Well, as some of you know im going to school for my associates in Fire Science. Well this is my final semester and ive been looking for jobs. Well, a few guys at school were talking about this and man does this sound interesting...

Heres the job listing:
http://cms.firehouse.com/jobs/iraq.jsp

Now I have zero military backround other than great grandfather in ww1 and grandfather in ww2, and an uncle in vietnam, I dont know anything about the military really other than heresay, and I dont pay attention to the iraq situation or anything either.

There is jobs posted by the military over in Iraq for firefighter and above positions. Ill fullful every category that is a requirement. Im looking for something new, something different. Im sick of all the same stuff here. Ive always been a real phyiscal person who isnt afraid to get dirty or get to work. I have the stamina of a work horse and have always been fit and in shape and a real healthy person. Like I said I have essentially zero knowledge of the military and what goes on, what they do, and the situation over in iraq but im really drawn to this job. Its a 1 year contract and you are on base and I figure this is a GREAT start as my career as a firefighter.

basically Id like to hear what you military guys think. Im very interested in this job..

 

Forget that, I'm getting out of the military to stay away from that place.

 

GET IT IN WRITING up and read it...ALL of it!!!!!! Uncle Sam is tricky. Was in for 2/4 (2-active, 4 reserve) ended updoing all 4 active...fine print! "IN times of war, or great need" ect...1990 OP just cause, dest shield. No fun.

 

i wouldnt do it..:dots:

 

Dude I work for the fire department get a job here.

First off those are high risk jobs as is as a fire fighter but now you got to do it without getting shot or blown up.

2nd If your going to make it anywhere in a county position you need to work from the bottom up. No joke its a later and its based on reputation alone.

Seriously i'm pretty high up on the rank in my operation with the fire department I dont have a degree I went from a punk 15 year old to a almost 20 year old success.Thasts how its done. Hell we have guys here that havent graduated high school and they are Captains.

 

Unlike the other people who posted I actually read the job advertisment. First, Wackenhut is an international corporation specializing in security and fire service. The military has nothing to do with it even though you will be surrounded by a lot of soldiers, marines, etc.. Second, Wackenhut provides the fire/security for many, many federal and civilian entities., For instance, Wackenhut secures/fire protects the nuclear test site about 90 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada. So they will do what they say...Third, there are some combat veterans who are members of Mustang Tuning and if I may speak for them, being in a combat zone is "the experience of a lifetime"...Fourth, you may get killed or badly wounded as there are no "safe" places, no matter what the ad says...Fifth, and for the sake of brevity, when you return to the good ole US of A and go apply for a job stateside. When the interviewer asks about your experience and you reply "Served one year as a firefighter in Iraq", he or she will extend their hand and say "welcome aboard". You will have proven yourself to them as someone who knows danger and death. There are certain intangables in life, being a veteran of a combat zone is one of them. For better or worse, you will never be the same guy!! Good luck.

 

This guy beat me to it but, yeah hes right. If you feel its for you do it. Its one year. If you don't like it come home.

 

I know a couple of coworkers of mine who are going to Iraq for civilian jobs paying 80 k tax free money. Man I wouldn't have the ***** for that. You stray away just once you'll be on video getting your head cut off. Or you could have the dreaded job of driving any type vehicle. Roadside bombs over there are too numerous and very well hidden. (those Iraqis can build a dam bomb better than anyone's business). I mean,, Have you ever watched the news clips of one of those bombs blowing up?? Geez. They know how to blow stuff up. It's way to unstable over there IMHO. 80 K aint worth it..

 

I am not sure how being a FF in Iraq is more dangerous then being one some place around here. Hell, FF's get shot at in NYC all the time.

I say do it if you want. Sure it is dangerous. We have sent like 600,000+ soldiers over there in the last 4 years and a few thousand have given their lives. While as tragic as it is and I wish we had everyone of them back, I wonder what the death rate would be back home in a US city of that same size. Hell, street racing is probably 10 times more dangerous then being in Iraq and half the knuckleheads around here that street race would proll tell you not to go.

As far as NOT being able to make it in a Fire Department when you get back because you have to "start at the bottom" is a real shame. That is because you would be making them feel insecure with all of your experience. What total BS! If I were you I would continue to take really cool jobs with Wackenhut and not waste your time with people with that attitude. You will get 10 years of experience in 12 months. If they can't see that, then that is there shortfall and not yours. Imagine making loads of dough being a FF for a nuc plant while in your early 20's, a job those other guys won't be able to touch.

 

Everyone has their price. I would go for $500k.

 

i went out there and made 12k in 4 months iraq is not that bad. i can tell you that there were about 5 fires everyday (mostly dumpster fires). i didnt fight fires im just sayin that i saw a lot of fires while i was there. the food is ok its hot in summer and rains quit a bit in the winter months. oh yeah and there is the occasional mortar attack and the hours are long but you should be used to that.

i just read some of the other posts. some of them i have to disagree on. firefighters will be on base unless the base commander tells you to go put a fire out in the local village. those people who were kidnapped were jet fuel tanker drivers or something else like that. i dont watch cnn because its all b/s. i think the figitng in iraq is retarded but hey its what the president wants.

guy, if want to make some good money being in a austere enviorment saving the lives of soldiers that are protecting our rights as citizens of the U.S. then go ahead and do it.

 

Thanks for the great replys that some of you gave... others werent so helpful. You still have to think though, 90k, on base, minimal expenses. Yes that is actually a very hefty sum of money and would be a HUGE downpayment or something on a nice huge house (After I put a couple bucks into my musang). Im only 22 and my birthday is June 3 so ill be 23 right at the end of graduation. Money is a nice factor here but im looking for something that will be a jumpstart in my career. Im also looking for something new and different. A firefighter in Iraq sure would make be (as an interviewer) say "wow this might be someone we should consider. To give you an idea on how tough it is here to get a job as a firefighter... Racine Fire Department here had I believe, 4 positions last year. They recieved 800 applications in a town of 80,000 people. They start a salary of right at 40k a year. I have to have something other than a degree that makes me stand out from those that have it as well.

 

Matt, if you wanna do it, go for it. Like they said, its a year, if you love it, do it again, if you hate it, leave with 80k in your pocket, and something that you cant buy---experience. It sounds like you would meet the requirements and you would enjoy it. I say go for it.

 

nail on the head

 

Id also like to add that saturday EMT from 8 to 430 sucks.

back to class...
:wallbash: