Length of the military-to-civilian path

Rosstafari Daaaang. /X

Over the past several months, I've been mulling over the various options available to enter this career, and one that's been running around in the back of my mind for a long while now is through the military. I had a foot in the recruiting office for a good part of my previous career in the clergy -- didn't pan out since I was pulled into youth ministry -- but aside from a few comments here and there on SM, I don't know a lot about what military controlling is like.

So... any of you former or current military controllers feel like sharing? Part of the reason that I've not taken it as seriously as I did a few years back is life changes -- I'm 28 and married, and I don't know if they prefer guys younger than me, even though I'm really not all that old. Assuming I did sign up, what kind of time commitments am I looking at? How good are the chances that I'll be deployed and will have to be away from my wife (and kids, eventually) for a long amount of time? What's the transition to civilian controlling like? At this point in life, would it be better for me to just stay on the OTS path?

I won't pretend that my primary motivation isn't finding a way into the career that I want, but service to my country is an attractive part of it as well. If I were a few years younger, I'm pretty sure that I would've gone ahead and signed up... but I'm not, so the choices are different for me than they would be for someone right out of high school or college.

Thanks in advance to anyone who's got some advice for me here.

zoz02 Trusted Member KSGJ

Don't be a dumbass, if you can get into the faa before your 31 do it. Going the military route, you better enjoy getting screwed with by 20 year old managers, having you sweep the hallway while they control for a few years.

You will be regretting the military the whole time, I did, I don't regret my decision my degree or my travels but it sucked on a daily.

Navy Controller for 5 years on a carrier.

BigChew Rookie Chesapeake, VA

As it looks right now, i wouldn't. This year is the highest hiring year for the FAA (according to the projected hire chart). That would mean your chances go down if you joined the military then the FAA after 5 years. Do yourself a favor DON'T DO IT. Apply for the next PUBNAT and call it good or go to a CTI school.

AlphaKilo Rookie Las Vegas, NV

It would be retarded to join the military at 28 to try and be a controller for the following reasons:

1. The Air Force is the only branch of service that has controlling opportunities that mirror those you would find at a civilian airport, and 28 is the maximum age to join the Air Force. You are right at that point now, and may not be able to get an ATC slot before your 29th birthday.

2. If you do join the Air Force now, you would be subject to a mandatory 6 year enlistment contract that will disqualify you from going FAA after you get out.

3. Your chances of deploying and spending a good chunk of time away from your family is very high, not to mention the difficulty of military life in general. You are on duty 24/7 and are subject to be called in at any time for any reason.

Continue with your current plan and be patient.

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

uhh....no.

Ammolite Unregistered

HAHAHAHAHA @ "highest hiring year" when they didn't even hire 1/3 of what they wanted to at the last panel.

BigChew Rookie Chesapeake, VA

I was just saying..... The chart shows 2009 the big year for hiring that's all......

bryan2215 Rookie New Braunfels, TX

Man, I spent 6 years in the Air Force as a controller and loved every minute of it. I agree that the Air Force provides the best training of controllers, and provides you with the best experience for the FAA. Not to stereotype everyone, but I worked with some veterans from other branches in the contract world and.......wow. Not to say there aren't good controllers from other branches. However, NOW is the time to get into the FAA. You are only 28, but that is pushing the 31 yr old age limit. Some of the off-the-street guys on here have waited around 2 years to get picked up.....see where I am going?? Either way, Air Traffic is a great career field, just plan on putting a HUGE ammount of effort into it every day. Good Luck.

CAS1128 Newcomer Fort Worth

Your 28 right now, the minimum obligation you will find in the Armed Forces if you want ATC is 5 years and that will put you over the 31 age limit fo the FAA. Unless you retiree from the military, then you can go to the FAA. One thing I found in my 8 years in the Navy was when someone enlist at an older age they do not take to well with young guys being there supervisors. Your gonna go into the service E-1 or up to E-3. Your gonna have 19 yr olds telling you what to do? Can you handle that? Most guys can't. But if your out of options and need 3 meals and a flop, then by all means think about it. The military is only as good as you make it. If you have a shitty atitude about it, then your time in the military will be shitty!! The Military is a great way to make a living and anyone who served should be proud they served. There is one thing I saw in the Star-telegram.com , they opened up a 10 month ATC school in Dennison, TX and the FAA said they would hire the first 100 graduates, guaranteed!!! Might be something to look into.

BigChew Rookie Chesapeake, VA

Got some questions, kinda off topic, as a VRA do we go to PEPC's and get TOL's (BTW don't know what that one means). Or do we get accepted and go to OKC? I know we get to miss the first couple of weeks but anything else better? I just would like to know what i should expect.