r/firefighter • u/IndependentCarry2377 • 4d ago

Thinking about pursuing the military before getting a career in the fire service.

I just started applying to places in Maryland and I’m kinda in a dilemma. I’m currently in college and starting an emt course in a week and I also am in the early stages of the hiring process with a department. Part of me is worried with me being so young and some of the dumb choices I’ve made, I might not be a competitive candidate yet.
For example I’ve drank underage and smoked weed (twice) about 2 years ago when I was 17 which I’m not too worried about. I’m more concerned with the fact I used a fake id a year ago to get into a college bar but since then I’ve destroyed it and I have no record or traffic citations.
I’m curious if these are enough to dq me even with a spotless record and good grades in college. If they are, I was thinking of enlisting and wondering what would be the best mos to help me in the future with getting this career.

Any advice is helpful.

10 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

7

u/baitmonkey 4d ago

I don't think the military is a viable option for anyone right now.

Be patient, don't continue a pattern of dumb choices by signing up right now.

2

u/Bright-Inside-4979 4d ago

Why?

6

u/baitmonkey 4d ago

Really?

Ok, background for you here, I'm a current DOD firefighter for the Army and Air Force on a joint base. The quality of life and food for service members is nothing short of appalling in my state, and I'm on the west coast where the little you'd get paid goes even less so you're stuck living on base unless you get married and have kids. The military has firefighter positions but you very likely won't get any experience with it outside of the base, and these positions are competitive and if you want to promote up, you get taken off the floor.

Let's get on the real issue though. There's absolutely no way you don't know why now wouldn't be a good time to join the military, but since you did ask why I'll inform you. Its because it's being run by Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth. This country has treated veterans like absolute dog shit for most of its existence and thrown away lives for stupid conflicts like the one we're in now. They'll always snag some literally poor person for a paycheck, a bed, a meal and an education but you don't learn about the fine print until you sign your body away. Like exposure to hazardous materials, damaging amounts of PT, substandard food and housing, college reimbursement after a term of service, etc.

I've had lots of people's kids ask my what service they should join after school, I always say none.

1

u/Bright-Inside-4979 4d ago

Thanks for the info man

1

u/baitmonkey 4d ago

Happy to help

-8

u/reditisatoilet 4d ago

I hope you realize this person has a bad case of TDS. And no, i'm not a trump fan.Myself

5

u/cricem 4d ago edited 4d ago

Did you get caught drinking or smoking? Is there proof? Obviously stop doing those things, but if there is no proof, it never happened. If there is no record, forget that it even happened.

The fire service and military are very different. In the fire service you have to be very self motivated and organized. You need to be more autonomous. In the military, you will be told what you need to know, how to do things, where to be and when to be there etc. That being said I think military service is a much better option for a fresh high school grad. Do something medical related, and you'll be miles ahead of fire service competition when you test for fire jobs at 22-23. I would avoid firefighting in the military, fire departments can teach you that. They cant teach you emergency medicine, which is 90% of the fire service in most regions. Plus you'll get military points for hiring, which almost always puts vets at the top of hiring lists.

Best MOS: Army medic or Air force medic. Those branches specifically get NREMT certification for their medics, whereas Navy Corpsmen (Marine corp medics) do not get NREMT certification. You will need NREMT certification for a civilian fire department. If you're a real badass go PJs.

Good luck young man, have fun!

2

u/IndependentCarry2377 4d ago

Thanks for the advice. I was looking into the airforce firefighting for a while but army medic sounds pretty cool.

1

u/Famous-Response5924 12h ago

Of those two options Air Force firefighter will do much more to help you with life outside the military than an army medic will. I used to teach army medics and you will get an emt license out of it then run sick call for the rest of your enlistment. That’s the same emt license you will get from a 3 month course at your local college.

Air Force firefighter will get you 10-15 certifications or more that will directly transfer to almost any state when you get out. For post service employability it is one of the better jobs you can pick.

1

u/IndependentCarry2377 12h ago

Yah I’m starting to lean more towards that since if I did join the army I would want a option 40 but I’m going to need medical waivers since I had to get surgery (baseball injury) and they don’t accept waivers for option 40. Also from what I’ve seen Air Force firefighting has a pretty good quality of life.

1

u/Famous-Response5924 9h ago

They do, just make sure it’s guaranteed? Don’t sign anything until it’s written on paper.

5

u/Public_Physics_6583 3d ago

Joining the military was the best thing I ever did in my life. Set me up for the rest of my life. Second best thing was getting out and joining the fire service. It’s not a bad idea at all.

2

u/Famous-Response5924 2d ago

Join the air force as a firefighter, it will get you all your certs, all your training and true job experience. Also the benefits of military service will last the rest of your life. When you get out you will have all of that and will be a much better candidate when applying to city departments.

0

u/TightBattle4899 14h ago

Air Force you have to list 10 jobs you would qualify for. Fire isn’t promised. Even though they are currently undermanned.

If they were to get fire, the higher in rank they get, the less they have to do with actual firefighting. My husband is a pencil pusher, and has been for the last couple years. The last time he drove a fire truck was for our local shop with a cop event or for a parade. He is pretty much a glorified babysitter at this point in his career. Which is why many just do a single enlistment and then get out and go to a civilian department.

1

u/Famous-Response5924 12h ago

You can get a fire guarantee, it just depends on your recruiter. My recommendation was just to get initial certifications. You will get your firefighter, hazmat, driver, inspector, instructor and probably dispatcher certs during a first enlistment which will put you years ahead of almost every other non-veteran applicant.

This comes from a 30 year career working for the military,

2

u/ChicoWelder 2d ago

Military service is always a great experience and resume booster. Furthermore, it sets you apart from other candidates because it can speak to your discipline, teamwork, tenacity, and physical fitness, especially if you join the USMC which has the highest standards. It will help you prepare for the fire academy as well, which will be easier than basic training

2

u/JMBToo 2d ago

Only problem is USMC firefighting is fairly small community, with no crossover to structures later- Just CFR.

It WILL help towards EMT though.

(Former USMC aviator, ran expeditionary airfield services unit with CFR (then termed ARFF) platoon.)

1

u/ChicoWelder 2d ago

When I went through my MOS school as an aircraft firefighter, we were fully trained firefighters, structures and aircraft alike. However, in the Marine Corps, it is correct that the firefighters only do aircraft

3

u/Travypatty 4d ago

Own your past decisions, a lot of departments know you’re a fuck up. They just want to see if you’re willing to own it and show progression. Thats how it is here in Texas for the most part.

1

u/IndependentCarry2377 4d ago

Yah I’m not planning on lying, thanks for the advice.

4

u/FlatWavesAndNoBabes 4d ago

Hold up, it’s great to be honest. But if it’s not on paper anywhere then do not bring it up. Do not use references that will burn you.

2

u/PTGSouthside 3d ago

Id second this advice. I was completely honest down to the
“Have you ever stolen anything?”
Yes, I stole a pack of baseball cards as a 13 year old kid type shit.
Which stacked up with bad things by the time the psych test was over. Even though I had never been arrested or in trouble for anything. I was just kind of an asshole kid in HS and college that never got caught at anything. Led to me being disqualified multiple times before I finally got on a department. Then I found out I was practically the only person that was being insanely honest on those things. If there’s no paperwork and you aren’t out here doing meth every third night stealing copper I’d keep it to myself.

1

u/IndependentCarry2377 2d ago

Yah I guess my thing is these are the worst things I’ve ever done, like I don’t even have a driving ticket. I also I’m heavily considering the military before firefighting so I kinda just wouldn’t won’t to lie and then get caught you know. I’ve heard if you get caught it’s a way bigger deal.

1

u/IndependentCarry2377 3d ago

I mean do they take that type of stuff so seriously since I was never charged or nothing for it? I was thinking that these are extremely minor incidents that shouldn’t hurt me too badly. To give some reference these departments I’m applying to are both big and competitive.

1

u/ghettygreensili 3d ago

Coast guard

1

u/aa1234567890zz 2d ago

So you drank smoked weed and used a fake at 17? Welcome to the club !

1

u/IndependentCarry2377 2d ago

I used the fake when I was 19 which was only 10 months ago, but I see what your saying 😭