Hello everyone. Been a member for some time but just lurked the board mostly. Now I could use some thoughts/ideas/help.
Quick background: I'm a 22 year old male in the US Coast Guard serving a 4 year enlistment as an Operations Specialist. My duties are much like a 911/Dispatchers job. I take mayday calls from vessels/aircraft in distress and dispatch Coast Guard units to assist. I do more but that's the quick and dirty. I'm coming up on my 2 year mark, with 2 years remaining, in the Coast Guard. I entered service at 20 years old after I attended a New Hampshire college for 2 full-time years and earned an associates in Criminal Justice. I stand to leave the service at the age of 24.
I have always known I wanted to be involved in Public Safety in one form or another. Mainly I wanted to be in Law Enforcement which explains my CJ degree, but I've always been interested in FF/EMT work as well. I'm being transferred to Maine coming up sometime between October and January. I'm still a New Hampshire resident and will continue to be at least until I leave the service.
My goal is to work some where in the Southern NH/Northeast MA area. I plan on taking the tests/applying for positions in both Police and Firefighting because I feel I would be equally as happy in either job field. So far my qualifications look pretty good; CJ Degree, Boot Camp, Damage Control (including firefighting) on board ships, Trained as a 911/Dispatcher type of job, Currently hold a Top Secret Clearance.
My question is what can I do to better myself over the next 2 years? What kind of classes/certificates can I achieve in 2 years or less that will make me competitive when I start to test and apply for Firefighting/Law Enforcement jobs?
One thing I plan to do is begin EMT courses because I was told by a couple firefighters I know in NH that EMT qualifications would make myself look better when applying.
Keep in mind that money is no object when it comes to schooling (kind of, I do have a limit but don't let that stop you from suggesting something), as the military will pay for it.
I plan to post this in the Officer.com boards as well to see what suggestions I get for the Law Enforcement side of things.
Thanks for looking.
Quick background: I'm a 22 year old male in the US Coast Guard serving a 4 year enlistment as an Operations Specialist. My duties are much like a 911/Dispatchers job. I take mayday calls from vessels/aircraft in distress and dispatch Coast Guard units to assist. I do more but that's the quick and dirty. I'm coming up on my 2 year mark, with 2 years remaining, in the Coast Guard. I entered service at 20 years old after I attended a New Hampshire college for 2 full-time years and earned an associates in Criminal Justice. I stand to leave the service at the age of 24.
I have always known I wanted to be involved in Public Safety in one form or another. Mainly I wanted to be in Law Enforcement which explains my CJ degree, but I've always been interested in FF/EMT work as well. I'm being transferred to Maine coming up sometime between October and January. I'm still a New Hampshire resident and will continue to be at least until I leave the service.
My goal is to work some where in the Southern NH/Northeast MA area. I plan on taking the tests/applying for positions in both Police and Firefighting because I feel I would be equally as happy in either job field. So far my qualifications look pretty good; CJ Degree, Boot Camp, Damage Control (including firefighting) on board ships, Trained as a 911/Dispatcher type of job, Currently hold a Top Secret Clearance.
My question is what can I do to better myself over the next 2 years? What kind of classes/certificates can I achieve in 2 years or less that will make me competitive when I start to test and apply for Firefighting/Law Enforcement jobs?
One thing I plan to do is begin EMT courses because I was told by a couple firefighters I know in NH that EMT qualifications would make myself look better when applying.
Keep in mind that money is no object when it comes to schooling (kind of, I do have a limit but don't let that stop you from suggesting something), as the military will pay for it.
I plan to post this in the Officer.com boards as well to see what suggestions I get for the Law Enforcement side of things.
Thanks for looking.
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