[zhillz]

I recently decided to join the Military and I have been doing some research on it. My step dad was in the Army and strongly recommended the AF, so thats where I started my research. The first job that caught my attention was an Air Traffic Controller and I'm 90% sure this is what I would like to enter as. I say 90% because I haven't and wont be able to talk to any recruiters until Monday and I still haven't taken the asvab, this is just preliminary research. Reading some of these threads I'm putting together some things but I don't know all of your guys acronyms lol...


So what are some other options besides joining the AF for 6 years? I just turned 20 so I'm not in a rush but 6 years is a bit of a commitment. I'm NOT going to join the military unless they give me ATC in writing, but are there other options like reserves?

What is:
CTi
VRA
DOD
RMC
CTO
CPC

Sorry for being such a noob...

[Radium]

you can do reserve ATC, read some of the other posts on here we go fairly far in depth into the options.
While all branches can give you some decent ATC, the standard of living and ease of life is a lot closer to "normal" than anything else. There is NO better job in the military than Air Traffic... tho lots of people know that so you can somtimes expect a wait if thats the only job you will sign the dotted line for.

[Matty13]

Navy will guarantee ATC for a 5 year commitment. Marines may assign you to ATC. Whatever you do, get it in writing or you don't have it and won't get it.

[zhillz]

How exactly does it work if I just do ANG? How long are you in the ANG? how long before I'm certified and can join the FAA?

[atcguruaf]

Originally Posted by zhillz

I recently decided to join the Military and I have been doing some research on it. My step dad was in the Army and strongly recommended the AF, so thats where I started my research. The first job that caught my attention was an Air Traffic Controller and I'm 90% sure this is what I would like to enter as. I say 90% because I haven't and wont be able to talk to any recruiters until Monday and I still haven't taken the asvab, this is just preliminary research. Reading some of these threads I'm putting together some things but I don't know all of your guys acronyms lol...


So what are some other options besides joining the AF for 6 years? I just turned 20 so I'm not in a rush but 6 years is a bit of a commitment. I'm NOT going to join the military unless they give me ATC in writing, but are there other options like reserves?

What is:
CTi
VRA
DOD
RMC
CTO
CPC

Sorry for being such a noob...

CTI - College Training Initiative (basically college for ATC)
VRA - Veterans Readjustment Act (or it could be reappointment act, if you go to the military and do not retire, you'd apply under this one)
DOD - Department of Defense (You'd be on the GS scale and typically will work as a civilian on a military installation, non FAA. If you went this route and THEN wanted to go FAA, you could apply under this)
RMC - Retired Military Controllers (Once you hit 31, you can't apply for the FAA, UNLESS you're a retired military controller)
CTO - Certified Tower Operator (If you were CTI or VRA then went to a Federal Contract Tower (FCT), you'd be able to apply under this one. It's basically saying you have trained and worked as a fully qualified controller)
CPC - Certified Professional Controller (The title you hold once you meet the minimum requirements to work by yourself, when I say "minimum requirements" I'm talking whatever it takes to receive your FULL pay (the raise after D3)

[zhillz]

thanks for the clearing up of some of those acronyms, there should be a sticky for them lol...

Originally Posted by DOD_ATC

Is you ultimate goal to be hired on by the FAA, or do you just want to serve your country?

If it's the latter, good on you, if it's the first....apply OTS. No book camp, no deployments, no military BS (which there can and will be A LOT of).

What exactly is OTS and how does this method work.

[Radium]

off the street. You apply when one is open (one is NOT at this time, no real eta on when one will open). Then get asked to take the test, if you score good enough you eventually get hired. It is the absolute slowest hiring process from time of app to working faa... but if you DO get selected it does save you the 4 years in the military/college.
But, as you can read here, OTS people are FREAKING out that the FAA is gonna stop picking up OTS people, for a number of reasons.

[DASAUTO]

Originally Posted by Radium

off the street. You apply when one is open (one is NOT at this time, no real eta on when one will open). Then get asked to take the test, if you score good enough you eventually get hired. It is the absolute slowest hiring process from time of app to working faa... but if you DO get selected it does save you the 4 years in the military/college.
But, as you can read here, OTS people are FREAKING out that the FAA is gonna stop picking up OTS people, for a number of reasons.

LOL..OTS are freaking out. Why? They got lucky for a few years. There are plenty of more qualified applicants than them, so they should just take it for what it is....LUCK. I'm applying, 10 years experience, with a degree and I am continuing my education.

OTS is NOT very common, so people applying OTS should not put all their eggs in one basket...if you really want ATC, then continue your education (at CTI school) or get military experience.

[zhillz]

Alright, well i have deff decided on the Military, now I'm going to see what branch when I talk to them tomorrow. Either AF or Navy...I would rather go AF but if the navy is 5 years with some form to get out in 4???? How hard is that to accomplish? From what i read its undermanned field so is this even possible in this job?

[zhillz]

I went to the Navy recruiter and his assistant was about useless... I was glad when the real guy walked in and took over.The AF was closed with a sign saying "gone till 230"...i went around 3:45 and the sign was still there and all locked up... oh well i know somethings i need to get done before hand now.