Air Force Fire Protection

[Camp]

Hey SBGs

I am looking at going into the Air Force for Fire Protection.  The recruiter says that she may be able to get me a guaranteed job since I am already certified in structural/wildland firefighting (she has done it before in the past).

Anyone know anything about fire protection?  Seen what they do on base?  Opinions about joining the air force?

IF I go in, I'll be going in as an E-3.

IF I go in, I'm doing my best to be a warhawk in basic (the most difficult physical standard the AF has).

[RyanJP]

First off congrats on it. The AirForce has a really squared away fire program,  from my understanding being a regular firefighter in the military is dead and the trend as of lately starting with the Army is that the military is phasing out the firefighter program and replacing it with DOD fire but that doesn't mean that the Air Force, Marine Corps or the Navy will get rid of there fire protection for the Airfields/Ships. I have a buddy who is Marine got out of the Corps and is now DOD fire at Ft. Ord and he tells me that he is the only Marine hose dragger and that all the other vets are Air Force fire fighters. If you do a have a cert in the specific field and want to apply it in the AF than yes you can get a guarantee job title. You will not go in as E-3 but you will grauduate at that rank.

Good luck strive for that perfect PFT score because when you get to the school in Texas be prepared for a lot of hose dragging and Carrying alot of gear on your back.

[Camp]

Yeah I'm used to the firefighter style PT stuff.  I've already been through a 16 week fire academy that was 'paramilitary'.  Also, I fought fire over the summer on a wildland fire crew.

Do you know if military firefighting is similar to civilian firefighting in that as you rank up you can pursue new things in firefighting?  Example--could I go from being the rookie hose puller to an engineer?

[Camp]

The recruiter just called and offered me the job.

[BaldRob]

Awesome!

As with any job in the military, with increased rank comes increased responsibility...

Not sure about the AF's fire protection, but I know in the Navy, the more experiece one had, the more different stuff we got exposed to in the FF world.  I wasn't "damage control", but I moved up through the fire teams from hoseman to #1 nozzle to team leader to scene leader for my duty section.

[tomgallagher]

The recruiter just called and offered me the job.

Congratulations. BTW, get ready to lose that haircut.

[Camp]

Ha ha the mo-hawk is long gone.  That picture is pretty old.  My mohawk was the closest I ever got to going sly.  Now I have a full (read:thin) head of hair.

I' m bringing the paperwork in to the recruiter tomorrow...and it sounds like MEPS for my physical on thursday.

[tomgallagher]

LOL...the barbers over at the induction center will take care of all that...Good luck.

[Nick912]

Great career, if you were able to get it consider yourself lucky 

[Camp]

Lol.  Its been a while... but for an update-- I leave for Air Force BMT on Tuesday (feb 23).  I couldn't be more excited.  After BMT, I'll be off to DoD fire school.  I'm looking forward to the adventure.

[tomgallagher]

Good luck Camp. It will be a great adventure.

[warhawk]

hey camp:  congrats on joining the USAF.   i just wanted 2 wish U luck & 2 say "thanks" 4 serving our gr8 country.

WARHAWK

[wpruitt]

Lol.  Its been a while... but for an update-- I leave for Air Force BMT on Tuesday (feb 23).  I couldn't be more excited.  After BMT, I'll be off to DoD fire school.  I'm looking forward to the adventure.

Good luck

[xnewyawka]

Congratulations Camp. Good luck, and thanks for your service to our country.   

[Camp]

I forgot to add that once I am out of BMT, I fully plan to *finally* scrape the dome and become a full fledged member of the SBGs.   

Stay classy.