Getting your CTO during your first enlistment?

sailor_pianist Senior Member Birmingham, AL

Is it possible? I'll be going into the Navy as an E-3 in Air Traffic Control and was hoping to receive my CTO license before I get out in 5 years. I wanted to work for the FAA afterward (if I decide not to stay in the Navy), but now I'm hearing it's close to impossible to get a CTO license during your first enlistment?

Am I just screwed? I can't reenlist because that would put me over the age limit for the FAA when I got out.

Any advice??!

ATC_MacGyver MacGyver with the bears.

i have two CTO's from one enlistment in the navy. it all depends. mostly on you.

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

Shoot for a slower shore facility, overseas or stateside. When picking orders, preference goes by GPA, so do the best you can. I got my CTO in one enlistment, kinda. I cross-rated to ATC and reenlisted when I graduated AC "A" School. I got my CTO at my only ATC duty location.

jonesad82 Newcomer Virginia

It is very possible. I got a TRACON ticket and a CTO in one enlistment. Also spent 3 years on a carrier!

jbryant Rookie

I am still in the Navy, and I got my cto and I have been in 4 years know, getting out jan 2011. It all depends on where you get stationed. You pick your duty station near the end of A school. All depends on what your GPA, and what rank you are in your class. I went to the USS Enterprise first, then came to NASO air det norfolk. We have two towers, heliport and chambers tower. I am working on my 2nd CTO from there. So the answer to your question is, Yes, you can, but it all depends on where you get stationed. If you go to shore duty first, then get stuck on a ship before you get out, then you will get screwed because you wont be working 52 consecutive weeks in the last 2 years with that CTO. Any quals you get on the ship dosent count for the FAA. But it worked out for me and a couple of other people I know that are already working in the FAA. But sorry for the long answer but hope it helps you out.

sailor_pianist Senior Member Birmingham, AL

I was thinking about requesting the Naval Air Station in Atlanta, Ga if I do well enough in A school. Is that a good location to choose or would it be too busy for me to get my CTO?

sailor_pianist Senior Member Birmingham, AL

May I ask, where are some of the slower shore facilities?

sleepy Rookie

someone from my a school class got fws at their first facility (tower/tracon), came in as an e-1. most of the navy guys at my facility also had a cto during their first enlistment. it can be done. as long as you aren't sent to base ops to rot then you'll be ok.

jbryant Rookie

I doubt that will be a choice when you pick for orders. I wanted the west coast, but the only east coast was available and there was only one shore duty facility to pick from, and it was in Italy. I think if you do get shore duty you will only get 3 year orders and unless you dont go to a low level facility it will be hard, but it can be done.

sailor_pianist Senior Member Birmingham, AL

Another user said you can't get rated at Italy or Japan, so I know I don't want to choose those places. Hopefully I get a CONUS Naval Air Station.