Army ATC

[311]

I'm going to keep this short. I graduate college in May 07, and will be applying for US Army WOFT. I feel I have an incredibly strong packet, but my college GPA might hold me back...I did a lot of screwing around my freshman year, but have since made drastic exponential improvement, but the damage done freshmen year still hinders my cumulative gpa. If in fact I am FQ-NS twice I see it as having two options. Grad school, or enlisting and applying from within. Both have their pro's and con's IMO. If I were to choose the latter, I have been entertaining the thought of US Army ATC. I have found a good amount of info on the MOS on the Army's recruiting website, but aside from that, I can't find anything on the net. If it comes down to enlisting, it's going to take a lot more than the US Army's website too make my decision. I know we have a couple active Warrants and RLO's in here, and I would very much appreciate any info you can pass along about the job.

Does Army ATC control non Army Aircraft? If so, does army ATC control all airspace? (ground-A) Does Army ATC meet requirements for FAA cert?

I have to cut this short, and I apologize. Family emergency I have been dealing with all day, and i'm lucky to get a 3-4 minute break every so often.

I will post back as soon as I can with more detail.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Mike P-

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by 311

I'm going to keep this short. I graduate college in May 07, and will be applying for US Army WOFT. I feel I have an incredibly strong packet, but my college GPA might hold me back...I did a lot of screwing around my freshman year, but have since made drastic exponential improvement, but the damage done freshmen year still hinders my cumulative gpa. If in fact I am FQ-NS twice I see it as having two options. Grad school, or enlisting and applying from within. Both have their pro's and con's IMO. If I were to choose the latter, I have been entertaining the thought of US Army ATC. I have found a good amount of info on the MOS on the Army's recruiting website, but aside from that, I can't find anything on the net. If it comes down to enlisting, it's going to take a lot more than the US Army's website too make my decision. I know we have a couple active Warrants and RLO's in here, and I would very much appreciate any info you can pass along about the job.

Does Army ATC control non Army Aircraft? If so, does army ATC control all airspace? (ground-A) Does Army ATC meet requirements for FAA cert?

I have to cut this short, and I apologize. Family emergency I have been dealing with all day, and i'm lucky to get a 3-4 minute break every so often.

I will post back as soon as I can with more detail.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Mike P-

Hi Mike, welcome to JC.

I am an Army aviator and have some limited experience working with our ATC guys. Unfortunately I have no idea if their training meets the reqs for the FAA or not.

What I do know, is they get some tremendous experience. They control aircraft from all services and plenty of other nations. They operate in some pretty hairy situations when deployed. They are extraordinarily professional, and really know their stuff.

Keep in mind though, as an ATC soldier you will be deployed a lot. They are in high demand, and there aren't enough of them. Also, they do a lot more than just control aircraft. Basic soldier skills, guard duty, maintenance, driving on convoys, etc. Like all of us, they are soldiers first, and practice their MOS second.

Wish I could tell you more, but hopefully this will get you started.

[311]

Thanks for the reply Chinook. Let me ask you...How much will GPA count for a n off the street packet? Like I said in my previous post, I really screwed the pooch my freshmen year of college...Since then my grades have improved each and every semester (last semester i was able to score a 4.0 with 15 credits). My plan is to be honest..."Sir, for better or for worse, I have learned in retrospect that I started college too early. I am not denying that my first years transcripts look like total failure, but I did gain some valueable information about myself in the process. As my transcripts indicate, there has been an exponential change in my attitude and academic responsibility and I can assure you that I am not that same 18 year old back at Southern Connecticut State University anymore. This is not an excuse...Just an explanation."

Something like that...Unfortunately my grades were so bad my freshmen year, even with the high gpa's I have been getting, i'll be graduating with a 2.4/2.5 cumulative gpa. Is that going to be too low??? Should I prepare for enlistment? Would you recommend enlistment if FQ/NS? Or Grad School? (3-1/2 semesters for MA)?....

thanks bud

<S>

Mike

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by 311

Thanks for the reply Chinook. Let me ask you...How much will GPA count for a n off the street packet? Like I said in my previous post, I really screwed the pooch my freshmen year of college...Since then my grades have improved each and every semester (last semester i was able to score a 4.0 with 15 credits). My plan is to be honest..."Sir, for better or for worse, I have learned in retrospect that I started college too early. I am not denying that my first years transcripts look like total failure, but I did gain some valueable information about myself in the process. As my transcripts indicate, there has been an exponential change in my attitude and academic responsibility and I can assure you that I am not that same 18 year old back at Southern Connecticut State University anymore. This is not an excuse...Just an explanation."

Something like that...Unfortunately my grades were so bad my freshmen year, even with the high gpa's I have been getting, i'll be graduating with a 2.4/2.5 cumulative gpa. Is that going to be too low??? Should I prepare for enlistment? Would you recommend enlistment if FQ/NS? Or Grad School? (3-1/2 semesters for MA)?....

thanks bud

<S>

Mike

All good questions, but unfortunately, I don't know. I'm a commissioned officer and am not very acquainted with the WO selection process. I would recommend posting/ searching on Just Helicopters or APTAP. Lots of current and former warrant officers there.

And if not selected, enlistment is a good way to go if you really want to serve. Or you could try OCS to become an officer, and possibly get an aviation position that way. Or, if you elect to go to grad school, you could do Army ROTC for two years and get a scholarship. (And I do know quite a bit about ROTC, so if that's an option for you, let me know.)

[311]

hmm...Didn't know ROTC was an option during Grad School. My undergrad is done at Southern Connecticut State University. IF I do grad school I would most likely remain at SCSU. Problem is, the only ROTC in the State is at the University of Connecticut, and I believe it is Air Force ROTC? Not quit sure, but I would imagine each state would have to offer atleast one University with Army, Air Force and Naval ROTC right?

Chinook...My e-mail address is Palazzom1@southernct.edu

I would be very interested in chatting about ROTC if you have the time.

Thanks sir

Mike P

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by 311

hmm...Didn't know ROTC was an option during Grad School. My undergrad is done at Southern Connecticut State University. IF I do grad school I would most likely remain at SCSU. Problem is, the only ROTC in the State is at the University of Connecticut, and I believe it is Air Force ROTC? Not quit sure, but I would imagine each state would have to offer atleast one University with Army, Air Force and Naval ROTC right?

Chinook...My e-mail address is Palazzom1@southernct.edu

I would be very interested in chatting about ROTC if you have the time.

Thanks sir

Mike P

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