Navy controller

Heyitsryan Newcomer

So after sitting down and talking to my parents about my situation, I've decided to enlist in the Navy.Out of all of the branches of the military, I feel that it suits me the best given my current situation.

I'll have a secure spot for ATC ( asvab score was 88) and can be done within the next five years.My overall goal is to work for the FAA, and since my years in the military can be used towards retirement, I feel that this is my best option.

I've been reading up as much as I can on this forum, but I'm still a bit confused on some of the abbreviations used. I've read that in order to get a job with the FAA you need to be CTO and TRACON certified, which means that I would need to be stationed at a land base and not sent out to sea correct?

How about would I go doing that? I read that you get to pick your enlistment after a school, depending on your class rank, but which places in particular offer these certifications?

Also,what exactly is CTO and TRACON?I understand that if I'm sent on a ship that I wont be able to obtain these,but since I'm tehre for five years I was hoping that I would still get a shot at it.

I apologize for all of the questions, I'm just hoping to get a better understanding of what I'm getting myself into before I climb aboard.Thanks in advance!


Regards,
Ryan Jayawardena

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

Just so you know, military time doesn't go TOWARDS retirement, it's added on at the end after you retire. It doesn't let you retire any earlier.

You will take the Airmen's Written Test, which is also called a CTO, at the school. This is not the CTO that is needed for the FAA. Outside of FACSFAC's, I think all NAS have towers, and some NS do too.

If you get a shore facility, when you check out in the tower, you get a CTO or Control Tower Operator certificate, upon which time you will hand them your paper with the test score from the CTO/AWT exam.

Heyitsryan Newcomer

What are FACSFAC's and NAS? I'm having difficulty understanding the abbreviations, so if you don't mind spelling them out please do.


So wherether or not I get a Shore facility or one on a ship is based off of my class rank, correct?

Thanks for the advice? What exactly is TRACON?

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

FACSFAC= Fleet and Area Control Surveillance Facility. They work RADAR for all Warning and Restricted Areas.

NAS= Naval Air Station

NS= Naval Station

TRACON= Terminal RADAR Approach Control

RATCF= RADAR Air Traffic Control Facility (not as much airspace as a TRACON)

GCA= Ground Controlled Approach (precision approach (PAR), surveillance approach (ASR), etc.


You only get to pick from the orders that are available. In order to get the best pick out of what is offered, get the highest grade in your class. Going to a ship isn't bad, but if you do, do your best to get E-5 before you leave. It helps you with training when you get to your shore facility.

Roach Rookie Ft. Worth

I was in the Navy for six years as a SAR Swimmer/Blackhawk crew chief. I got 1300 flight hours and was stationed almost everywhere the Navy is. If you got any questions hit me up.

sailor_pianist Senior Member Birmingham, AL

Hey, I just had a quick question for you. I scored a 95 on my ASVAB and was still told that ATC was overmanned and unavailable, and I went to MEPS at the beginning of FSY 2010 in October. Did your recruiter say they had an ATC spot available? If not, you may be waiting on one for months. I got lucky and was able to get another DEPper's spot because she refused to ship.

Just wanted to give you a heads up.

Maybe we'll see each other at A school though, I'm also going ATC in the Navy, and leave in June.

Heyitsryan Newcomer

Really? I was told that there are plenty of positions available. Regardless, I'm getting the delayed deployment for a year so that I can finish my degree. Thanks for the advice everyone! It is greatly appreciated.

I wish there was a multiquote option,lol.
Roach: Thanks and I will hit you up very soon.
Sailor:Are you going on board first?

sailor_pianist Senior Member Birmingham, AL

I really hope not. I'm gonna bust my a** during A school so I can get shore duty. That's really surprising to hear that your recruiter says there are plenty of AC positions available, that was definitely not the case when I went to MEPS two months ago...

hmmmm

sailor_pianist Senior Member Birmingham, AL

Also, would it be wiser to just choose a sea billet right out of A school to get it over with, or would it be better to choose shore duty first if at all possible? I would hate to spend my first 2 years on shore getting certified only to have to go to a ship for the next 3.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

To correct the retirement statement: Your military time counts toward your total years of Federal Service only. To have your military time add toward your retirement you need to buy back your military time. Once you get into the FAA they will explain this to you.

Congratulations and thank you for deciding to serve in the military,