Air Traffic Controller
$138KHigh match
Stable demand
Live · Guide v1.06393 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 6393Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.6393.R.04
6393 · NAVY · OfficerAir Traffic Control
Air Traffic Control
LDO.
Navy 6393 (Air Traffic Control LDO). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $80K–$138K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in aviation management or air traffic control.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 6393 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 6393 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Airspace Management→ Understanding complex systems
- 02Radar Systems→ Systems monitoring and maintenance
- 03Emergency Procedures→ Incident response
- 04Procedural Compliance→ Following established protocols
- 05Situational Awareness→ Understanding system interdependencies
- 06Team Synchronization→ Collaboration and communication
To learn12
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux server administration+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Monitoring tools (Prometheus, Grafana)+Infrastructure-as-code (Terraform)+Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)+CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI)+Network security+Threat detection and incident response+Security tools (Wireshark, Metasploit, IDS)+System design+Data analysis+Project management
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Airport Operations Specialist
$85KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Familiarity with FAA regulations
- — Airport specific software
Aviation Safety Inspector
$95KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA certifications
- — In-depth knowledge of safety regulations
Logistics Manager
$90KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management software
- — Project management certification
Emergency Management Director
$80KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Incident Command System (ICS) certification
- — Local emergency protocols knowledge
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6393 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Rapid Prioritization
Air Traffic Control demands constant, instantaneous prioritization of aircraft movements, potential conflicts, and emergency situations. You're continuously evaluating risks and making split-second decisions to maintain safety and efficiency.
Transfers to
This ability to rapidly assess and prioritize competing demands translates directly to any fast-paced environment where critical decisions need to be made under pressure. You excel at quickly identifying the most important tasks and allocating resources accordingly.
Situational Awareness
As an Air Traffic Controller, you maintain a constant awareness of the airspace, weather conditions, aircraft positions, and pilot communications. You're always scanning the environment, anticipating potential problems, and adapting your actions to changing circumstances.
Transfers to
This heightened awareness makes you excellent at seeing the big picture, identifying potential risks and opportunities, and proactively adjusting strategies. You are adept at understanding how different elements interact within a system and anticipating future needs.
Procedural Compliance
Air Traffic Control is governed by strict regulations and procedures to ensure safety and efficiency. You are trained to follow these protocols meticulously, adhering to guidelines and maintaining detailed records.
Transfers to
Your dedication to procedure and regulation ensures quality control. You understand the importance of standardized processes, are able to follow guidelines with precision, and will maintain accuracy in a regulated environment.
Team Synchronization
Air Traffic Control is a team effort, requiring close coordination between controllers, pilots, and other personnel. You must communicate effectively, share information, and work together to achieve common goals.
Transfers to
Your ability to coordinate within a larger organization is valuable to many employers. Your ability to communicate clearly and concisely, actively listen to others, and facilitate cooperation will serve you well.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Logistics Coordinator
SOC 13-1081You've been managing complex air traffic patterns, so coordinating the flow of goods and materials in a supply chain will be well within your capabilities. Your prioritization and situational awareness will be invaluable in ensuring timely and efficient delivery.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 29-9099You've been trained to handle high-pressure situations and make critical decisions under duress. Your ability to maintain composure and situational awareness during emergencies will make you a valuable asset in disaster preparedness and response.
Adjacent · MatchProject Manager
SOC 11-9021You've been orchestrating complex operations involving multiple stakeholders, which directly translates to managing projects with defined timelines, budgets, and deliverables. Your ability to prioritize tasks, maintain situational awareness, and ensure procedural compliance will be crucial to project success.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Air Traffic Control Officer Course
Naval Air Station Pensacola480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in aviation management or air traffic control.
Topics · 7
- Airspace Management
- Radar Systems
- Meteorology
- Air Traffic Control Procedures
- Navigation Systems
- Emergency Procedures
- Aviation Regulations
Partial coverage · 2
- FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS)70%
While military ATC training is comprehensive, FAA certification requires specific knowledge of FAA regulations, procedures, and equipment. Focus study on FAA Order JO 7110.65 (Air Traffic Control) and facility-specific procedures.
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)40%
CAM certification requires knowledge of business management principles applied to aviation, including finance, marketing, and human resources. Supplement your ATC experience with study of these areas.
Recommended next · 03
- Airport Management Professional Accreditation (AMPAP)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Professional in Air Traffic Management (CPATM)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| AN/SPN-43C Air Search Radar | Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) | Signals |
| AN/SPN-46 Precision Approach Landing System (PALS) | Instrument Landing System (ILS) | Operations |
| AN/TPX-42A Interrogator | Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) | Operations |
| NAVSSI (Navigation Sensor System Interface) | Integrated Bridge System (IBS) | Signals |
| Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) | Mode S Transponder System | Signals |
| Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) | Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) | Operations |
| Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) | Differential GPS Landing System (DGPS) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6393 into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.