The air control, air traffic control, air support, and antiair warfare OccFld includes the operation and management of the air command and control functions associated with the Marine aircraft wing. Qualifications required include manual dexterity for man-machine interface, highly developed visual/auditory skills, the ability to communicate effectively with radios, and the leadership and skills to work effectively as a member of a command and control team. The duties involve skills and procedures that are initially acquired through formal schools and further developed by individual and team training. Air control, air traffic control, air support and antiair warfare Marines will be required to learn the emplacement, cabling orientation and operation of air command, control, traffic control, and antiair warfare defense systems and equipment. Entry-level assignments include LAAD gunner, air command and control operator, air traffic controller, and air support operations operator. A wide variety of FMF billets are available in the OccFld in the active and reserve forces at group, squadron/battalion, or battery level. Numerous non-FMF assignments also exist at the Marine Corps Systems Command, Marine Corps Air Stations worldwide, as instructors at MOS-producing schools. Marines will participate in routine air command and control functions while training for a designated MOS within the OccFld. (See figure 3-35 for additional information concerning the career/grade structure and schooling of these Marines.) For actual requirements of duties, and how these duties are developed through individual and team training for each MOS, refer to MCO P3500.19, Aviation Training and Readiness Manual, Volume 5, Marine Air Command and Control System (MACCS).
Below are the Marine Corps Enlisted Military Occupation Specialties which are organized under this occupational field:
7212 --Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Gunner
7234 --Air Control Electronics Operator
7236 --Tactical Air Defense Controller
7242 --Air Support Operations Operator
7251 --Air Traffic Controller-Trainee
7252 --Air Traffic Controller-Tower
7253 --Air Traffic Controller-Radar Arrival/Departure Controller
7254 --Air Traffic Controller-Radar Approach Controller
7257 --Air Traffic Controller
7277 --Weapons and Tactics Instructor-Air Control
7291 --Senior Air Traffic Controller
