Center. It's about 16 weeks and you leave with an atcs developmental certificate. The entire training process was right on nose and gave us just the right amount of info and interaction to prepare us for the fleet. The par/asr simulators were fun and voice controlled and the tower presented us with a practical and life-like situation.

To make it clear - 99% of the controllers, actually controlling aircraft, in the Marine Corps are enlisted. All officers perform administrative duties such as the facility officer etc...

Although officers do go through the same training program as enlisted, rarely do you find them working the tower or the asr/par scopes on a daily basis.

Stateside controlling will get you an FAA CTO or a TRACON cert. (granted your facility is labeled as such). Working overseas, however, was an amazing experience with every type/size aircraft, but doesn't necessarily present you with a CTO.

[JimmyK]

Originally Posted by PilotChip

I spent 5 years as a US Marine controller. From north carolina to iraq and Africa.

New River or Cherry Point? I'm currently at Cherry Point.

[PilotChip]

New River. I had friends up there a while back though. Been there plenty.

I like your avatar. Is there a larger version?

[JimmyK]

Originally Posted by PilotChip

New River. I had friends up there a while back though. Been there plenty.

I like your avatar. Is there a larger version?

Yup, right here :

http://www.matsgfl.usmc.mil/ams2/pictures/atclogo.jpg

It's actually a mural painted outside the instructor workroom at the school house in PCola.

[pilotnate23]

Remember that for the most part, military controllers are enlisted. I only get to work traffic a few times a week for an hour or so...the admin work and the airfield take up alot of time!

[flyeagle111]

pilotnate23, pm sent

[MikeOH58]

Thanks for the reply Princess...I actually posted this back a couple months ago while considering the Army's WOFT program, and if not selected I was going to entertain the idea of enlisting and potentially applying from within.

For better or for worse, I have since decided to not take that potential career route due to actually getting my act together with flying; finishing most ratings and getting a job, and also meeting a girl that i'm not sure I want to be away from cough cough, but i'm a pilot