Air National Guard

Yea, the only way you get the 52 weeks after certification in the guard/reserves is to deploy or go the contract tower route
 
It says here 72 days for tech training. ah well, I cant do AF anyway because you have to be full time.

I’d have to assume 72 training days, which would be 14 weeks and some change.
 
That’s accurate. I was there from 3rd November ‘09 until the 3rd week of March ‘10
 
I’d have to assume 72 training days, which would be 14 weeks and some change.

It was about 4 months for me, about Feb 1 - May 16th, and that was without having to wait in between classes or washing back so it could be longer if that happens to you. Also, I haven’t heard any differently so I’m assuming every other Friday is still a down day so no school.
 
It was about 4 months for me, about Feb 1 - May 16th, and that was without having to wait in between classes or washing back so it could be longer if that happens to you. Also, I haven’t heard any differently so I’m assuming every other Friday is still a down day so no school.
Yeah but they work 9 hour days to compensate for the time lost. So still "40 hour work weeks"
 
I guess you can also eventually ask to transfer from tracon/tower to enroute?

If you started tech school in the military but haven't started a facility, you'd still fall under "no experience" right?
Theoretically you could probably request that transferred, a current FAA controller would likely be able to answer this better.

While In tech school yes you would be "no experience", my experience I applied prior to Army AIT (advanced individual training similar to AF tech school) received my offer while in AIT, went through hiring process was given opportunity to skip FAA basic I choose to complete FAA basic. After AIT I went to a facility and received CTO. I spoke with FAA HR if I complete 52 weeks of rated time my pay during academy would be changed to reflect to experienced bid hire. I personally have not completed the 52 weeks as of this time, nor have I started academy due to military obligation.
 
Theoretically you could probably request that transferred, a current FAA controller would likely be able to answer this better.

While In tech school yes you would be "no experience", my experience I applied prior to Army AIT (advanced individual training similar to AF tech school) received my offer while in AIT, went through hiring process was given opportunity to skip FAA basic I choose to complete FAA basic. After AIT I went to a facility and received CTO. I spoke with FAA HR if I complete 52 weeks of rated time my pay during academy would be changed to reflect to experienced bid hire. I personally have not completed the 52 weeks as of this time, nor have I started academy due to military obligation.

So...you're saying don't do it?

Were you enlisted or reserve? I was thinking of going ahead and sign up for reserve, complete up to tech training, wait to see if I got an tol and fol, then ask to separate (or discharged?).

Sounds like getting certified thru the military is only useful if you're past 30 or graduating high school.
 
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So...you're saying don't do it?

Were you enlisted or reserve? I was thinking of going ahead and sign up for reserve, complete up to tech training, wait to see if I got an tol and fol, then ask to separate (or discharged?).

Sounds like getting certified thru the military is only useful if you're past 30 or graduating high school.
It’s up to you.
If you go Active Duty be sure you are ready for that 6 year contract.
If you go Reserves/Guard you won’t have the 52 weeks for a long time, but NOT 6 years long.

If I were deciding right now I would consider my age especially going Active Duty, IF you get certified you would have until you turn 36, instead of 31 for OTS, to get into the FAA. If it cuts close for you then I wouldn’t do it.
You could also wash out and stuck in a 6 year contract in the AF in a job you hate.
 
It’s up to you.
If you go Active Duty be sure you are ready for that 6 year contract.
If you go Reserves/Guard you won’t have the 52 weeks for a long time, but NOT 6 years long.

If I were deciding right now I would consider my age especially going Active Duty, IF you get certified you would have until you turn 36, instead of 31 for OTS, to get into the FAA. If it cuts close for you then I wouldn’t do it.
You could also wash out and stuck in a 6 year contract in the AF in a job you hate.
Quite frankly... if you wash out in the air force, you probably dont be long as a controller in general.
 
So...you're saying don't do it?

Were you enlisted or reserve? I was thinking of going ahead and sign up for reserve, complete up to tech training, wait to see if I got an tol and fol, then ask to separate (or discharged?).

Sounds like getting certified thru the military is only useful if you're past 30 or graduating high school.

No, the earlier you go the military route, the better. After a 6 year contract with the military, you’d have your 52 weeks and can claim veterans preference. It’s more beneficial to someone who will have time before the age cutoff after their military time is up
 
Quite frankly... if you wash out in the air force, you probably dont be long as a controller in general.
Lol. A washout once said he was still going to apply for the FAA and that the trainers didn’t know anything and tried getting letters of recommendations from civilians..
 
So...you're saying don't do it?

Were you enlisted or reserve? I was thinking of going ahead and sign up for reserve, complete up to tech training, wait to see if I got an tol and fol, then ask to separate (or discharged?).

Sounds like getting certified thru the military is only useful if you're past 30 or graduating high school.

dude stay out of the air force.
 
So...you're saying don't do it?

Were you enlisted or reserve? I was thinking of going ahead and sign up for reserve, complete up to tech training, wait to see if I got an tol and fol, then ask to separate (or discharged?).

Sounds like getting certified thru the military is only useful if you're past 30 or graduating high school.
I'm saying your experience may vary, it works for me I am reserve ATC being mobilized for deployment they are holding my spot until I get back for FAA academy. For me if I didn't get picked up I could apply to DOD facilities. 2 birds 1 Stone. I set up multiple option for myself and chose the most prosperous but if the FAA fail thru I had DOD and if that fail as well I could go active reserve.
 
So after reading through this thread (thanks for the info btw, very helpful) here is my situation and I have a general gameplan but I'll take some good advice if you're willing to help out.

I attempted the FAA Academy for ATC for the terminal option in Sept 17 - Dec 17. To make that long story short, I failed by 3.31 on the final local run. After sitting in the sims for a few weeks during the academy it really hit me like, "I really want to do this and I'll take all the "problems" that come with it" but I ended up failing so I'm in a tough spot. I waited until now because I was hoping to possibly get in on the N90 OTS bid, but I found out yesterday, my status went from "referred" to "Not Hired" I'm 24 with a Bachelors, not married and I'm thinking Air Force or even the reserves, as long as I can get into the FAA when I'm done.

The plan in my head goes like this;
AF - Sign up for 6, get all my ratings and at around the 4th year (to make sure I've accumulated enough time for the FAA to take my experience) then try to transfer to the reserves so I can finish my contract but have enough time to get into the FAA before 31.

Guard - Get a CTO or as much as I can and apply for a Contract tower (luckily there is one around me) work the contract tower and build up enough time for the FAA to recognize the experience and get in that way, possibly before 30.

Thoughts? I'm eager to get in and work at it but I get nervous with the whole military thing. I don't want to get screwed out of ATC and stuck with something else. I'll be taking the ASVAB on the 21st to see if I even qualify but the more info/advice going in, I'll be happier with.

Thanks guys.
 
So after reading through this thread (thanks for the info btw, very helpful) here is my situation and I have a general gameplan but I'll take some good advice if you're willing to help out.

I attempted the FAA Academy for ATC for the terminal option in Sept 17 - Dec 17. To make that long story short, I failed by 3.31 on the final local run. After sitting in the sims for a few weeks during the academy it really hit me like, "I really want to do this and I'll take all the "problems" that come with it" but I ended up failing so I'm in a tough spot. I waited until now because I was hoping to possibly get in on the N90 OTS bid, but I found out yesterday, my status went from "referred" to "Not Hired" I'm 24 with a Bachelors, not married and I'm thinking Air Force or even the reserves, as long as I can get into the FAA when I'm done.

The plan in my head goes like this;
AF - Sign up for 6, get all my ratings and at around the 4th year (to make sure I've accumulated enough time for the FAA to take my experience) then try to transfer to the reserves so I can finish my contract but have enough time to get into the FAA before 31.

Guard - Get a CTO or as much as I can and apply for a Contract tower (luckily there is one around me) work the contract tower and build up enough time for the FAA to recognize the experience and get in that way, possibly before 30.

Thoughts? I'm eager to get in and work at it but I get nervous with the whole military thing. I don't want to get screwed out of ATC and stuck with something else. I'll be taking the ASVAB on the 21st to see if I even qualify but the more info/advice going in, I'll be happier with.

Thanks guys.

Guy I know washed out of the academy and works contract tower right now. He got turned down for this last prior experience bid. You may be out of luck for the FAA.

Also if you go active duty just know that there is a high probability that they will not let you go at your 4 year mark. It is possible with palace chase but manning for ATC is at the worst that I've seen it in 6 years. If you want to PM me for some more info I'm cool with that.
 
Not AF, and not military ATC, was a ground side in the USMC. I can promise you that the military will not let you go early, and on top of that any discharge that isnt under the honorable category will most likely disqualify you for federal positions. Sure the AF is soft and corporatey but it's still the military, dont bank on it going according to your plans.
 
Well if I can't leave early, it's not the end of the world. I have until 36 to get back into the FAA. That'll be more than enough time to fulfill my commitment.
 
Honestly I think going guard while I’m FAA will more or less just break up the monotony of working at the same place.
 
Honestly I think going guard while I’m FAA will more or less just break up the monotony of working at the same place.

I'm a guard pilot going to the academy next month...I'll let you know how it goes. I have definitely appreciated having a change in pace, but balancing two jobs that require a lot of invested time may be difficult.
 
Honestly I think going guard while I’m FAA will more or less just break up the monotony of working at the same place.
I would re class into another MOS though, I'm guard right now and it breaks the cycle of controlling. Plus Guard is giving out 20K bonuses like it's candy.
 
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