Military Experience

[plisken]

Thought we should see how many Military Personnel and from what branches we currently have in the firefighter ranks. (Active Duty, Reservists/Guards, or people prior Duty. It is interesting how many military people become firefighters, or firefighters still serving our country. This is just to start something new.

I did a 10 years active duty Navy, all East coast, (AW) rescue swimmer. That is where I joined a Vol fire dept in california, Md.
Enjoyed being a firefighter so much I left the Navy to become a Firefighter.

[AZFF25]

US Navy
Seabees
Utilitiesman-Plumber (Turd Chaser)
Early 1990's

[FireDawgEMT22]

6 years Navy
USS Wyoming Blue Crew
Nuke ET (Reactor Operator)
ET2(SS)

[the1141man]

2 yrs Guard, 68W (Healthcare Specialist, aka "MEDIC!!!") hidden somewhere within the 40th ID(M)....

[gunnyv]

20 yrs USMC Reserve. Started out as a Combat Engineer (MOS 1371), lat moved to ARFF (MOS 7051) in 97. I was drawn to the fire service by my Marine leaders-fire team leader, squad leader, and 1st Sgt were all firefighters when I was a PFC.

Now, let's get this out of the way..

SQUIDS !

[plisken]

Gunnyv did you do any boat time or stay feet dry? You guys are a part of the NAVY also, You had to see a boat or two.

[gunnyv]

Plisken,

Feet dry, I'm an air winger in a support squadron. We fly in to build the bases so our Brothers can get off your nasty boats.

We Marines understand that we are part of the Department of the Navy. The MENS Department. Just keep signing those checks.

The insults are all in fun, of course. All services do a great job in their particular missions. We just got the fun ones. Wait'll Vinnie shows up to brag about the Grunts.

[plisken]

I was a SKY JOCKEY only went to the boat when they told me to, Never chipped paint, All I had to do was go flying and sleep. Nice thing about the aviation side of things. Ships company hated us at times but as long as we brought mail and supplies then we were good friends.

[doughesson]

I was in 1984 to 1988.I was a Boiler Technician the first couple years I was in my destroyer USS Mahan DDG 42.Then I decided to "Change my rate to bosun's mate,doo dah,doo dah"and spent the rest of my hitch chipping paint,handling mooring lines,driving the boat lookout watches and what not.
That was more fun than watching guages and trying to explain to the Top Watch that "The reasons the readings are different on the guages now as opposed to when I last made the rounds of the fireroom is because the engines were sped up and there is now an increased demand for steam so the numbers are higher now."

[doughesson]

There's an old saying"I can see what you airedales do to earn your flight pay but what do you do to get your base pay?"
I know of one incident off the east coast of Italy(Adriatic Sea)when the helo managed to drop a bright orange bag into the water instead of gently lowering it to the deck.
That was almost the first time a SH60 Seahawk got shot down by a Terrier missile.

I was a SKY JOCKEY only went to the boat when they told me to, Never chipped paint, All I had to do was go flying and sleep. Nice thing about the aviation side of things. Ships company hated us at times but as long as we brought mail and supplies then we were good friends.

[JohnVBFD]

Navy twice

Currently a Damage Controlman but just applied to the Riverine Warfare Squadrons. If I get picked up I might stay in for 2 more years. If not, the next ship I sail on will be an awesome new class, the DD-214 class.

[ROOKIELZ]

Hubby was a Royal Canadian Dragoon.
He got his first taste of firefighting on the ranges.
He started volunteering as soon as he got out of the Military. That was in '93 and he's been going ever since. He has (so far!) worked his way up to Deputy Chief.

[DaSharkie]

3 years United States Marine Corps - 1st Radio Battalion (now 3rd Radio Bn. MCBH Kaneohe Bay, HI).

[len1582]

U.S.M.C. 1972 - 1975
0311 = infintry rifleman
1st Bn. 8th Regiment out of Camp Geiger, down the road from "Mainside"
After getting out I still wanted to do "something special". I lived down the block from Vol fire house where a few guys I knew belonged. Joined up in '76 and loved it. I felt that was what I wanted to do full time so I went to a large city, took the test and got on in '81.

[len1582]

Does anyone know what Camp Geiger is used for these days? I heard there haven't been any grunt units there for a long time. Maybe it's a snake farm. Those little ba$tard$ were always making their way into the barracks.

[Squad1LT]

Air Force for 3 years
381st Intel Squadron Elmendorf AFB Alaska

[ebratton03]

I did 12 years as a DOD Firefighter, with my last position as Dep Chief, Mil Personnel for Ft Rucker FD. Currently a CH-47D Pilot looking forward to a few more years and retirement. If it wasnt for the age restriction on most major metro fire departments, I would go back after retirement from the military (at age 40). I really wouldnt even mind being a probie again, even though Im sure I would have to endure my share of geritol and ben gay jokes
If anyone knows a major metro dept that does not have an age restriction (because I still think Im in better shape now than when I was 25) please let me know at erik.bratton@us.army.mil

______________________________ _
CW2 Erik Bratton
CH-47D Pilot
"Slick"

[jccrabby3084]

US Navy 1994-1999
Damage Control
USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG-34) and USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75)


To Doc....the DD-214 class of ship is by far the best I ever served on. You can come and go as you please, noone tells you what to do (depending on command), no inspections, nobody worries about your uniform...it is nice!

To Gunny...Gee you say Squids like it is a bad thing. Oh well, people from IL and other places think calling me a cheesehead is an insult too. That's ok.
NAVY...Never again volunteer yourself
MARINE...Muscles are required, intelligence not essential
(yeah I like to play the kid around game too)

[gunnyv]

Does anyone know what Camp Geiger is used for these days? I heard there haven't been any grunt units there for a long time. Maybe it's a snake farm. Those little ba$tard$ were always making their way into the barracks.

len,

Camp Geiger is the home of the East Coast School of Infantry. It is now accessed through the gate for MCAS New River. I know because I spent 6 months at New River in 2003, and the Geiger chow hall had much better food than the MCAS.

jccrabby,

All in fun. Bring it on, mopjockey.

[KBRfiredog]

did just under 3 years Air Force firefighting ( I got out early for bad behavior )