How difficult is it to become an airforce fireman?

[DLoomis07]

Im 17 years old and a senior in highschool. How hard is it to get a guarentee from a recrutier that I will become an airforce fireman

[top7051]

Should not be hard at all. don't seem very eager, and don't give your recruiter any other option. Firefighter or nothing!!!!!!!!! Try the other services Marine Corps, Army and the NAVY have firefighting positions, but if I had to do it over again I would choose the AF because they are the leader in DOD firefighting.

[FEDVVFAC]

I would be very careful of offers from any other branch than the AF. Most Army firefighters are doing little more than protecting weapon convoys in the big sand box. Army bases are mostly covered by civilian firefighters. Navy folks are not usually sent to the firefighting academy (NEC 7012) until they are in their second enlistment, and again-most Navy bases are covered by civilian firefighters. I am not 100% sure about USMC, but from the bases I have seen, military covers the airfields while civilian firefighters cover structural protection and EMS. The AF covers it all and is the best bet in my opinion.

[Medic162]

Im 17 years old and a senior in highschool. How hard is it to get a guarentee from a recrutier that I will become an airforce fireman

This is an easy one really. GET IT IN WRITING! Be aware that recruiters are not YOUR advocate. They have quotas to meet. As I stated in another post, they'll sell you the moon - especially when you're young and "inexperienced" in the ways of the world. Make damn sure you read the fine print of any contract or you'll be stuck in supply or the dining facility or on a flightline in North Dakota. Nothing against those jobs, but you've shown that you want to be a BROTHER, so don't settle for less. Unless things have changed in less than a year(since I've retired) you can get any job except PJ/CCT in writing. This of course may have changed by now . Go to the local AF recruiter, and ask if you can sign up to be a firefighter and if for ANY reason you don't make it, you have NO obligation to the Air Force. Best of luck to you!

[Billmilligan]

Get a guarantee

Medic162 is right, recruiters will tell half-truths to get their numbers. The best way to get a guarantee is either smoke the ASVAB or hold out until you get it in writing. I’m a retired USAF SNCO, I was a USAF Firefighter my first 4 years from 1980 to 1984 at Mather AFB, CA, Being a base Firefighter/EMT was a great job but I was unfortunately Palace Balanced along with over 1000 other firefighters when they shrank the force in the summer of 1984. I ended up in F-15 Avionics Maintencae until I retired. You need to ensure you get a guarantee slot even if you end up having to wait an extended period of time. Failing to do this the recruiter will tell you some BS story about he can’t get slots and why don’t you go ahead and go in open general. Don’t do it, this is the quickest way to end up in service or Security Force’s

[DeathbyFire]

AF Firefighter

To be honest kid, the AF is getting rid of 1500 firefighters. Even if you do get the job there's no signing bonus or re-enlistment bonus. If you like sweeping floors and sucking dick this is the job for you, but if you want to be a real firefighter I recommend going to school and getting your fire-science degree and trying to get on at a city or county dept. It's almost impossible to get hired if you aren't an EMT. Good luck, don't give up, don't give in.

[WaterbryVTfire]

I have heard there is a LONG waiting list to get the training. (Something like 3 or 4 years?)

[DFurtman]

I have heard there is a LONG waiting list to get the training. (Something like 3 or 4 years?)

I have to say that this isn't true..
Sure the Fire Dept. may be getting rid of Firefighters, they are still kicking them through training at a headspinning rate. (Not to say we don't get Quality training, the instructors do weed out the weak..) I had waited just under a year to get a slot on my Air Guard fire department, and waited a month to get a slot in school, and another month to go.. I'm slated to graduate the academy Friday with our last ARFF burn tomorrow.

if ya want to be a firefighter with the Air Force, tell your recruiter you wanna be a Firefighter and nothing else. dont let them put you into a general billet, don't let them say you will get to choose your job when ya get to your base. don't let them talk you into a different job. you will know you wanna be a firefighter because of the burning desire you will have in your heart to help people, and nothing else will quench that feeling. good luck.

-Damien
SrA, USAF

[Udubdeuce]

One more question for those 'in the know.'

I am a volunteer firefighter in Seattle with my firefighter one, EMT, and will be earning my hazmat ops and firefighter two this summer (2010). I also have my bachelors degree from the university of washington. I'm seriously looking at the air force to spend the next 4 years of my life. Would I get any help being a curent volunteer and college grad? what about financial benefit? signing bonus?

Thanks

[peterbound]

if you got your degree go commissioned. Talk to an officer recruiter in your area. If you love the fire thing, stay volunteer and do it in your free time.

[ShredddinCali]

One more question for those 'in the know.'

I am a volunteer firefighter in Seattle with my firefighter one, EMT, and will be earning my hazmat ops and firefighter two this summer (2010). I also have my bachelors degree from the university of washington. I'm seriously looking at the air force to spend the next 4 years of my life. Would I get any help being a curent volunteer and college grad? what about financial benefit? signing bonus?

Thanks

the only thing having a degree will help you with is becoming an officer if your degree is in something technical. if you absolutely want to be a firefighter in the air force, all that stuff you have will mean nothing, except the experience and training that you know you have.

[DONeillFF24]

I'm 25, volunteer firefighter and work fulltime as an EMT. I talked to the AF recruiter today about being a AF Firefighter. He stated if I wanted to be just a firefighter I shouldn't waste his time because the AF is "too fat" and he has other jobs he needs to fill and I would have to pick 2 other options. Towards the end of out conversation he asked some basic info and because my credit isn't the best I may be disqualified. Is there any way around this?

[ShredddinCali]

I'm 25, volunteer firefighter and work fulltime as an EMT. I talked to the AF recruiter today about being a AF Firefighter. He stated if I wanted to be just a firefighter I shouldn't waste his time because the AF is "too fat" and he has other jobs he needs to fill and I would have to pick 2 other options. Towards the end of out conversation he asked some basic info and because my credit isn't the best I may be disqualified. Is there any way around this?

Its just like any other job that requires background and credit checks, they want to know they can trust you. all AF firefighters are required to maintain a SECRET security clearance. sometimes bad credit or other marks on your record will disqualify you, or make the clearance process longer. your best bet is to talk to another recruiter or find different options. he is right on one account, the air force is fat in firefighters and getting a spot anytime soon is difficult, but not impossible.

keep in mind, there is no way around a security clearance. recruiters may get you to lie about certain medical or drug use history, but if you lie about something pertaining to your security clearance, they WILL find out and you will be highly disappointed about the results. good luck in whatever you decide to do

[CConroy]

dloomis send me an email and ill try and help you out. im a active duty af fireman so i can help you through the process. my email address is [email protected].
SrA Christopher Conroy
Firefighter/ EVO
Hickam AFB HI

[peterbound]

Its just like any other job that requires background and credit checks, they want to know they can trust you. all AF firefighters are required to maintain a SECRET security clearance. sometimes bad credit or other marks on your record will disqualify you, or make the clearance process longer. your best bet is to talk to another recruiter or find different options. he is right on one account, the air force is fat in firefighters and getting a spot anytime soon is difficult, but not impossible.

keep in mind, there is no way around a security clearance. recruiters may get you to lie about certain medical or drug use history, but if you lie about something pertaining to your security clearance, they WILL find out and you will be highly disappointed about the results. good luck in whatever you decide to do

Ha, don't sweat the background check. I had a messed up couple of years when was a teenager and none of it came up. Just tell the background investigator the same thing you told the recruiter/MEPs and you'll be alright. Just keep you story straight. I ended up with a TS/SI/TK clearance for my first job. Unless you are taking a Poly (and i passed that one too) you will be alright.