I am going into the navy as an AC (air traffic controller) - what to expect?

i dont realy know are u going to be on a nimitz super carrier? im in the navy also as an officer on the uss dallas. and also enlisties have their chocies arfter the officers pick were they want to go an the only way youll go to see is if your on an air craft carrier

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I am going into the navy as an AC (air traffic controller) - what to expect?

Enlisted E-3, leaving for boot Feb 19 and then off to Pensacola for my A school. I have no idea what I'm getting into. Do ACs go to sea? Will I have any say where my first orders are? When I'm in A school, will I be able to come home and visit California on any weekends? I have so many...

There's a good chance you'll be assigned to sea duty. In addition to aircraft carriers there are AC's on the big deck amphibious ships (LHA & LHD). AC's are also assigned to the TACRON's (Tactical Air Control Squadron).

You might be offered a choice of orders based on your standing in your graduating class. However, don't expect too much. As a first term sailor you are at the very bottom of the pecking order.

Even if you had the time off, there's no way you can visit in California on a weekend. Have you looked at the distance involved and thought about how you'd manage to do it starting at about 5pm on a Friday and being back by midnight on Sunday?

you will be an e3 after you complete bootcamp. yes ac's go to sea. ac's are at every air station and then on aircraft carriers, lha's, and lhd's. the navy has you fill out a "dream" sheet in a school but believe me its a dream sheet so the navy will put you where they need you. a school is in pensacola, no you will not be able to go home to california on the weekends. there is a 150 mile limit on how far away you can travel while on liberty. ac is good, it'll get you into the air traffic after the military if you want. congrats and good luck.

AC, eh? I have a simulator for ATC (Air Traffic Controller). You will have to deal with some serious stress. Like when an A-6 calls a missed approach, and you have an FA-18 making an emergency approach. Try not to run screaming from the console, it alarms the other controllers You may get sea duty, but probably shore duty first. It is a better rate than deckhand for sure. Never Again Volunteer Yourself. I am ex USN so thank you for your service.

Happy New Year and may you have no SEPCONS on your watch.

Michael C

No idea about the AC thing but no you will not be going to California on the weekends. At any base, especially MOS school commands there is a limit to the mileage you can travel on a regular weekend, a 72, a 96, etc. When I worked at NAS Pensacola, there was a 150 mile radius for weekend in which a Sailor/Marine in school could travel but you really aren't going to know until you check into your command what the radius is for your school house, but I can guarentee you it wont be far enough to get to California. Over holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas they will usually approve out of bounds chits for travels like yours as long as you can provide an itenerary.

Yes AC goes to sea. they need them on carriers right. you wont be able to go back to cali on weekends. you will do it after your done with school and before you arrive to your final command. you will have a little say in your orders the better your average is against your classmates the better pick you get on orders. so study and do good on your tests. Air Traffic Controller (controls air traffic) so you will be anywhere they have flights. carrier or shore. probably go to sea for your first set of orders. Have fun in great lakes in Feb haha its going to be cold.

It's a good skill to have. Air traffic controllers are paid well in the civilian world.

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Sorry HT1 but your answer is BS. he is correct, in that you will go to bootcamp, then your A-school maybe C-school i dont know AC. You will get assigned a ship from there. once you get there, start talking to your LPO(leading petty officer) that you want to go IA. You may have to do the minimal time on station which is 24 month or you may not. But since the war is dying down, you may not get to go at all. Email me if you have any questions.