Marine Corps MOS · Aviation
7257 Air Traffic Controller
Overview
Air Traffic Controllers control air traffic and vehicles within designated airport control zones, expeditionary airfields, and remote area landing sites. They perform these duties from control towers and radar facilities and through expeditionary air traffic control equipment.
Minimum clearance: Secret, often with SCI exposure
Core Skills
- Real-time operations control
- Airspace and traffic management
- Radar and sensor display interpretation
- Radio and voice communications procedures
- High-stress decision making
- Multi-tasking and prioritization
- Procedural compliance and checklist use
- Incident logging and reporting
- Situational awareness and risk assessment
- Team coordination and handoffs
Civilian Software & Tools
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Civilian Career Paths
- Air Traffic Control
- Aviation Management
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Air Traffic Control Tower Operator (CTO)
- FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) · Funded
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate · Funded
Career Growth
- Aircraft Dispatcher
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Word Associate
What the Work Involves
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
- Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
- Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
Related Occupations
- Airfield Operations Specialists
- Commercial Pilots
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
- Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: vocational training or an associate degree.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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