Job Description: Provide air traffic control services in air traffic control towers, radar air traffic control facilities, fleet area control and surveillance facilities, and air operations offices ashore and afloat; operate radio communication systems and light signals; direct aircraft under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR); operate surveillance radar, precision radar, data link approach systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment, and other air traffic control equipment; respond to emergency air traffic situations; maintain current flight planning information and reference material; and assist pilots in preparation and processing flight plans.
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Branch: Navy
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Average Rating:
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Designation: AC
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Average Salary: $40,198
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Entry Type: Enlisted
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ASVAB: VE+AR+MK+MC= 220
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Degree: High School or GED
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Age: 17-39
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Citizen: U.S. or Permanent Resident
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Category: Aviation

28 Average Age

2,331 Number Employed

7.0 YearsAverage Employment
Reviews
Pros: Pay, People, Security, Lots of Freedom
Cons: Occasional extended working hours
Location: Carrollton, GA
The navy is a great place to grow and learn and get you college degree paid for. I would encourage any kid just out of high school to enter and enjoy, travel as far as you can.
Pros: Mentally challenging, no manual labor, held to high standard, great paying job civilian side.
Cons: Everything the Navy requires that has nothing to do Air Traffic Controller.
Location: Washington
Air traffic control is a challenging job. Tough schooling, constantly studying and training. Shore duty air traffic control is equivalent to working at a civilian airport. I haven’t been to a ship and don’t plan to. I don’t want to deal with the sea side of the Navy. The navy requires too much bs that has nothing to do with air traffic control. In addition, it makes zero sense that a civilian air traffic controller can make upwards of 100-150k, while a military air traffic controller doing the same level of controlling can only be paid X amount of dollars based on rank. I shouldn’t be paid the same amount of money as someone who does a different level of work l. Military air traffic controllers should be fast tracked to officers in order to stay competitive with the civilian side. I have submitted my application to the Federal Aviation Administration and hope to get picked up. I want to be paid accordingly for the work I do, not the rank I wear. As far as controlling goes, it is stressful and fun at the same time. It is a great feeling to be able to tell pilots what to do in order to both adhere to my plan as well as to keep them alive. I enjoy the constant studying. I enjoy the constant training. I strive to be better controller everyday, so the books and constant work just add to my skills. This rating is not the weak. Physical capabilities aren’t important. We only the brightest. Our school has a 1/3 failure rate. We are one of the few ratings that a person can be kicked out of, whether it be the inability to qualify as a controller, or getting suspended too many times due to piss port controlling.