Role overview
Military air traffic control (ATC) operators direct the movement of aircraft on and around military airfields. They are the unseen voice in the headset clearing aircraft to taxi, take off, land, hold and maneuver so that missions happen safely and efficiently.
Each branch has its own designation, for example:
- Army – MOS 15Q Air Traffic Control Operator
- Air Force / Air National Guard / Reserve – AFSC 1C1X1 Air Traffic Control Specialist
- Marine Corps – 72XX ATC specialties (not the main focus here, but broadly similar)
Across services, the mission is the same:
Provide safe, orderly and expeditious movement of aircraft on the ground and in controlled airspace using visual, radar and non radar procedures.
If you like aviation, clear communication, and high responsibility in a structured environment—but don’t necessarily want to fly—ATC is one of the most impactful roles you can choose.
What military ATC operators actually do
ATC work is divided between two main environments: the tower and radar approach/departure control. Many controllers work in both over a career.
- Tower control
From the control tower you:
- Manage ground control: taxi routes, runway crossings, vehicles on the airfield
- Manage local control: takeoff and landing clearances, sequence aircraft in the pattern
- Coordinate with radar facilities, fire and rescue, weather, and base operations
Army 15Q and Air Force 1C1X1 descriptions emphasize using visual signals and radio communications to manage aircraft and vehicle movements on the airfield to prevent collisions and maintain an orderly flow.
- Radar approach and departure
In radar facilities (GCA, RAPCON), you:
- Use radar and non radar procedures to sequence arriving and departing aircraft
- Provide vectors, altitude assignments and speed control
- Issue instrument approach clearances and missed approach instructions
- Provide radar services in poor weather and low visibility
The Air Force fact sheet points out that controllers “track aircraft by radar and give voice instructions by radio” to keep them safely separated.
- Flight data and coordination
Behind every clearance is a lot of coordination:
- Process and amend flight plans and departure strips
- Relay information to adjacent facilities and en route centers
- Disseminate NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) and runway condition reports
- Assist with search and rescue or emergency response when communications or radar contact is lost
The Army 15Q career materials note that you “process flight plan data” and help set up tactical ATC facilities in the field.
- Tactical and deployed operations
Military controllers also work in tactical ATC units that can deploy mobile towers and radar systems:
- Establish and run ATC at remote or austere landing zones
- Support air assault and airborne operations
- Integrate with joint / coalition aviation and ground units
Duty descriptions for ATC facility chiefs and NCOs emphasize providing air traffic services at remote training areas and in direct support of divisions and brigade combat teams.
Work environment
You’ll work in:
- Fixed control towers on bases and airfields worldwide
- Radar approach control facilities (dim rooms with radar scopes, radio panels and coordination boards)
- Mobile / tactical towers and radar units in the field or deployed locations
Expect:
- Shift work – days, swings, mids; ATC is 24/7 at many bases
- High concentration in relatively small, controlled spaces
- Strict adherence to phraseology, procedures and checklists
- A professional, no nonsense culture focused on safety
During deployments or field exercises, you may:
- Operate from tents, mobile vans or temporary towers
- Deal with dust, heat, or other environmental challenges
- Control a mix of military and sometimes civilian aircraft in complex airspace
Entry requirements and training path
Basic eligibility
- Meet standard enlistment criteria (age, citizenship, background)
- High school diploma or GED
- Clean record suitable for a security clearance
- Normal color vision and depth perception; good hearing
Aptitude
ATC jobs are selective and require strong:
- Math and spatial reasoning
- Ability to process information quickly
- Multitasking and memory
You must meet specific ASVAB line scores (recruiters and current service brochures list current cutoffs).
Training pipeline – Army 15Q example
- 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training
- About 14–17 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at the Army Aviation Center (Fort Novosel / Rucker), mixing classroom, simulator and field training in tower and radar procedures.
Training covers:
- FAA and military ATC rules and phraseology
- Tower and radar procedures
- Aircraft performance basics
- Tactical ATC and field site setup
Training pipeline – Air Force 1C1X1
- Basic Military Training
- Air Traffic Control technical school
- Follow on qualification and career field education and training plan (CFETP) driven upgrade training at your operational facility
Certification
After the schoolhouse, you are not fully certified yet. You must:
- Complete on the job training at your facility
- Pass written and practical position qualification checks for positions like Flight Data, Ground, Local, and Radar
- Eventually earn facility ratings and (in many cases) an FAA Control Tower Operator (CTO) certificate, especially in Army and Air Force facilities that mirror FAA standards.
Certification is rigorous with real washout risk; the standards exist because safety margins are small.
Core skills and personal traits
Great controllers tend to share:
- Calm, focused mindset – you can stay cool while several aircraft are talking at once and things change quickly.
- Fast, accurate decision making – you must detect conflicts early and issue clear instructions in seconds, not minutes.
- Strong verbal communication – you speak clearly, concisely and confidently on the radio.
- Spatial awareness – you can visualize aircraft positions and altitudes in 3D space.
- Rule discipline – you follow separation standards and procedures precisely, even when under pressure.
- Team orientation – ATC works in teams; you rely on other positions and supervisors.
If you like fast paced mental work, can handle stress constructively, and enjoy aviation, ATC lines up well.
Education and long term development
Minimum – high school diploma or GED.
While serving, many ATC operators:
- Earn associate and bachelor degrees in:
- Air traffic management
- Aviation science
- Aeronautics
- Operations or management
- Gain FAA certifications:
- Control Tower Operator (CTO) certificate
- Possibly additional ratings depending on facility and branch
- Attend advanced courses covering:
- Facility chief / supervisor duties
- Tactical ATC leadership
- Safety, quality assurance and training management
These credentials are powerful when you apply to the FAA or civilian ATC employers.
Earnings potential
While in the military
Enlisted controller pay has several components:
- Base pay by rank and years in service
- Housing and food allowances
- Possible reenlistment bonuses for critical ATC specialties
Data compiled from job sites and salary aggregators shows:
- Estimated total pay for U.S. Army ATC Operators often ranges from around $73,000 to $136,000, with an estimated average near $97,000 per year when allowances and duty differences are considered.
Individual mileage varies: rank, years, location, deployments and bonuses all matter.
Civilian air traffic controller salary
Many military controllers later transition to the FAA or contract ATC facilities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports:
- Median annual wage for air traffic controllers: $144,580 as of May 2024
- Lowest 10 percent: under $76,090
- Highest 10 percent: over $210,410
Other sources and recent articles align closely, citing average or median pay around $138,000–$145,000, with higher earnings at busy facilities and with overtime.
In short:
- Trainee controllers start lower but ramp up as they certify
- Fully certified controllers at major facilities often make solid six figure incomes, especially with shift differentials and overtime
Day in the life of a military ATC operator
The feel of the job depends on shift and position, but here’s a tower / radar day.
Pre shift (briefing)
- Arrive early for position relief briefing
- Review weather, runway status, NOTAMs and special activities
- Check equipment: radios, radar, lighting panels, recording systems
On position – tower example (Ground / Local)
- Take the position from the previous controller using a formal checklist
- For Ground:
- Clear aircraft and vehicles to taxi via specific routes
- Coordinate runway crossings with Local control
- Deconflict intersecting taxi flows
- For Local (tower):
- Sequence arrivals and departures
- Issue takeoff and landing clearances
- Manage pattern traffic and go arounds
- Coordinate with approach control and emergency services as needed
You may work 30–60 minute blocks on position, then rotate to a break, flight data or another position to manage fatigue.
Radar position (Approach / Departure)
- Use radar to maintain required separation standards
- Provide headings, altitudes and speeds
- Sequence arrivals onto final and departures out of the terminal area
- Coordinate handoffs with tower and en route centers
Between positions, you:
- Update flight progress strips or electronic equivalents
- Log unusual events or training notes
- Participate in quick debriefs if an incident or significant event occurred
Off duty
- Continue required self study on procedures, LOAs (letters of agreement) and new equipment
- Periodic proficiency checks and evaluations
It is intense, focused mental work during position time, balanced by structured breaks to protect performance.
Career growth stages and promotion path
Enlisted controller path
- Trainee – learning basic phraseology, local procedures and individual positions under supervision
- Rated controller – fully certified on one or more positions (for example, Ground, Local, Approach)
- Watch supervisor / facility watch officer – oversees the operation on shift, manages staffing, mentors trainees, handles unusual events
- Facility chief / NCOIC – manages training programs, evaluations, schedules, and compliance with FAA and service regulations; often coordinates with higher headquarters on ATC policy and inspections
As you promote (E5–E7 and above), you do more supervision, evaluation and training and less time on scope, though you typically maintain proficiency.
Officer interaction
While the controller roles are enlisted, ATC facilities fall within broader aviation or operations units led by officers. Some officers may specialize in aviation operations or airfield management and work closely with the ATC facility leadership.
Post military civilian path
With military ATC experience and FAA CTO credentials, many veterans:
- Enter the FAA hiring pipeline (which currently has increased hiring targets—FAA plans to hire at least 8,900 new controllers through 2028).
- Work for contract towers operated by private companies under FAA oversight
- Move into airfield operations, airport management, or aviation safety roles
Once in the FAA, you can advance to:
- Front line controller at busier facilities
- Front line manager / supervisor
- Staff roles in safety, training or procedures
Employment outlook
The BLS projects 1 percent employment growth for air traffic controllers from 2024 to 2034, slower than average overall, but there will be about 2,200 openings per year, mostly to replace retirees and those leaving the field.
However, that national average hides two important realities:
- High retirement wave – many controllers hired in earlier decades are reaching mandatory retirement, creating a pipeline of openings.
- Well publicized shortages – recent news highlights that the FAA is operating below full staffing and is offering bonuses and incentives, while still paying six figure salaries.
For you as a future veteran ATC operator, this means:
- Your military training and experience can put you in a strong competitive position for FAA jobs
- There will continue to be opportunities, though selection and training are rigorous
Within the military, ATC is a stable, necessary specialty as long as aircraft are taking off and landing from military fields.
Advantages of a military ATC career
- High-impact, high-responsibility role – aviation literally cannot operate safely without controllers
- Intellectually demanding – you continuously solve spatial and timing problems in real time
- Direct civilian crossover – your skills map straight into FAA and contract ATC roles
- Professional, structured environment – clear rules, standards and progression
- Strong compensation potential, especially after transition
Challenges and realities
- Stress – you are responsible for keeping aircraft safely separated; errors can have serious consequences
- Training and certification pressure – not everyone passes; failure to certify may require reclassification
- Irregular hours – rotating shifts, nights, weekends and holidays are normal
- Limited room for “off days” on position – you must show up mentally sharp, especially on complex traffic days
If you thrive under pressure, like structure and standards, and are comfortable with responsibility, these challenges can be energizing rather than overwhelming.
Is this career a good fit for you?
You may be a strong fit for military ATC if you:
- Enjoy aviation but prefer to direct traffic more than fly the aircraft
- Stay calm and think clearly when multiple things happen at once
- Like puzzles, Tetris and real time problem solving
- Communicate clearly and confidently
- Appreciate rule sets and procedures and are willing to follow them exactly
If you are unsure whether you want a fast paced, mentally intense job versus something more physical or behind the scenes, it helps to look at your core motivations.
Is this career a good fit for you?
Take the MAPP assessment at www.assessment.com to see how your motivational profile aligns with air traffic control and other aviation careers.
The MAPP assessment can clarify whether you are energized by fast decision making and structured rules, or if you might be happier in roles like maintenance, piloting, logistics or cyber that have different stress profiles.
How to get started
- Take the MAPP assessment
Use your results to see whether you’re naturally drawn to fast paced, structured decision making and team based operations. - Talk to a recruiter about ATC options
Ask about:- Army MOS 15Q (Air Traffic Control Operator)
- Air Force AFSC 1C1X1 (Air Traffic Control Specialist), including Guard and Reserve paths
- Marine ATC options if you’re considering the Corps
- Strengthen your foundations
- Focus on math and physics in school
- Practice mental arithmetic and spatial reasoning (flight sims, 3D games, puzzles)
- Develop clear speaking habits and strong English skills
- Prepare for the lifestyle
- Recognize you will work shifts, including nights and weekends
- Build good sleep and stress management habits early
- Plan your civilian bridge early
- Keep records of your military ATC training and certifications
- Understand FAA hiring requirements and timelines; follow developments in controller hiring plans while you serve
With deliberate planning, a military ATC career can set you up for decades of high impact work both in uniform and later in the national airspace system.
