Reclassification

twarren Newcomer

Don't know where to place this thread, so i figured it would be here due to the other military personnel! I'm currently in the army coming up on a reenlistment. I really want to do ATC. However, I'm concered if I would be better off to get out and attend a cti school and go about that way or if i would be better off reenlist/reclass in the army and get the "experience" that. Also what are the certificates that i would need when i get out of the army and how many yrs expeirence would I need if I did get stay in? Any help will be greatly appreciated!!

charlie_delta Rookie

I went the Guard route. Was able to get trained and accepted in to the FAA in just over a year and a half. And I'm still able to be in the military. Waiting in the long hiring process now. CTI is always a route you could take but, I chose to get paid to learn ATC as opposed to paying 60k+ to get less real life experiences. Whichever route you choose tho remember to network network network. Good luck! Oh and you'll just need 52 wks as a controller and documentation to prove it (orders, sf50- if you get civilian time, etc). A copy of your pink card with any current qualifications. Idk if the Army has guard units with ATC or not, the air guard has 10 at the moment (believe LA is closing). But, that way you won't have to commit and wait the full 6 years before you can apply to the FAA.

flybyfive Senior Member

All depends on if you plan on getting out after your second enlistment or staying in the military. Army atc is unique, you don't do as much fix base tower work you associate with atc. It's more tactical, mobile combat support atc. There are still some fixed base stations, but not many.

Pretty much without a CTO (control tower operators certificate), your time in the Army wouldn't matter to the FAA. There are very few duty stations that allow you to train and get a CTO. So do some more research and figure out of you will have enough time to do another enlistment and get out to apply with the FAA. Remember the age cutoff for the FAA is 31.

Good luck

AlphaKilo Junior Member Tucson, AZ

Your best bets are:

1. Leave the Army, find the shortest legitimate CTI school and use your GI Bill to go to school there.

2. Leave the Army, join the Air National Guard as a controller and apply to the FAA once you get checked out.

Notice what both those options have in common. Army ATC is pretty terrible from my experiences with Army controllers, and from what I understand CTOs are very difficult to get. It's all about the CTO yo.

twarren Newcomer

So, from what i've read on other threads is that when i reclass/re up i should get to chose a location. If i get that chance then i should go with rucker?

sharkey21 Rookie

Rucker is your best bet at a CTO which will qualify you for the FAA. If you are assigned to any other base it is still possible to receive your CTO but your chances go way down. Most bases have a majority of civilian controllers and a few military personnel training in them from the tac units.

flybyfive Senior Member

All depends on your contract. Mos-t usually do not get to choose their duty station. If you can get it in writing, you have a 90% chance of getting a CTO at Rucker.

RFDATM Trusted Contributor IL

Having the leverage at reenlistment for reclassification to ATC is a good thing. So, worst case scenario is you reenlist and don't get a base where you can get a CTO - pursue a CTI program part-time during your next enlistment. You will still be employed and using your GI bill.