15Q Career Guide
15Q: Air Traffic Control Operator
Career transition guide for Army Air Traffic Control Operator (15Q)
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Top civilian roles for 15Q veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Air Traffic Controller
Skills to develop:
Aviation Safety Inspector
Skills to develop:
Airport Operations Specialist
Skills to develop:
Emergency Management Specialist
Skills to develop:
Training and Development Specialist
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 15Q training built — and where they transfer.
Rapid Prioritization
Air Traffic Controllers constantly make split-second decisions, triaging aircraft movements based on urgency, proximity, and potential risk, especially in high-traffic scenarios or emergencies.
The ability to quickly assess situations, identify critical needs, and allocate resources accordingly translates into effective decision-making in dynamic environments.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining a 360-degree view of the airspace, weather conditions, aircraft positions, and potential hazards is critical for safe and efficient air traffic control.
A heightened awareness of your surroundings, combined with the ability to anticipate potential problems, makes you adept at risk management and proactive problem-solving.
Procedural Compliance
Strict adherence to FAA and military regulations, standard operating procedures, and safety protocols is paramount in air traffic control to prevent accidents and ensure consistent operations.
Your commitment to following established guidelines, maintaining accuracy, and upholding safety standards ensures reliability and minimizes errors in any process-driven environment.
Team Synchronization
Coordinating effectively with pilots, ground crews, and other controllers is essential for seamless and safe air traffic management, particularly during handoffs and complex maneuvers.
Your ability to collaborate with diverse individuals, communicate clearly, and work towards shared goals makes you a valuable asset in any team-oriented setting.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Air Traffic Controllers are trained to maintain safe and efficient operations even when systems fail, weather turns severe, or personnel are limited. Controllers must quickly implement contingency procedures and adapt to ensure that aviation assets can continue to operate safely.
Your ability to perform in critical situations where there are technology failures, personnel shortages, and other stressful conditions proves your value in high stakes situations.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to maintain calm under pressure and make critical decisions in emergency situations. Your ability to assess risks, coordinate resources, and implement contingency plans makes you an ideal candidate for managing disaster response and recovery efforts.
Logistics Coordinator
SOC 43-3071.00You've been managing the movement of assets in a time-sensitive environment. You're skilled at anticipating and resolving potential bottlenecks and ensuring resources are available when and where they are needed. This makes you well-suited for coordinating complex supply chains and optimizing logistical operations.
Compliance Officer
SOC 13-1041.00You've demonstrated a commitment to adhering to regulations and ensuring operational integrity. Your attention to detail, analytical skills, and understanding of procedural compliance makes you well-equipped to oversee regulatory adherence and mitigate risks in various industries.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Air Traffic Control Operator Course, Fort Sill, OK
Topics Covered
- •Air Traffic Control Procedures
- •Radar Operations
- •Flight Planning
- •Airspace Management
- •Meteorology
- •Navigation Aids (NAVAIDs)
- •Communication Procedures
- •Emergency Procedures
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Differences in FAA regulations, specific equipment used in civilian facilities, and National Airspace System procedures.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/TPN-19 Landing Control Central | Mobile air traffic control tower |
| AN/MPN-14K Airport Surveillance Radar | Civilian airport surveillance radar systems (e.g., those by Raytheon, Thales) |
| Digital Airfield Solutions (DAS) | Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and other airfield management software |
| Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) | NextGen air traffic control systems |
| Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) | VOR/DME (VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment) |
| Airspace Control Order (ACO)/Airspace Tasking Order (ATO) management | FAA Airspace Management System |
| DOD Flight Information Publications (FLIPS) | FAA aeronautical charts and publications (e.g., NACO charts) |
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