Fire-Fighter or Full-Time Student?

2019-07-15T00:53:50-04:00

I am separating from active duty in only four months and am confused what my path should be. I'm only 22 if that helps in any capacity. So every male in my family was a firefighter and loved it. In my state they also make a very good living, extremely well even. The benefits are excellent too and the test is in april 2020 and only happens every two years. This would be great because I could start working earlier and make a lot of money to jumpstart my life. On the other hand, I love college and do classes while active in the military. I have about 30-35 credits right now. I could also use my GI Bill and go full time for business as I would also try to go to Harvard BS for an MBA if this was my path. I'm just not sure what the smarter choice is? I would also love to work in an office setting as well. I know fireman can do school as well due to their schedule, but I would probably just pursue on or the other, not both. Thank you!

Response by Jenn Moynihan made Jul 15 at 2019 1:00 AM

2019-07-15T01:00:36-04:00

Tough question but if you’ve the credits already I’d say forge on ahead. Finish the bachelor’s at least.

My nephew, who had a Congressional letter for the Navy, wasn’t able to go in due to his hip. He is a full-time student (a year younger than you) at UVA & a part-time volunteer fire-fighter in Virginia.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2019 1:07 AM

2019-07-15T01:07:00-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Just because other family members were firefighters, does not mean that you need to take that route. As you mentioned, you could become a firefighter while you continue your education. Good luck.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 15 at 2019 1:08 AM

2019-07-15T01:08:13-04:00

Art Fern (Johnny Carson) during his Tea Time segments used to say "When you hit a fork in the road, take it." I'll only add that if you're a hard charger who likes periodic accomplishments and redefining yourself every 3-5 years, then do one and then the other if you still have the gumption. At my point in life, I feel I've lived different lifetimes. Wouldn't have it any other way. I could have done other things, but the path I took was unique to me. Just remember that years down the road, you'll hit a point where your don't want to or can't work anymore. Know that day is coming. Whatever your plan is, keep moving forward so when you hit the won't or can't stage, you're set. BTW, in the real world, MBAs are a dime a dozen. It's who you are and what you can contribute that will make the true difference.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 15 at 2019 3:09 AM

2019-07-15T03:09:26-04:00

Go to college. Be a part-time firefighter. I have 5 years of college and no degree. It is who you know the young man. I could have been a General. My battalion commander told me as a two star I was better than any colonel he ever had worked for him. He retired as a 3 star. Ron Hite. As a civilian, I call him Ron. Not Sir.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2019 3:10 AM

2019-07-15T03:10:05-04:00

If I had a dollar for every Infantryman who told me they're going to be a firefighter or cop, I'd have a lot of dollars.
Piss poor planning creates piss poor results.
Let's point out the obvious flaws in your current plan. 1 - you ETS in 4 months and have no plan in place. 2 - your testing is in 9 months but you ETS in 12 months. 3 - you don't actually know if you want to be a firefighter. 4 - you don't know how you'll pay for your MBA; your one year of undergraduate will not be enough savings for that. 5 - the benefits for being a firefighter don't matter significantly to you because you already have better benefits; if that was a driving factor you'd stay Army 6 - you don't care what the smarter path is, you didn't enlist Infantry for the smartest path, you're looking for fulfillment. Obviously, this current enlistment hasn't filled that need. So, you're thinking the next likely target is to go towards what other people do for fulfillment. That will just make you unhappy.

I would suggest you think about what you enjoy rather than what is safe. If I was a betting man, I would bet on seeing you in an OCS program in the near future, whether it's state or federal. There's no reason to use your GI Bill when the military will pay for your school free of charge. Every step you take in the military higher on the leadership scale has a direct correlation to the civilian business sector. Take this from someone who left the Army with no skills other than leadership - leadership is the best business skill you can possess, and it will get you selected and promoted above your peers

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Jul 15 at 2019 4:13 AM

2019-07-15T04:13:31-04:00

Get your degree IF you are going to get a job after that requires it. I know a lot of college-educated Hooters Girls.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 15 at 2019 5:01 AM

2019-07-15T05:01:51-04:00

You have to follow your dream. Decide what you see yourself doing most king term. Since your brothers work Fire, do a few day ride along, I am sure it has been a while. Anyway, we cannot decide for you both are solid plans, it is truly about how you see your life in the future. Good luck and thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jul 15 at 2019 12:04 PM

2019-07-15T12:04:48-04:00

You can still be a Wildland firefighter for the Forest Service or Dept. of Lands and still go to school. My nephew did it for six years while going to college.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 15 at 2019 12:19 PM

2019-07-15T12:19:12-04:00

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 15 at 2019 12:42 PM

2019-07-15T12:42:28-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I defer to SFC Private RallyPoint Member comments about a plan and planning.

It may not be either or. You may be required to obtain an Associates or Bachelors in Fire Science or related field to compete to be a firefighter. Ensure you understand the requirements for your state and localality. Understand what is minimum requirements, what is "competitive", and how long you'll be in The process. Not everyone gets picked up, or they sit on an order of merit type list.

As for college as a plan, your 30+ credits are all subject to the capricious and fickle whims of the gaining institution. They could take all or none. It's up to them. They are usually elective or general ed box checks. If you have transferred credit from an accreditated institution your odds go up. What is your goal after graduation? Your immediate task will be pounding the pavement and trying to find a job. The degree will not guarantee a job, or "the" job. Simply ask people working very hard at Chilli's to scratch out an honest living. Be prepare to move to find the job you want, in the field you want, in the industry you want.

Don't get wound up on a Harvard MBA. If you are going to live in the metro Boston Area, there over 300+ colleges And universities inside the 495 loop. Look for an institution with the highest AASCB (longest) accreditation for their business program. You pay for a name, it doesn't make you any smarter than you were yesterday, especially since you'll have to carry that on your back financially for decades. As an example California State University San Bernardino was a ten year accreditation (and a US News and World Report Top Business Program) when I went for my MBA , meaning they come back in 10 years to check. That's the highest accreditation. Your immediate obstacle is to be accepted to a four year institution. Then you'll have to get a good score on the GMAT To get into the graduate program and be accepted into the MBA program. You may want to see if there is a 3+2 program to earn a masters and bachelor's concurrently, especially as an undergraduate business major. The beauty of an MBA is that you can easily do another major undergrad. My under grad was in Civil Engineering.

You may want to closely examine related fields to business. Business Analytics is up and coming, you'll need a knowledge of analytical and database platforms such as SQL, Python, SAAS, and possibly even ERPs like SAP, Oracle's cloud platform, and PeopleSoft. You may even need some programming and network knowledge to make those work. I mention Cyber Security and IT last as they are always recommended, perhaps over recommended. Look at the industry field/trade professional association news letters/magazines to see what they are talking about.

This is all predicated on your financial situation and being able to support yourself while you do all this.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 15 at 2019 6:30 PM

2019-07-15T18:30:14-04:00

Write down your long term goals and see how going to school or being a fire fighter supports it.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 15 at 2019 9:00 PM

2019-07-15T21:00:26-04:00

I love fire fighting and EMS with a passion and started off as an EMT at age 18.What I did might be an option for you. I went to college, got my nursing degree, commissioned into the Army, became a critical care nurse, and then later my paramedic. I have now volunteered at several places as a fire fighter/paramedic and have contributed both a great deal of time and money to serving in my community in addition to serving in the Army. Very fulfilling and I make a lot more than I ever would have as a fire fighter anywhere in the country.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 9 at 2019 8:04 AM

2019-10-09T08:04:38-04:00

Where is your HOR?