Career change

[USAFActiveDuty]

I am interested in becoming a firefighter and have been in the Air Force (not a firefighter) for 5 years. I have a little over two years left in my enlistment. I am wondering what the best way to get into this field would be. Should I take courses now through a community college/online programs before I get out of the military or wait? Also, I plan on moving to Washington, Oregon, or Colorado. Do programs and certifications differ from state to state? Also, is it possible to have a job lined up before I get out to make a smooth transition from out of state? Any information will be appreciated. Thanks.

[edff322]

If i were you i would stay in the air force let them send you to fire fighting school through the air force. that would be the best way to go. If you get in they'll send you to GoodFellow airforce base down in texas for their 14 week school for fire fighting. Then if you dont want to be active duty atleast stay in as reserves one weekend a month isnt bad. The firefighting knowledge you would get through the air force would very valuable when going into fire fighting for a career. It would def look good on your part. So i would think about that. As for going to college for fire science degree i recomend that too, and let the air force pay for it, you would still be able to have them pay for it if you were in the reserves. But to actually get your fire fighting certs you would have to be on a department first for them to sponsor you to go through the program. Also something else to look at to is the school you would get through the air force for fire fighting you might be able to get that recognized as structural firefighting and not have to worry about getting that cert. so think about it first before you get out of the air force

[jerry4184]

Look at where you want to work. There is no one golden requirement, or way that works everywhere. You need to research departments you would want to work for.

The majority of departments you will find, hire off a civil service testing process, so lining a job up ahead of time isn't really an option. You have to test like everyone else, and they hire you when they want to.

As far as Air Force Firefighting, they instruct on both Aircraft Crash/Rescue, and structural firefighting, so there is no need to get it recongnized as structural training. However, be prepared to be told it doesn't count outside the air force, and you would have to redo another departments academy after getting hired anyway. If you went that route that is.