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AC Career Guide

Navy

AC: Air Traffic Controller

Career transition guide for Navy Air Traffic Controller (AC)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for AC veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Air Traffic Controller

$138K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist CertificationExperience with civilian ATC systems

Aviation Safety Inspector

$110K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Aviation Safety Inspector CertificationKnowledge of FAA regulationsCivilian aviation safety standards

Airport Operations Specialist

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Airport Operations experienceKnowledge of FAA Part 139 regulationsCommercial Airport Operations certification

Emergency Management Specialist

$80K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency management certification (e.g., FEMA)Disaster planning experienceIncident Command System (ICS) training

Logistics Analyst

$78K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management principlesData analysis skillsExperience with logistics software

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your AC training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Air Traffic Controllers must maintain a comprehensive understanding of the airspace, aircraft positions, weather conditions, and potential hazards at all times.

This translates to an ability to quickly assess complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and make proactive decisions to maintain safety and efficiency in dynamic situations.

Rapid Prioritization

Controllers constantly juggle multiple aircraft movements, changing weather conditions, and emergency situations, requiring them to quickly assess and prioritize tasks to ensure the safest and most efficient flow of air traffic.

The ability to quickly analyze situations, identify critical issues, and prioritize actions under pressure is invaluable in many civilian roles.

Procedural Compliance

Air Traffic Control relies heavily on strict adherence to established procedures and regulations to maintain safety and order in the airspace. Controllers must consistently follow these protocols.

A commitment to following established protocols, understanding the importance of compliance, and ensuring accuracy are critical in regulated industries.

Team Synchronization

While often working independently, Air Traffic Controllers must seamlessly coordinate with pilots, other controllers, and support personnel to ensure safe and efficient air traffic management.

Effectively communicating, coordinating, and collaborating with others to achieve common goals translates well to team-oriented civilian environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 13-1081.00

You've been responsible for the precise and safe movement of aircraft. As a Logistics Coordinator, you'll use those same skills to orchestrate the efficient flow of goods and materials, ensuring timely delivery and minimizing disruptions. Your ability to prioritize tasks and maintain situational awareness will be invaluable in managing complex supply chains.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've trained to handle high-stress situations and maintain calm under pressure, just like you did as an Air Traffic Controller. You're adept at rapid decision-making and clear communication, which will allow you to coordinate resources, manage information flow, and implement emergency plans effectively.

Project Manager

SOC 11-9021.00

You've demonstrated the ability to manage complex operations with multiple moving parts, which translates directly to project management. Your experience with planning, coordinating, and executing tasks according to strict deadlines will enable you to lead projects to successful completion.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Air Traffic Control School, Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Airspace Management
  • Radar Procedures
  • Meteorology
  • Federal Aviation Regulations
  • Air Traffic Control Equipment Operation
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Flight Planning
  • Communication Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist Certification70% covered

While military ATC training is comprehensive, differences exist in specific regulations, phraseology, and equipment used by the FAA. Additional study of FAA Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, and familiarization with civilian radar systems is needed.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)30% covered

The CAM certification focuses on the broader aspects of aviation management, including business management, safety management systems, and resource management. Study these areas, focusing on civilian aviation practices.

Recommended Next Certifications

Airport Certified Employee (ACE) OperationsCertified Member (CM) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)Aviation Safety Officer (ASO)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/SPN-43C Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATC-RBS)Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR)
AN/SPN-46(V) Precision Approach Landing System (PALS)Instrument Landing System (ILS)
NAVSSI (Navigation Sensor System Interface)Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
UHF/VHF Radios (various models)Civil Aviation VHF/UHF Communication Systems
Flight Data Processing System (FDPS)Air Traffic Management (ATM) Systems
AN/URN-25 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN)VOR/DME (VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment)
Tower Lighting Systems (various)Airport Lighting Systems

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