Air Traffic Control
Technician.
Navy 7393 (Air Traffic Control Technician). 1,200 hours of formal training translate to 4 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $62K–$138K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 7393 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
The gap, named.
What 7393 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
- 01Airspace Management→ Cloud Resource Management
- 02Radar Systems Operation→ Network Monitoring and Management
- 03Emergency Procedures and Contingency Planning→ Incident Response and Disaster Recovery
- 04Rapid Prioritization→ Incident Management
- 05Situational Awareness→ Observability
- 06Procedural Compliance→ Compliance and Governance
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
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 →Where your code lands.
Avionics Technician
$75K- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
Electronics Technician
$68K- — Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA)
- — PLC Programming
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$62K- — Fiber optic cable installation
- — Networking certifications (e.g., CCNA)
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 7393 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Rapid Prioritization
As an Air Traffic Control Technician, you constantly make split-second decisions, prioritizing aircraft movements based on urgency, safety, and efficiency, especially during peak hours or emergencies.
Your ability to quickly assess situations and prioritize tasks under pressure translates to any fast-paced environment where critical decisions are needed on the fly.
Situational Awareness
You maintain a comprehensive understanding of all air traffic within your zone, monitoring aircraft positions, weather conditions, and potential hazards to ensure safe and efficient operations.
This heightened awareness of your surroundings and the ability to anticipate potential problems is invaluable in roles requiring vigilance and proactive problem-solving.
Procedural Compliance
You adhere strictly to established protocols and regulations to maintain safety and prevent errors in air traffic control, ensuring consistency and reliability in operations.
Your commitment to following procedures and maintaining standards makes you a reliable and detail-oriented professional, essential in regulated industries.
Team Synchronization
You work closely with other controllers, pilots, and ground staff, coordinating actions and communicating effectively to ensure seamless and safe air traffic management.
This ability to collaborate and coordinate with diverse teams is crucial for achieving common goals in any collaborative work environment.
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 13-1081.00You've been managing the complex flow of air traffic; now, channel that expertise into orchestrating the movement of goods and services. Your prioritization and situational awareness skills will ensure efficient supply chain operations.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to handle high-pressure situations and maintain calm during emergencies. This role requires someone who can develop and implement disaster preparedness plans, utilizing your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Adjacent · MatchProject Manager
SOC 11-9021.00You've been managing the movement of air traffic, dealing with the complex scheduling and prioritization this requires. As a Project Manager, you’ll be responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. Your skills in rapid prioritization and team synchronization make you uniquely suited for this role.
Adjacent · MatchWhat you trained on.
Air Traffic Control Technician School
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FLUp to 15 semester hours recommended in aviation management and air traffic control.
- Airspace Management
- Radar Systems Operation
- Meteorology for Air Traffic Control
- Navigation Aids (NAVAIDs)
- Air Traffic Control Regulations and Procedures
- Emergency Procedures and Contingency Planning
- Communication Procedures
- Flight Data Processing
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)60%
Study advanced electronics, troubleshooting, and specific equipment repair procedures not covered in the military training. Focus on the CET exam domains you are weakest in.
- FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (PG)70%
Review FCC rules and regulations, maritime radio, and advanced communication theory. Specific areas could include Ship Radar Endorsement requirements.
- ICAO Aerodrome Control EndorsementAdjacent
- FAA Control Tower Operator (CTO) CertificateAdjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
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 | Long-range air surveillance radar systems used at civilian airports | Signals |
| AN/SPN-46 Precision Approach Radar (PAR) | Precision approach radar systems used for guiding aircraft during landing in adverse weather conditions | Signals |
| AN/SPN-41 Instrument Carrier Landing System (ICLS) | Instrument Landing System (ILS) used at civilian airports | Operations |
| Naval Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems (NATCALS) | Integrated air traffic control systems such as those provided by Leidos or Thales Group | Operations |
| Automated Air Traffic Control System (AATCS) | Automated air traffic management systems (e.g., FAA's NextGen system) | Operations |
| IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) Systems | Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) systems with Mode S capabilities | Operations |
Translate 7393 into a resume that ships.
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