7391 Career Guide
7391: Air Traffic Control Technician
Career transition guide for Navy Air Traffic Control Technician (7391)
Translate Your 7391 Experience Now
Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.
Start Free TranslationCivilian Career Pathways
Top civilian roles for 7391 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Air Traffic Controller
Avionics Technician
Skills to develop:
Electronics Technician
Skills to develop:
Telecommunications Technician
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 7391 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
ATC Technicians constantly monitor the airspace, weather conditions, and aircraft status to maintain a safe and efficient flow of air traffic. They must anticipate potential conflicts and adapt to changing conditions in real-time.
This translates to an exceptional ability to perceive and understand the environment, identify potential problems, and make informed decisions in dynamic situations.
Rapid Prioritization
In high-pressure situations, ATC Techs must quickly assess the urgency of different tasks and prioritize them accordingly to ensure the safety of aircraft and personnel.
This ability to rapidly prioritize tasks and make quick decisions under pressure is valuable in many civilian roles where time is of the essence.
Procedural Compliance
Air Traffic Control relies heavily on strict adherence to established procedures and regulations to maintain safety and order. ATC Techs are trained to follow these protocols meticulously.
This ingrained understanding of the importance of procedures and the ability to follow them accurately is highly valued in roles where precision and consistency are critical.
Degraded-Mode Operations
ATC Techs are trained to handle equipment malfunctions, communication failures, and other unexpected events. They must be able to adapt to these degraded modes of operation and maintain control of the airspace.
This translates to the ability to stay calm under pressure, troubleshoot problems, and implement alternative solutions when things don't go according to plan.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to maintain order in chaotic environments. Your skills in situational awareness, rapid prioritization, and degraded-mode operations make you an ideal candidate for coordinating emergency response efforts.
Logistics Coordinator
SOC 13-1081.00You're accustomed to tracking and managing complex systems. Your experience in ensuring the safe and efficient flow of air traffic translates to efficiently coordinating the movement of goods and resources in a supply chain.
Technical Trainer
SOC 25-9044.00You have expert knowledge of ATC systems and procedures and understand the importance of compliance. You have the qualities to train and mentor others to maintain safety and effectiveness.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Air Traffic Control School, Naval Air Station Pensacola
Topics Covered
- •Airspace Management
- •Radar Systems Operation
- •Meteorology for Air Traffic Control
- •Air Traffic Control Procedures
- •Navigation Systems
- •Federal Aviation Regulations
- •Emergency Procedures
- •Flight Data Processing
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Requires study of business management principles, aviation regulations outside of ATC, and development of managerial skills specific to aviation operations.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/SPN-43C Air Search Radar | Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) |
| AN/SPN-46 Precision Approach Radar (PAR) | Precision Approach Radar (PAR) - used at civilian airports |
| AN/SPN-41 Instrument Carrier Landing System (ICLS) | Instrument Landing System (ILS) |
| Naval Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems (ATCALS) | Commercial Air Traffic Control systems (e.g., those from Thales, Indra, or similar providers) |
| Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) | Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) |
| Future Air Navigation System (FANS) | Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) |
Ready to Translate Your Experience?
Our AI-powered translator converts your 7391 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.
Translate My Resume — Free