ANG and FAA simultaneously

atc_calvin · Posted: 06-19-2009, 08:59 PM

So here is my situation:

I've been in the Air Force, active duty ATC, for approximately 7 years. I'm currently on my 2nd enlistment, and I am thinking about trying to Palace Chase into the Guard to become an ANG Controller while also applying for/getting into the FAA. I have already been deployed while on active duty, so I can apply under VRA.

My questions are:

Is this possible? Can you be ANG ATC and an FAA controller at the same time?

How do ATC drill weekends work for controllers that are not full-time guard in reference to proficiency? Do you have the same proficiency time standards as normal active duty, and if so, how do those requirements get fulfilled if you only work 1 weekend a month?

How well do being in the ANG and being in the FAA mesh?

Will my being in the guard effect my chances of being hired into the FAA? Do the same employment protections apply to the FAA when it comes to Guard/Reserve members? More specifically, can the FAA fire me due to being called to duty for a deployment or otherwise with the ANG?

I like being in the military, but I also want to start working on a career in the FAA.

Any information anyone can provide me would be greatly appreciated!

Roddy_Piper · Posted: 06-20-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc_calvin

Is this possible? Can you be ANG ATC and an FAA controller at the same time?

absolutely. talk to ColtsATC. he's either in the guard or in the reserves and also a center controller for the FAA. and he is also currently deployed to the desert.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc_calvin

How do ATC drill weekends work for controllers that are not full-time guard in reference to proficiency? Do you have the same proficiency time standards as normal active duty, and if so, how do those requirements get fulfilled if you only work 1 weekend a month?

again talk to ColtsATC. i have no idea how that works.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc_calvin

How well do being in the ANG and being in the FAA mesh?

it meshes very well. the reason is because both are government jobs and it's illegal for the FAA to discriminate against you because of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc_calvin

Will my being in the guard effect my chances of being hired into the FAA? Do the same employment protections apply to the FAA when it comes to Guard/Reserve members? More specifically, can the FAA fire me due to being called to duty for a deployment or otherwise with the ANG?

they CANNOT fire you for being called to duty. if so they are breaking some major laws.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc_calvin

I like being in the military, but I also want to start working on a career in the FAA.

i say go for it brother. but do u really need to palace chase in order to get into the guard? or are u trying to become an AOF or something like that?

ColtsATC · Posted: 06-20-2009, 06:12 AM

I'll answer all your questions after I get off shift in about 3 hours, but real quickly...good luck getting palace chase out being in ATC. Critical manned jobs never get palace chased. I haven't seen or heard of it happening since i've been in the guard. Not to say it hasn't happened, but I've never seen it.

ColtsATC · Posted: 06-20-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc_calvin

So here is my situation:

I've been in the Air Force, active duty ATC, for approximately 7 years. I'm currently on my 2nd enlistment, and I am thinking about trying to Palace Chase into the Guard to become an ANG Controller while also applying for/getting into the FAA. I have already been deployed while on active duty, so I can apply under VRA.

My questions are:

Is this possible? Can you be ANG ATC and an FAA controller at the same time?

Oh ya, in fact the majority of my guard unit (including me) works for the FAA.

How do ATC drill weekends work for controllers that are not full-time guard in reference to proficiency? Do you have the same proficiency time standards as normal active duty, and if so, how do those requirements get fulfilled if you only work 1 weekend a month? You will get your initial rating, then when you come monthly you just get a "special" rating (that's what it's actually called) and that's about it. Nothing fancy

How well do being in the ANG and being in the FAA mesh? Guard weekends can be a pain in the ass at times, but you don't HAVE to go the weekend they say they do. You can come in for 4 days and do 2 months worth of drills at once. Most units are pretty flexible and will work around your FAA schedule for the most part. FAA will do the same.

Will my being in the guard effect my chances of being hired into the FAA? Do the same employment protections apply to the FAA when it comes to Guard/Reserve members? More specifically, can the FAA fire me due to being called to duty for a deployment or otherwise with the ANG? No they can't fire you. Hell I'm in Iraq right now...and they just pretty much have to deal with it.

I like being in the military, but I also want to start working on a career in the FAA.

Any information anyone can provide me would be greatly appreciated!

That's all I got for ya now.

atc_calvin · Posted: 06-22-2009, 05:24 PM

Thanks for the quick responses guys! I've got a few more questions for you:

How do ANG deployments compare to Active Duty deployments?

Are ANG deployments strictly voluntary? Mandatory? A little of both?

While deployed with the ANG, am I right to assume that you get paid the same way you would if you were on active duty? BAS, BAH for home of record area, etc?

I've heard that ANG deployments vary in their length, ranging from 2 months - 12 months, where as active duty deployments which are mostly 6 months or 12 months. Is this true? If not, how long are the ANG deployment tours?

That's all for now. I'm sure I'll think of more soon.

Thanks again for all the info!

ColtsATC · Posted: 06-22-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc_calvin

Thanks for the quick responses guys! I've got a few more questions for you:

How do ANG deployments compare to Active Duty deployments?

Are ANG deployments strictly voluntary? Mandatory? A little of both?
They are almost always voluntary at the moment. I'm deployed now and every ANG person here volunteered. No one in my unit has been on a non-vol in YEARS. They do happen, but at the moment they don't. There is always enough people that want to go.

While deployed with the ANG, am I right to assume that you get paid the same way you would if you were on active duty? BAS, BAH for home of record area, etc? Yep. You are on active duty orders so it's pretty much exactly the same.

I've heard that ANG deployments vary in their length, ranging from 2 months - 12 months, where as active duty deployments which are mostly 6 months or 12 months. Is this true? If not, how long are the ANG deployment tours? Most deployments are 3 or 6 months. I volunteered for a 6 month. A guy that just got here is here for 9 months. Guard guys have the option of splitting up deployments usually if they have someone to split it with. I've heard of 2 month deployment, but they are very frowned upon, especially by active duty chief controllers, and usually you just get rated in assist and sit there and rot in the assist the entire time.

That's all for now. I'm sure I'll think of more soon.

Thanks again for all the info!

see above blah blah blah 10 characters

atc4life · Posted: 07-02-2009, 07:17 PM

I am a Army National Guard air traffic controller and a remote pilot operator at the Academy in Oklahoma City. i have never held a facility rating but i did graduate from a military air traffic control school. I have been waiting to get into the FAA for two and half years. i am in a very interesting position, i don't qualify for VRA because i have spent all my time in the service as a reservist. i have applied for every off the street announcement as well, but i haven't heard back from any of them because i scored a 81 on the ATSAT test. i understand that i am in the qualified category and they pull from the well qualified category first. not to boast but i think that i am more qualified then the average Joe coming off the street i am at least a certified air traffic controller. i have the "pink" card but it has no ratings on it but at least i have some experience. it is my goal to become an air traffic controller, its all i want to do but i just cant seem to get hired. is there any suggestions that you guys can throw my way. i would sure appreciate it. Thanks

Pants81 · Posted: 07-02-2009, 08:05 PM

atc4life, keep doing what your doing, keep applying under vra and pub bids...if not hired in a year from your last test date then retake the test and i am sure you will do better. who knows maybe you will be picked up by then or maybe you will get a meaningful qual. if not use that new gi bill on cti...good luck bud

atc4life · Posted: 07-02-2009, 08:48 PM

yeah i know its just so frustrating when you work along side Academy students that don't take the course seriously and fail out not knowing how good they have it being in and then you get someone like me that wants to get in so much who cant for some reason. i took the test in Nov 07 so i have waited the year but i can not retake the test until they release another Public Announcement. Ugh just venting i guess

BNSF · Posted: 07-02-2009, 08:58 PM

That being said, do you know how bad it sucks not being employable with over 10 yrs of experience because you are 18 months over your 31st birthday? I agree with you....these kids have no idea what it means to have such an oppurtunity only to piss it away!!!

ANG and FAA simultaneously

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