Air National Guard Questions..

blakeh · Posted: 06-03-2009, 01:12 AM

Hello everyone!

I know there are others about the ANG, but I figured it would be easier and quicker to just start my own thread.

Basically, Im looking into possible joining the ANG for ATC. Im a CTI student right now and would be graduating dec 2010. Now, im wondering if I should continue on track with CTI or go ahead with ANG?

Im looking into this option because I thought that being able to perform actual controlling would help me more than theory being taught in CTI school. Plus, ill be getting a paycheck not giving a paycheck.

I had a couple questions before I head to a recruiter:

I believe the sign on time is 6 years for 2 weeks a year and every other weekend. Anyway to decrease the 6 years?

Basics then Tech school then a year at a base getting certified, is this correct? So, probably about 2 years totalling?

In order to apply VRA announcement you have to be a controller under war conditions? So, I would have to deploy, correct? For how long?

Applying VRA, do you still have to take at-sat?

Is there a time limit on having your CTO before applying VRA?

What are the dreadful chances of not end up getting CTO and being able to Apply VRA?

Once you start working at your facility how does the whole having weekends off work out?

When you have to work your guard weekend will you still have your regular days off that week from your facility or will you be working 14 days straight including guard days and regular work days?

Whats pay like for ANG? during basics? during tech school? during deployment?

Regarding to training, what are the major differences between tech school and OKC academy? Training at military facility compared to faa facility? Easier, harder?

In regards to regulations, are there big differences that are going to make transistion from military controller to FAA controller?

Sorry so many questions. Just kinda a big decesion, for me. So, im trying to gather as much as I can.

Also, if you would like to list pros and cons, that would be great!!!

And thanks again for any and all help you can give me!!!

Radium · Posted: 06-03-2009, 04:52 PM

Holy CRAP. Hopefully ColtsATC or someone can see this here who has ang/reserve time.

Here's what I got for ya:
6 years, enjoy it. Its the only thing they are signing up ATCers for atm.
I'm fairly sure you get a bonus for going atc tho. I think my buddy got like 15g's.
Basic approx 2mnths, Tech school, approx 4months, rated...6-12mnths (depending on stop trainging.) So lets look 1.5-2 yrs. Tho I think ANG places are normally slower, so it should speed up the training.
You should want to deploy. Its awesome, and as a guard controller they shorten it for you. I knew one guy who came to Iraq for 2months. I know others who did 6 tho.
Pay is actually a little better than AF controllers, cause you come in as a higher rank due to random guard/reserve bs! (<- Jealous).

Hopefully thats a start for ya.

blakeh · Posted: 06-03-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radium

Holy CRAP. Hopefully ColtsATC or someone can see this here who has ang/reserve time.

Here's what I got for ya:
6 years, enjoy it. Its the only thing they are signing up ATCers for atm.
I'm fairly sure you get a bonus for going atc tho. I think my buddy got like 15g's.
Basic approx 2mnths, Tech school, approx 4months, rated...6-12mnths (depending on stop trainging.) So lets look 1.5-2 yrs. Tho I think ANG places are normally slower, so it should speed up the training.
You should want to deploy. Its awesome, and as a guard controller they shorten it for you. I knew one guy who came to Iraq for 2months. I know others who did 6 tho.
Pay is actually a little better than AF controllers, cause you come in as a higher rank due to random guard/reserve bs! (<- Jealous).

Hopefully thats a start for ya.

Def a start! And thank you! At first I was only going to deploy so that I could be elgible to apply under the VRA announcement, but now im actually getting interested. Well, at least for the experience. Also, my friend was in the Army for the 6 years and hes been telling me all about it. Unfortunatly, he doesnt know too much info about ATC in military.

Can anyone else help me out with the rest of the questions??

Thanks again!

ColtsATC · Posted: 06-03-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blakeh

Hello everyone!

I know there are others about the ANG, but I figured it would be easier and quicker to just start my own thread.

Basically, Im looking into possible joining the ANG for ATC. Im a CTI student right now and would be graduating dec 2010. Now, im wondering if I should continue on track with CTI or go ahead with ANG?

Im looking into this option because I thought that being able to perform actual controlling would help me more than theory being taught in CTI school. Plus, ill be getting a paycheck not giving a paycheck.

I had a couple questions before I head to a recruiter:

I believe the sign on time is 6 years for 2 weeks a year and every other weekend. Anyway to decrease the 6 years? Nope, ATC is a 6 year enlistment. $15k bonus right now I believe still going on

Basics then Tech school then a year at a base getting certified, is this correct? So, probably about 2 years totalling? 2 months for basic, 4-5 for tech school then up to a year for training at your base, so about 1 1/2 years (paid)

In order to apply VRA announcement you have to be a controller under war conditions? So, I would have to deploy, correct? For how long? It's not so much war conditions necessarily, but that's about the only place we deploy to right now is war zones. The FAA doesn't count your training time as actual controlling experience, so you have to deploy to get real experience, and it has to be in support of the war to get the 5 vet pref points

Applying VRA, do you still have to take at-sat? NO! lol.

Is there a time limit on having your CTO before applying VRA? That I dunno cuz i've never held a CTO

What are the dreadful chances of not end up getting CTO and being able to Apply VRA?I don't have a CTO. That's just for tower. All you need is a facility rating whether tower or RAPCON

Once you start working at your facility how does the whole having weekends off work out? Initially, you work Mon-Fri, but once you start getting into position training you can say bye bye to weekends. At ZID, they put you on your trainers schedule. Can't speak for other places.

When you have to work your guard weekend will you still have your regular days off that week from your facility or will you be working 14 days straight including guard days and regular work days? Depends on your work schedule. Before I deployed, i worked M-F and I drove to my unit after work on Friday for my guard weekend, then drove back sunday after my drill ended and went back to work on Monday. And I have a 7 1/2 hour drive. It sucks, but I don't like using my personal or military leave.

Whats pay like for ANG? during basics? during tech school? during deployment? Basic, tech school, and your facility training is all the same. It depends on your rank. You will likely be an E-3 for the majority of your training. Here is a link to the payscales. You will fall under E-3 under 2 years time in service for the majority of your training. Military Pay Tables

Regarding to training, what are the major differences between tech school and OKC academy? Training at military facility compared to faa facility? Easier, harder? Tech school and the academy aren't much different, minus the military obligations (marching to class, phases, etc) I thought OKC was quite a bit easier than AF tech school. Easier to fail in the AF imo.

In regards to regulations, are there big differences that are going to make transistion from military controller to FAA controller? There hasn't been any real challenges. Just me having to break some old habits from RAPCON since i'm at a center now.

Sorry so many questions. Just kinda a big decesion, for me. So, im trying to gather as much as I can.

Also, if you would like to list pros and cons, that would be great!!!

Pro- I got paid for all of my training, i get to go to college for free, if i had student loans the guard would have paid them off, I have benefits for the rest of my life and I am serving my country.

Cons-Iraq sucks, but the controlling part of it is pretty fun. Some of the military stuff gets old, but all in all, well worth it IMO.

And thanks again for any and all help you can give me!!!

See the red in above

LTKL · Posted: 06-03-2009, 11:37 PM

I believe the sign on time is 6 years for 2 weeks a year and every other weekend. Anyway to decrease the 6 years? no way I know of to decrease the 6 years. 15k bonus is still on. you get 50% upon finishing tech school (approx 6 months into your career) and the rest is spread out over the remainder of your enlistment.

Basics then Tech school then a year at a base getting certified, is this correct? So, probably about 2 years totalling? 2 months for basic, 4-5 for tech school then up to a year for training at your base, so about 1 1/2 years (paid)

In order to apply VRA announcement you have to be a controller under war conditions? So, I would have to deploy, correct? For how long? You have to get deployed in order to get the veterans preference. Deployments are typically 3-6 months. Your tech school and upgrade training are not technically experience, but it is good on your application. Your seasoning time (time after your rating to gain experience) and deployments will count. Most Guard bases will help you out and help you get hired. Tons of people in ATC units in the Guard are in or trying to get in the FAA

Applying VRA, do you still have to take at-sat? NO! lol.

Is there a time limit on having your CTO before applying VRA? I've never held a CTO. If you're Radar, you don't get a CTO. If your tower you will once you're rated. You are supposed to have 52 weeks experience. I did not have this and I still got hired. Maybe I slipped through the cracks...

What are the dreadful chances of not end up getting CTO and being able to Apply VRA? If the war ends and there are no more chances for deployments (hahahaha) you won't be able to apply VRA bc you won't get the 5 points

Once you start working at your facility how does the whole having weekends off work out? Initially, you work Mon-Fri day shift, but once you start getting into position training you can say bye bye to weekends. At PCT, they put you on your trainers schedule. Seems to be the norm.

When you have to work your guard weekend will you still have your regular days off that week from your facility or will you be working 14 days straight including guard days and regular work days? pretty much up to you. You can normally take a day of leave depending on your drive. There are rules about employers giving you enough time to get to your drill. At my unit, plenty of people skip drills and then make them up in bulk. As long as you do 24 drill days and 12 UTA days, you're good. Talk to people at the unit you want to join to see how flexible they are. I can guarantee you're not the only person trying to do this at your local guard base.

Whats pay like for ANG? during basics? during tech school? during deployment? In addition to basis pay, you will get BAH and BAS. If you're married, you will get family separation pay. It should all be in the pay tables. Only your basic pay is taxed.

Regarding to training, what are the major differences between tech school and OKC academy? Training at military facility compared to faa facility? Easier, harder? OKC is easier.

In regards to regulations, are there big differences that are going to make transistion from military controller to FAA controller? They both use the same rule book. There are some differences, but if you can control, you can adapt. There is a different mindset in some ways, but fundamentals are the same.

Sorry so many questions. Just kinda a big decesion, for me. So, im trying to gather as much as I can.

Also, if you would like to list pros and cons, that would be great!!!

Pro- Paid training. Great experience. great people. Free college. Great on your resume. Serve your country. I don't know about CTI personally, but I would never trade my experience in the military for what I know of CTI.

Cons-Marching and stuff gets old. You will be treated as a child during tech school. Some supervisors shouldn't be in charge of... anything.

blakeh · Posted: 06-04-2009, 12:28 AM

ColtsATC and LTKL.

Thanks so much for your responses!

Im actually giving this alot of thought and might actually be doing it! If its alright, I may come back and ask some more questions when they pop into my head.

Im going to the recruiter tomorrow so hopefully he can answer questions. Oh, and after the recruiter I might ask you guys to confirm what he says! No trusting anyone at a recruiting office!! LOL!!!

Thanks again!!

gatormu · Posted: 06-04-2009, 07:45 AM

Hey, I just signed on for ATC with the South Carolina ANG. I qualified for a 20k bonus which they said i will get half after tech school and they told me the other half after 2 years with the ANG. But yeah Colts I'm almost in the same boat, I'll be commuting 6.5 hours for drills until basics... yay

blakeh · Posted: 06-04-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatormu

Hey, I just signed on for ATC with the South Carolina ANG. I qualified for a 20k bonus which they said i will get half after tech school and they told me the other half after 2 years with the ANG. But yeah Colts I'm almost in the same boat, I'll be commuting 6.5 hours for drills until basics... yay

When do you start basics? Or have you already? Im thinking that might be the base I sign up for. Right now, I can relocate anywhere South Carolina was going to be a geo pref I put down on my asap application.

blakeh · Posted: 06-04-2009, 06:13 PM

Curious guys,

Should I go to a recruiter at a base or one not at a base or does it matter?

Also, the recruiter I go to will he be able to help me get signed up in another state. Cause I dont believe the ang is in need of ATC in Colorado. But, South Carolina, Oregon, or Wisconsin, I believe, are all listed as "hot" jobs for ATC. I would love living in either of those states. And I have no problem relocating. Since im only living in Co for cti school.

Also, when i get hired through FAA and if they move me too far away to drive for my weekends would it be possible to transfer to a base that is closer to where the FAA puts me?

Also, what score do you need on the asvab?

gatormu · Posted: 06-04-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blakeh

When do you start basics? Or have you already? Im thinking that might be the base I sign up for. Right now, I can relocate anywhere South Carolina was going to be a geo pref I put down on my asap application.

I don't know when I'm off to basics, I should find out the weekend after this when I go up for my first drill. As for your other questions; I had to go to the recruiter. I had tried to do it here in florida but the recruiter said I would need to contact a recruiter at a base where ATC was offered. However, it may be possible to do your processing near home but it'll take recruiters working together and also will involve your info getting transferred around which may be risky. That's why I opted to take a few days off and drive up to SC and knock everything out. I did intake, asvab, MEPS and then enlisted all in 3 days. I think all you need is a 55 on the mechanical? not sure though but if you made it into college I would say you're golden. I finished the test in an 1.25 hrs and pretty much got 99th percentiles on everything. Not sure about the base transfer thing. I would guess you'd prob be outta luck

Air National Guard Questions..

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