Should I join the Air Guard to be ATC??

Resilient Newcomer

I am patiently waiting for the pubnat 7 panels but I am wondering if I don't get in, should I join the Air Guard reserves to become an ATC? I am broke so there's essentially no way I can pay for schooling... I am currently turning 25 yrs old this month and I was wondering if I would even have enough time??

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated!

markthetape Senior Member

that would be the last thing you should do. depending on your age if you want to go into the armed services as a atcer you should go air force or navy, they have the best facilities and control the most aircraft.

mills3ff Junior Member Port Orange

As a former Marine I would do the Air Guard. From your post, you seem to be looking for the "in" to FAA ATC. The Guard would be a good part time, relxed environment (unlike the Marines). It would also help you become eligible for VRA Posts. In addition you would have the GI Bill. You can draw GI Bill for extra Pay while your training at Oklahoma City. You'll be entitled to lots of other VA benefits, and most importantly you will have served your country. I considered going back in the Service after college, and the Air Guard was at the top of my list.

Radium Epic Member SoCal Tracon

Air Guard is pimp, give you some $$$ and ATC knowledge while waiting on ur PUBNAT to get picked up... and meanwhile... you can perhaps get rated/deployment and apply VRA

so instead of making like 9$ an hr @ the FAA acad, you will make 18$ + a 20K signon bonus (oh and not be stuck @ the acad for 1/2 a year!).

blakeh Trusted Member SLN

Im joining this Monday Aug 17th @ 1pm for Cheyenne ANG! Im excited! It been a long process and a hard one to get moving. If your even thinking about it, start talking to a recruiter. The sign up process has given me a hard time, but im finally here and about to sign on the dotted line (only if it says ATC).

Yes you do have enough time! The process will take, after you start basics, no more than two years till your able to apply with the FAA.

Honestly, you cant beat the training that the military will provide. Plus, your going to get paid for the entire thing. Hell, im getting paid to walk in and sign the contract. And some bases do have sign on bonus which is nice. Seriously, tho, if you find an opening for ATC at any ANG base take with or without a bonus. ATC is getting harder and harder to get into! Unfortunatly, im not getting a sign on bonus, but im fine with it because this will set me up for the rest of my life with the FAA!! So, im pretty darn happy!!!

mtlatc Epic Member In a bus down by the river!

Three letters AGR...Research it, know it, do it if you can.

atcguruaf Rico Suave AZ

Also, there are certain locations (i.e. klamath falls, OR) where you train and do your 2 weeks a year, 1 weekend a month thing, but you also get hired on as a full-time DoD employee. Do some research on this. It's pretty lucrative if you can get it. Ends up being like GS10 or something, plus your ANG pay.

Something else to consider is that because the Guards and Reserves are state run, the benefit(s) you'll get from each state will vary. For example, because ATC is a "special" career field (by special I mean hard to find manning), some places offer 100% tuition assistance, PLUS you still get your GI Bill.... or you get extra kickers to your GI Bill... or medical, etc.

Talk to a recruiter and do some research. It's not a bad way to go. Looking back, I probably would have went this route instead of going active. I was active AF, but with everything the ANG offers, I would have been better off financially going there! Good luck.

ColtsATC Trusted Contributor Indy

Our guard base full timers make GS-11 plus SSR