Becoming a civilian air traffic controller through the military?

Question

if i join the air force as an air traffic controller, when i am done with my service and decide to join the civilians in air traffic control, what would make me stand out so that i would receive the job over the other people applying, what would i need to do while serving in the military to get noticed in the civilian world. so basically what would i need to do to become an air traffic controller in the civilian world after military life.

Answer 1

Just wanted to chime in with a couple of corrections from what I've seen as a civilian air traffic controller.  

"That Dude" had a recruiter who either didn't know squat about ATC or wanted him to sign up for something else.  Believe me, when a pilot has a major malfunction or weather shuts down everything but one arrival gate, the you know what hits the fan.  Sure there are plenty of times when it can be a bit boring and routine, but there is enough adrenaline to give you your yearly fix.  

Eric T is somewhat right about ratings.  If you work in a tower you get a certify as a CTO, control tower operator, which has value in that it lets you get a job at a contract tower, but in the radar world, there is no such thing as there are no US contract radar facilities.

Yak is 99% right, but they just started sending military controller converts to the FAA to the academy regardless of experience, which really its only a few weeks at the MMAC and you get paid, so why worry about that.  

Yak has my vote.        

Answer 2

I was an air traffic controller in the Army and having military experience will help you under certain hiring notices. In addition to gaining the needed experience, you will be able to apply to the FAA under annoucments specifically labeled "VRA". Those are openings for veterans and no one else.  

Answer 3

Complete as many qualifications for as many positions as possible while on active duty.  Volunteer for extra shifts if that's what it takes.... ground control, approach control, departure control, get qualified on the Precision Approach Radar (PAR), etc....

You do NOT get all the certifications you need to work for the FAA.  Believe me, I work with this stuff each and every day.

Right now the FAA is hiring guys right out of the military and not even sending them to the Air Traffic Control Academy.  They're doing their training on the job for ex military.  My Tower Chief told me they are even offering a $20,000 sign-on bonus and giving applicants a choice of 3 locations (you pick) and guaranteeing 1 of them.

I've heard the military is making ATC sign up for 5 year active duty enlistments due to heavy pressure from the FAA but I have not verified this.

Answer 4

While serving as an Air Force ATC you will automatically get all of the FAA certifications that you will need as a civilian.  The two biggest things that will make you stand out are 1) you are already completely trained and certified. 2) you have had years of experience that most of the other applicants lack.

If you want to something more I would recommend that you try to get a least one assignment to a base that handles heavies (C-5's, C-17 etc)  Fighters do things a little differently.  In a non wartime environment they will land basically the same as a civilian airliner.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

You can also get similar training through the Army, with the job guaranteed in your contract.

Answer 6

Make sure you REALLY want this job. My recruiter asked me what I thought about this job, and in confidence and away from his superiors he told me don't do that job. He said it was extremely boring.

Now people are differant, so what you like might not be what he likes. All I say is make sure that is what you want to do.

Now, for going military to civilian. You keep track of your papers and include your time in the military in your resume. When you are interviewed by the civilian aviation company, tell them about your time in the military.

Good luck.