MOS 15Q—Air Traffic Control Operator

Qualifications for initial award of MOS 15Q, Air Traffic Control Operator:

PULHES: 222211
Physical Demands Rating: very heavy
Required ASVAB Score: ST: 101
Enlistment Bonus: Level 5
Security Clearance: Secret
U.S. Citizenship: Required
AIT Length / Location: 15 weeks, 1 day at Ft Rucker, Alabama
Other Requirements

Air Traffic Control Operator (MOS 15Q) Description / Major Duties:

The ATC operator supervises and provides air traffic services (ATS) for a variety of missions to include air traffic control tower (ATCT), ground control approach (GCA) radar and airspace information centers (AIC) utilizing visual flight rules (VFR), instrument flight rules (IFR) and special visual flight rules (SVFR), at both tactical and fixed-base locations. The ATC operator issues flight instructions and clearances to ensure proper separation is maintained and effective sequencing is provided for both military and civilian aircraft; formulates data for the development of terminal instrument procedures (TERPS); assists the Airspace Control Authority (ACA) in establishing and maintaining the Army Airspace Command and Control (A2C2) system, by planning, developing and implementing airspace control measures (ACM); ensures facility compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and DoD policy procedures; serves as Department of the Army Regional Representatives (DARR) at regional FAA offices for the purposes of coordinating special use, special operations and host-nation/joint use airspace requirements; maintains United States Air Force certification as a limited weather observer; serves as point of contact for emergency notification and assistance in the event of aviation accidents or incidents; compiles and controls information concerning aviation mishaps for accident investigation teams; coordinates and directs emergency response vehicles and aircraft. Serve as an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) or FAA control tower operator (CTO) examiner.

Duties for MOS 15Q at each skill level are:

MOSC 15Q1O. Operate fixed and tactical ATC towers, Ground Control Approach GCA radars and airspace information centers (AICs). Operates and maintains vehicles, tactical/fixed base ATC equipment and navigational aids (NAVAIDs). Assist in the installation and relocation of tactical ATC facilities. Apply air traffic control rules, procedures and regulations. Processes flight plan data. Formulates and issues ATC clearances, advisories and control information. Maintain logs, records, files and recordings of voice communications. Interprets and relays Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) information. Reads and interprets DoD Flight Information Publications (FLIPS) and aeronautical charts. Analyzes air traffic to identify and resolve potential conflicts. Control airborne and ground traffic on and in the vicinity of the airport. Updates Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) and performs radarscope alignments. Coordinate terminal/enroute control. Provides approach control services, conducts precision radar instrument approaches, provide (AIC) services and control tower services. As a Pathfinder ASI (F7) qualified member of a tactical air control team (TACT), establishes and controls landing zones (LZs), helicopter landing zones (HLZs), drop zones (DZs) and pick-up zones (PZs).

MOSC 15Q2O. Conduct ATC facility training. Briefs shift personnel on runway utilization, airfield conditions and weather/ground activities. Prepares and updates flight following maps. Supervises a shift in a tactical or fixed tower, radar, or AIC. Services as a tactical air control team (TACT) leader in a tactical terminal control system (TTCS), deploys team as advance party to remote areas to secure and set up forward area refueling and rearming points (FARPS), LZs, HLZs, DZs and PZs. Maintains current DoD and DOT/FAA publications, ATC facility logs, forms, records and situation maps. Prepare, brief and disseminates Aviator’s Procedures Guide (APG) to supported aviation units. Assist in the preparation of TERPS.

MOSC 15Q3O. Serve as facility chief at low-density towers, radar or airspace information centers. Serve as facility chief in tactical towers, GCA radars and AICs. Administer ATC facility. Formulates and coordinates letters of agreement, operations letters and facility memorandums. Prepares duty rosters and assigns duties to personnel. Ensures facility flight check requirements are met for navigational aids, radar and radio communications equipment. Plans and organizes ATC activities for tower, GCA radar, airspace information centers and verifies facility compliance with Army and FAA standards. Evaluates ATC operations and work performance. Reviews and prepares reports. Coordinate ATC activities with other facilities. Prepares and updates situation maps. Assist in the preparation of Standard Instrument Approach/Enroute/Departure Procedures (TERPS) for assigned facility/NAVAID.

MOSC 15Q40. Serve as facility chief in high density and designated remotely located fixed base towers, GCA radar, or AICs. Plans, organizes and supervises ATC facilities. Establishes and supervises the facility training and rating program. Advise in the preparation of TERPS. Ensure proper utilization and coordination of maintenance support. Prepares and interprets orders and reports. As an A2C2 liaison at division and echelons above corps (EAC) assists in the development and execution of the Airspace Control Order (ACO) and Airspace Tasking Order (ATO). Coordinates, deconflicts and integrates all airspace control measures for division, corps, or EAC commanders. As a platoon sergeant, coordinates the logistical, personnel and administrative support for all platoon elements and deploys platoon to remote locations in support of forward aviation assets. Prepares and coordinates TERPS data with the appropriate FAA Department of the Army regional representative. Conduct briefings for senior commanders on the current tactical airspace situation.

Other Requirements for Award of MOS 15Q:

(1) Normal color vision.

(2) Complete and pass the Army Class IV medical physical prior to requesting and/or granting the MOS to the soldier and his attendance/arrival to training/school.

(3) The ability to clearly enunciate English without impediment of speech that would interfere with 2-way radio communication.

(4) Formal training (completion of a resident MOS 15Q course conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center) mandatory or meeting the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP) criteria listed per paragraph (a) below. Waivers for formal training or ACASP criteria must be submitted to Cdr, USAAWC, ATTN: ATZQ-AP, Ft Rucker, AL 36362-5000 for approval.

(a) ACSAP qualification criteria.
1. Be eligible for security eligibility under AR 380-67.
2. Have 2 years ATC experience and a FAA control tower operator’s certificate and control tower facility training.
3. Meet Army Class IV medical fitness standards in AR 40-501.

(5) A Federal Aviation Agency certificate of grades reflecting successful completion of written examination in accordance with AR 95-2.

(6) Alcohol and drug abuse as defined below will disqualify any Soldier or potential enlistee from this MOS. This qualification will not be waived, even though the Soldier/potential enlistee satisfactorily completed the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) or civilian equivalent, except as specified below:

(a) A medically diagnosed history of alcohol abuse as defined in the substance use disorder section of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition, 2000 (DSM IV) is disqualifying. Cdr, HRC may waive this disqualification after a Soldier/potential enlistee in this MOS successfully completes the ASAP Education, outpatient or inpatient programs , or its civilian equivalent, based on the recommendation of the chain of command the Cdr, USA Aeromedical Center. A Soldier/potential enlistee who completes any aspect of ASAP is involved in an additional offense involving alcohol or alcohol abuse will be immediately reclassified or denied enlistment in this MOS as a high risk.

(b) Except as provided in (e) below, a wrongful or improper use of narcotic or other controlled substance, or dangerous drug as defined by 21 USC 801, et seq, is disqualifying.

(c) A positive result of urine test administered per AR 600-85 that leads to medical evaluation and a finding of "no diagnosis apparent, improper use" is disqualifying.

(d) Except as provided in (e) below, a documented instance of the use, sale, transfer, possession, or manufacture of any narcotic or other controlled substance or dangerous drug as defined by 21 USC 801, et seq, is disqualifying. A documented instance includes conviction by any courts martial or any civilian court. Convictions include juvenile adjudication, non-judicial punishment under AR 15, UCMJ, or voluntary confession after proper rights warning according to Article 31(b), UCMJ.

(e) A Soldier or potential enlistee will not be disqualified for teenage civilian experimentation with marijuana or other cannabinoids disclosed in voluntary confessions of drug experimentation documented solely by information obtained from SF 2808 or SF 2807-2. (Experimentation is defined as one time use of casual use over a short period of time resulting from peer pressure.) The use disclosed must have occurred prior to the individual's 18th birthday and prior to enlistment in any armed force.

Additional Skill Identifiers for MOS 15Q:

F7—Pathfinder
5A—Joint Air Tactical Operations (skill level 3 and 4 only)
5U—Tactical Air Operations

Article Last Modified: May 10, 2011

Return to: Aviation MOS List or the top level Army Jobs / MOS List