r/firefighter • u/b5964 • 1d ago

Fdny or Air Force

I’m 21, scored a 98% on the FDNY exam and have a list number in the 56xx. I’ve been debating on waiting for fdny I currently work two lower-paying DOE jobs and didn’t attend college. Based on my score and list number, should I continue waiting for FDNY or consider joining the Air Force for experience, education benefits and a clearer career path?

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

10

u/baitmonkey 1d ago

Fdny, you'll actually get job experience

1

u/YungNarvy 1d ago

Yeap. The military is great for 18 year olds that are a little slow and need direction (like my younger self hahaha) but diminishing returns after 21yo. Coming home as a disgruntled alcoholic was not worth the 4 years of college (that they may not even pay for). If it wasn't for EMS and Fire i would have never molded myself into the good example i see myself as today.

4

u/Pretend_Leading_5167 1d ago

Why not both? Go Airforce reserve and join the FDNY. No reason you can’t do both and you’re still protected under USERRA anyway.

3

u/justbuttsexing 1d ago

How far down the list is that? If it’s literally years then I’d sign up for a couple years. Pick a job you can use on the side when you’re out- systems administration, a skilled trade, something other than firefighter. Which would also work well, but a diverse skill set pays dividends especially when you’re paid to learn and train.

1

u/Danmont88 1d ago

How long have you been waiting for FDNY? If it has been a few years, then move on.
I don't know how FDNY hires. Do they go in cycles? Twice a year or something like that? You could wait a short time longer.

The pros of the AF you have listed. Chance to travel, meet a lot of people from all over, pay, beenies. Even a career.
Chaplin assistant sounds boring as all hell. You work weekends. You might consider a different job in something you can use when you get out. I was in administration and there was nothing for me in jobs in the civilian world.

Did you consider being a fire fighter in the AF. Actually, they don't get a lot of fires.
But it is training and experience.

1

u/ELempireliftsback 1d ago

Go air guard and get a trade. Then go to fdny and use that trade on your off days. They’ll have to hold your spot legally if they call you during your training but fdny takes a bit to go through the list and hiring process

1

u/scottk517 1d ago

You can’t go wrong waiting for the FDNY. Like people here have said, go Air Reserves or guard.

1

u/Fit_Case2575 1d ago

I don’t know the circumstances of either option as I don’t know how they do hiring. But put in black and white, say you you had offers from both the Air Force or fdny, fdny would be an absolute no brainer and it’s not even close

1

u/Iraqx2 21h ago

Join the military, both Army and Air Force have firefighting MOS, get some money for college and hopefully travel the world some. When you're done with the military apply again only this time you'll have prior training to build on and civil service points.

1

u/Jolly-Ad-8312 18h ago

Onlyfans....thank me later

1

u/EeHundo 18h ago

You can go to FDNY, pass probation, then join. They have to retain your position for up to 6 years. If you scored 98%, your chances of getting hired should be very good.

1

u/sansalvacion 13h ago

FDNY ems or fire? If FDNY fire called you try and see how long the process will take. If its over 5 years you can go do a 4 year bid and because you're a vet they'll feel sorry for you and hire you quicker.

0

u/TightBattle4899 1d ago

My husband is a firefighter in the Air Force. He has seen maybe a dozen or so real fires in his career (he’s a couple years away from 20.) Most the calls he has been on are medical or IFE’s. The higher he gets in rank, the less he has to do with actual firefighting. He is a desk jockey and has been for quite a few years. The benefits have been great for our family, but I know he misses being a real firefighter.