What is life like as an Air Force air traffic controller?

It seems that is the likely position I'll be serving in the air force, I'm going in as an E-3, is it any different from other careers in the AF as far as daily life?What is life like as an Air Force air traffic controller?
Daily life as a three level fresh out of tech school is stressful and tough. A good percentage of people washout of the career field at Keesler; more will washout at their first base during upgrade training. As a ';tripod';, you'll be expected to keep your nose in the books or listen in on the freqs when you're not actually doing training. You'll start out training in simulations, and then live traffic with a rated controller plugged in behind you--when you make a mistake, the controller is there to correct the situation. The most common mistake is freezing up and saying nothing. Your confidence will be bashed, your ego will be annihilated. You will realize that Tech School really didn't teach you very much at all. On top of this, you are the least useful members of the facility. You and the other three-levels will be cleaning up after everyone else, taking out the trash, and doing chow runs for everyone. You are everyone's b*tch, and you'll wish you'd picked weather, intel, or base ops.





If you can make it through the training, it's all gravy. Your job is awesome. Your work environment is top shelf. You are always the smartest person in the room...at least that's what people seem to think, even though they have no idea what it is you do. Your work hours are tightly controlled (no fourteen hour days for you!), and you are guaranteed a day off every seven days--even when you deploy. You enjoy going to the Flight Doc and not having to wait all day at the hospital. At work, you tell officers what to do. How many enlisted jobs can say that?





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People who mention that ';the money is good'; are clueless. You won't make any extra money in the Air Force as a controller. On the civilian side, the pay has dropped dramatically since 2005, as the FAA and NATCA are in a pissing match over pay, work atmosphere, benefits, etc. There is some indication that relations have improved since Bush left, but nothing has been worked out to date. Until the FAA starts paying new hires better than $30K, i do NOT recommend a civilian FAA career. Stay in the Air Force until things get fixed, or til you can retire.





Hope this helps.What is life like as an Air Force air traffic controller?
My sister's husband dad was an air traffic controller for 20 years. My fiance is thinking about doing it. From what I hear from him, it's really good money but it's really stressful when it comes to other careers in the military. He's one of those really laid back calm guys and he says as long as you don't get easily frustrated then it's going to be fine. It's a rewarding job, and lots of bank as well. He has four sports cars that he just bought for himself haha.
I hear that the money is really good but it can be extrememly stressful... I think one of the most stressful in the military. If you are the type of person that works well under pressure then it may be a great job for you! You know that saying, ';you get what you pay for';... I think that probably applies here. Good money but lots of stree.
Believe me, you will be a Gate Guard. Checking license plates. No tower. Take my word for it. If not the gate, Handing out towels at the gym.