Military training - is it recognised in Civ street?

[Stan 24v]

Hi all

Ive been offered a place as an RAF Air Traffic Control Officer. I have just been told though, by a good source, that the military training does not marry across to the civilan side of things. Is this true? If so what do ex military personnel have to do in order to transfer across after they finish their reckonable service?

Any info appreciated.

Thanks
Stan

[stopbar]

Pretty much the whole civil course...

[chevvron]

...,and you've got to pass RAF training first; initial officer training (IOT) at Cranwell; pass that and you might go to Shawbury; a lot of people have to be re-coursed or get chopped too.

[Stan 24v]

Im already serving mate, so I know whats involved. I just wanted to know about the civ quals etc to determine whether or not I take it.

[Grabbers]

Like the commitment levels Stan. Do us all a favour won't you?

[cottam approach]

I'm leaving the RAF in a matter of days. NATS bound. Nothing whatsoever is recognised. Helps a bit in the interview but that's it. If your end plan is civvy air traffic, go civvy air traffic. Don't use the mil as a stepping stone.

[Talkdownman]

......unless you want to end up in the CAA using your military expertise to regulate civil aviation...

[Number2]

Not entirely true. You can get an assessment of prior knowledge which reduces the amount of work to do but not by much. There were some other countries that recognized the military qualifications but those doors are probably closed now too.

People shouldn't be criticized for planning their future and making sure the right choice is made.

[gemmy]

It is recognised here in Oz, after applying to Air Services Australia & doing an online test & an interview & if successul, you will do a conversion course. Approx 3 mths as opposed to 12mths! A number of my RAAF mates have changed over.

[anotherthing]

Stan

Couple of things - You've said you are already in the Crabs - so you must either be Sgt or Officer if planning this career change.

Is the career change because you have been chopped from flying training, or for some other reason? The reason I ask is because if you already have a trade in the Crabs, then there is no point in moving into Mil ATC merely as a 'stepping stone' for when you reach your retirement point.

Mil and Civ ATC are very different. Tower training and skills are fairly transferable, but you'll still have to do most of the course (you will get exemption in Met and Nav groundschool if you apply for it through SRG, though to tell the truth if going the NATS route, it's not worth it as they form part of the package - you might as well do them).

Approach training again is a different beast, as is the application. This is especially true at the larger airfields in the UK that are purely commercial...

For example wrt tower or approach, Heathrow (as an example) is very busy, but totally different (and dare I say it much more regulated and predictable) from working combined visual circuits and instrument traffic with a huge mix in performance, which is what you will possibly do in the Crabs (more-so on an RN exchange as they don't have 'typed' air stations).

If you go to some of the 'less busy' airfields, you might find more variety - for instance in NATS, Aberdeen or Farnborough immediately spring to mind. Very different operations and both pretty complex, if not pushing the pure volume that EGLL or EGKK do.

If you go area, forget what you learned at ARTS (Shawbury Area course).

Unlike some people (Grabbers!) - I can't knock you for looking ahead to when you will possibly be leaving the RAF - better that than getting to your last tour (or later) and then panicking - but if the move into ATC is not being driven by the RAF but is a choice you are making freely, don't jump into it without thought if the reason is to pave a transition to civvy street.

One of the benefits in the past with having been Mil ATC was that it gave some flexibility wrt the upper age limit that NATS imposed, but now there has been a ruling by the EU that removes the age discrimination (even though most people in NATS think the age limit was a good idea).

One of the major drawbacks in having been Muil ATC will be the process of unlearning some of what you know and getting yourself into the civvy way of doing things. This is probably even more difficult today with the shortened time at NATS college.

Whatever you do, good luck!!

[Stan 24v]

Thanks for the info guys.

Im a serving Avionics Sgt (No commitment issues there!!!) who has gone for commission. I had EngO down first and ATCO second. I flew through the aptitude tests and they are crying out for ATCO's, so 2+2 = ???

Anyway, I have been offered a place on IOT, as ATCO.

As an EngO I know/knew exactly what to expect and how it all ties across to civvy street once I do finally leave, however as ATCO I dont - hence these questions.

At no stage have I thought of this as a stepping stone, and same for EngO. However, I am trying to sort out my whole future so I would like to know what I am letting myself in for if/when I decide to accept the offer. Anyone not looking towards the future, in my opinion, really ought to whether its in the service or not.

I am planing to visit Shawbury/Swanwick/Brize/Coningsby over the next few weeks for some more fact finding, however any useful info is much appreciated.

Cheers
Stan

[Grabbers]

Stan,

check PMs.

[Stan 24v]

Have done, and replied ;)