What is it like to work in air traffic control for the Air Force? Do you travel to dif. bases a lo?

Question

I think air traffic control sounds interesting; what's your opinion on it?

If I enlist in the Air Force I can work in air traffic control during the morning to midafternoon and then get off work at 3-ish I've heard, and then go to college which is payed for by the Air Force. If you go into this, will you start travelling AFTER your college education?

Do they station you at multiple bases?

I want to travel a lot. Are there many options to where you can be stationed (how many bases)/ are there many options as to where I can choose to go?

Thanks to any answers!

Answer 1

I started my ATC career in the Air Force and I love doing ATC!  I enlisted out of high school for four years but now i hear that you must enlist for at least six years to go ATC.  I am not going to lie to you it is very difficult and the people who are going to train you are going to be ruthless!  Your first two years are going to be h**l (assuming that you don't get washed out earlier.)  Constant studying  After you get out of basic training you will go to Keesler AFB at Biloxi Mississippi for you tech school training.  Tech school is about four months and is barely the tip of the iceberg.  You will not really learn anything about actual ATC until you get your first assignment and start your OJT.  (on the job training)  That is when you will actually get to talk to planes.  You will not get any other base of assignment until you get your upgrade to 5 level which means that you are actually an air traffic controller and you can work in position without being monitored by another controller.  Even then it can still take a while to get another assignment.  If you are going to the air force don't take any other job unless it is flying planes.  ATC is great once you are qualified but being a trainee sucks!  You will find that out.  I would not plain on doing much college work while you are a trainee.  Training is going to take up all of your time and off of work you are going to want to chill.  If you are looking for a college education then go to college.  Or you are going to have to be patient and do it when you have the time.  Becoming an air traffic controller is almost like going to college itself and majoring in air traffic control.  It's a lot of work!  When i look back on the Air Force i think bitter sweet because besides a tour in iraq working at Baghdad I was stuck at the same base for 31/2 years.  But it was the best decision that i ever made!  But the Air Force has some really great bases all over the world and ATC is needed at almost all of them.  Shoot for Europe, those are the best.  Right now I am a contractor in Afghanistan doing ATC making buco bucks waiting on the FAA.  If you have any other questions e mail me at my yahoo account.  I have it listed.  It's very difficult but very rewarding if you can stick it out.  You will be in an elite club.  Good luck!

Answer 2

my nephew is in navy as ATC...he did basic in great lake's MICH..THEN MOVED TO Wash dc TO TRAIN AND NOW HAS BEEN AT SAME BASE IN FLORIDA FOR 3 YRS..the travel is usually longer term...its not like a vacation...you usually don,t choose where to go no matter what requiter tells you.