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Navy NEC · Aviation

F04A Advanced Radar Traffic Controller

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

A Navy Enlisted Classification: a skill designation sailors hold in addition to their rating.

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Overview

The Advanced Radar Traffic Controller provides approach control services at a terminal air traffic control facility using radar or nonradar procedures. This controller handles arriving and departing VFR and IFR aircraft and occasionally provides service to aircraft flying enroute.

Core Skills

  • Non-radar terminal approach control
  • Approach control for VFR and IFR traffic

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Air Traffic Controllers

Providing radar or non-radar approach control for arriving and departing VFR/IFR aircraft directly overlaps civilian terminal air traffic control.

How to prepare: Gather certification, facility-rating and duty records to check the FAA experienced-controller route: original appointments have a maximum entry age of 35 and require 52 consecutive weeks of full-time active aircraft separation after certification or facility rating within five years of application at a qualifying FAA, DOD, National Guard or FAA-contract tower facility, excluding pre-certification training and allowing no educational substitute. Alternatively, FAA entry-level hiring requires age under 31, one year of progressively responsible work experience, a bachelor's degree, or combined post-secondary education and work totaling one year, plus pre-employment tests including ATSA and clear spoken English over communications equipment.

What the civilian work involves
  • Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
  • Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.

Notes & Sources

  • FAA hiring requires U.S. citizenship, medical qualification and security screening; controllers must pass annual medical examinations.
  • The cited FAA experienced-controller notice requires willingness to work at any FAA facility, drug testing and a Secret clearance. Previously appointed FAA or DOD civilian 2152 applicants must document their original appointment before the maximum entry age with an SF-50. This notice is a resume repository, not a guaranteed opening; these conditions are not universal non-FAA employer requirements.
  • FAA entry-level hires complete Academy training followed by 2-3 years of classroom and on-the-job training before professional certification. Experienced hires enter the appropriate field-training phase and may also need Academy courses.
Evidence for this guidance (5 documents)
  1. NAVPERS 18068F Vol II (NEOCS, Jul 2026 edition): NEC F04A

    [1] NEC entry "F04A - Advanced Radar Traffic Controller"; cached text line 5039; NAVPERS 18068F Vol II, 2026-07 edition

    Supports: Non-radar terminal approach control, Approach control for VFR and IFR traffic, Air Traffic Controllers (O*NET 53-2021.00)

  2. O*NET: Air Traffic Controllers

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Air Traffic Controllers (O*NET 53-2021.00)

  3. FAA: Air Traffic Controller Qualifications

    [3] Minimum qualifications and training requirements; official page updated 2025-02-27, checked 2026-09-24. Current entry-level threshold is one year, not the older three-year wording.

    Supports: Air Traffic Controllers (O*NET 53-2021.00)

  4. FAA 2026 experienced Air Traffic Control Specialist direct-hire notice

    [4] FAA-FAA-26-PUB NOT-96466: Duties, Conditions of employment, Qualifications, Education. Checked 2026-09-24; a resume repository, not a guarantee of an opening or appointment.

    Supports: Air Traffic Controllers (O*NET 53-2021.00)

  5. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Air Traffic Controllers

    [5] How to Become an Air Traffic Controller; retrieved 23 September 2026

    Supports: Air Traffic Controllers (O*NET 53-2021.00)

Defense contractor jobs for F04A

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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