fedfireman
New Member
Hello everyone,
I have been lurking here off and on for the better part of the last decade and finally decided to sign up. I have a few questions (I've browsed and searched but have not been able to find definitive threads,) and would like to introduce myself.
I am 26 years old, father of 2 dependent children, and currently work for the DOD as a firefighter. I enlisted in 2004 @ 17 years old before graduating high school. I had attended an accelerated program in which I attended 2 H.S. classes at a college and then filled out my schedule there. I, however, did not graduate high school because I was set to ship out in August and being in the innaugural class in the program there were some discrepancies with my transcripts. When I went to MEPS they told me I qualified as a H.S. grad so I shipped out.
Early on in life, I had all but given up on any real dreams I ever had. I was far too busy chasing tail than getting good grades. I had always dreamed of becoming a Naval Aviator, Doctor, or a Firefighter.
I attended boot camp right before the Hurricane wiped out Pcola so as a contracted AM I was forced into a new A/C school program in San Diego. After C school I was assigned to HC-3 (later HSC-3). After my 2 years at a shore billet I was selected to stand up a pre-comm squadron for the MH-60R, HSM-71. There I made E-4 and E-5 and deployed shortly thereafter. I went above and beyond for the squadron filling whatever role they needed me in (120, 310, 120, det-1, det-3, 120, etc) had multi-systems CDI and 120/12C CDQAR.
Midway through deployment, I decided I needed to make a move before I made E-6 (up for exam Sep 09') and crossed my perceived point of no return. I was honorably discharged Aug 09' planning to go back to school with my GI-bills. Life got in the way for a couple years, and I landed a really good job with the DOD fullfilling one of my childhood dreams.
Unfortunately, after being in the professional fire service for a few years, and seeing what a life in the FS meant for my children (middle class in this country gets the long shaft), I decided I needed to go for broke. My ultimate dream was/is to be a strike fighter pilot, but my ultimate long-term goal was to become a Navy Physician via USUHS. I had ignorantly decided it had to be one or the other and neglected to do any research into fullfilling both. Until now!
I scoured the internet for months looking for any and all information I could find on USUHS, but overlooked the positively orgasmic path to USUHS. That is the path of a Pilot-Physician. That is where I sit now. 12 months away from graduation from a regionally accredited university, albeit online, I am HOPEFULLY going to be dropping a package in Jan or Feb 14'. I know I may be a long-shot of an applicant, but I really don't care. I am going to do it... or I suppose I'll be fighting fire for the next 16 years... but god willing! I will become a Pilot-Physician!
So anywho, that's me in a nutshell. I'm sure I left a ton of pertinent information out but it's late. I'm also sure the structure of my post is a little wonky as I have been editing as I go, but I hope it gives you all a decent understanding of who I am.
The negs:
I am currently 40lbs heavier than I was when I got out (220lbs 69"). But I am working to get back to running my 10mi a day and weight training 4 days a week.
I have a 3/4 sleeve tattoo that I got when I was in, but was undocumented.
I have a 3.3gpa but from an online curriculum and in a less than well-known field. (B.S. Fire Science Administration)
I owe taxes... (first year with a regular Civ job... spouse thought she was supposed to list me and our children on her exemptions form too...) but I'm on a payment plan.
I got my GED in 10'.
I work 24 on 24 off, 72hrs a week, am a father of 2 young children, full-time student, part-time EMT, volunteer Captain with my local muni dept, and am currently putting my wife through nursing school... So I have about -8hrs a week to spend getting ready for application.
Questions:
I have the motivation, I'm not a dumba$$, and I legitimately want to make a LONG career out of the Navy. How good are my chances?
My tattoo extends about 3 inches below my elbow and cover the entire circumference of my arm. Can I wear 3xl PT shirts?? No I'm kidding, but what is the likelihood I will get a waiver/be competitive with said waiver? My tattoo is not offensive, is nautical in nature, and is FAR too much to be lased off.
How important is H.S. diploma vs. GED when I have a DD-214, and a B.S.?
My OSO said as long as my degree is Regionally accredited (confirmed with Waldorf on nothing identifying distance learning) I should be good. I originally thought I'd have to attend a REAL Uni for undergrad and pre-med so I let my grades slip to 3.3 but I can get them up to at least a 3.5/6 by graduation. Have any of you heard anything to the contrary?
I feel as though I make for a decent whole picture candidate but I've admittedly been over-confident as of late. I've only ever flown a helo via cabin trim controls, haven't taken any aviation aptitude tests, but scored an 86 on my ASVAB 9 years ago haha...
Is there anything I need to be doing to make myself more competitive? I am still in contact with some of my O's from DET's and I have made many new contacts on the Army side of the house. Should I be looking for LOR's? I received the Army Civilian Achievement Medal... Does that mean anything?
On a side, completely unimportant, bar. Will I be authorized to wear said medal?
Ok... So, with all of that out of the way, I want to thank you guys. I spent months on the SDN forums with a WHOLE bunch of humdrums and non-motivational speakers. I have spent the last few weeks on here and you guys are some of the most motivational people I have ever seen. (Minus A4 for being such an A$$ about tattoos! JK... but I'm no trailer trash!)
Thank you all again, I hope to, one day, be half as high speed as you fellas.
I have been lurking here off and on for the better part of the last decade and finally decided to sign up. I have a few questions (I've browsed and searched but have not been able to find definitive threads,) and would like to introduce myself.
I am 26 years old, father of 2 dependent children, and currently work for the DOD as a firefighter. I enlisted in 2004 @ 17 years old before graduating high school. I had attended an accelerated program in which I attended 2 H.S. classes at a college and then filled out my schedule there. I, however, did not graduate high school because I was set to ship out in August and being in the innaugural class in the program there were some discrepancies with my transcripts. When I went to MEPS they told me I qualified as a H.S. grad so I shipped out.
Early on in life, I had all but given up on any real dreams I ever had. I was far too busy chasing tail than getting good grades. I had always dreamed of becoming a Naval Aviator, Doctor, or a Firefighter.
I attended boot camp right before the Hurricane wiped out Pcola so as a contracted AM I was forced into a new A/C school program in San Diego. After C school I was assigned to HC-3 (later HSC-3). After my 2 years at a shore billet I was selected to stand up a pre-comm squadron for the MH-60R, HSM-71. There I made E-4 and E-5 and deployed shortly thereafter. I went above and beyond for the squadron filling whatever role they needed me in (120, 310, 120, det-1, det-3, 120, etc) had multi-systems CDI and 120/12C CDQAR.
Midway through deployment, I decided I needed to make a move before I made E-6 (up for exam Sep 09') and crossed my perceived point of no return. I was honorably discharged Aug 09' planning to go back to school with my GI-bills. Life got in the way for a couple years, and I landed a really good job with the DOD fullfilling one of my childhood dreams.
Unfortunately, after being in the professional fire service for a few years, and seeing what a life in the FS meant for my children (middle class in this country gets the long shaft), I decided I needed to go for broke. My ultimate dream was/is to be a strike fighter pilot, but my ultimate long-term goal was to become a Navy Physician via USUHS. I had ignorantly decided it had to be one or the other and neglected to do any research into fullfilling both. Until now!
I scoured the internet for months looking for any and all information I could find on USUHS, but overlooked the positively orgasmic path to USUHS. That is the path of a Pilot-Physician. That is where I sit now. 12 months away from graduation from a regionally accredited university, albeit online, I am HOPEFULLY going to be dropping a package in Jan or Feb 14'. I know I may be a long-shot of an applicant, but I really don't care. I am going to do it... or I suppose I'll be fighting fire for the next 16 years... but god willing! I will become a Pilot-Physician!
So anywho, that's me in a nutshell. I'm sure I left a ton of pertinent information out but it's late. I'm also sure the structure of my post is a little wonky as I have been editing as I go, but I hope it gives you all a decent understanding of who I am.
The negs:
I am currently 40lbs heavier than I was when I got out (220lbs 69"). But I am working to get back to running my 10mi a day and weight training 4 days a week.
I have a 3/4 sleeve tattoo that I got when I was in, but was undocumented.
I have a 3.3gpa but from an online curriculum and in a less than well-known field. (B.S. Fire Science Administration)
I owe taxes... (first year with a regular Civ job... spouse thought she was supposed to list me and our children on her exemptions form too...) but I'm on a payment plan.
I got my GED in 10'.
I work 24 on 24 off, 72hrs a week, am a father of 2 young children, full-time student, part-time EMT, volunteer Captain with my local muni dept, and am currently putting my wife through nursing school... So I have about -8hrs a week to spend getting ready for application.
Questions:
I have the motivation, I'm not a dumba$$, and I legitimately want to make a LONG career out of the Navy. How good are my chances?
My tattoo extends about 3 inches below my elbow and cover the entire circumference of my arm. Can I wear 3xl PT shirts?? No I'm kidding, but what is the likelihood I will get a waiver/be competitive with said waiver? My tattoo is not offensive, is nautical in nature, and is FAR too much to be lased off.
How important is H.S. diploma vs. GED when I have a DD-214, and a B.S.?
My OSO said as long as my degree is Regionally accredited (confirmed with Waldorf on nothing identifying distance learning) I should be good. I originally thought I'd have to attend a REAL Uni for undergrad and pre-med so I let my grades slip to 3.3 but I can get them up to at least a 3.5/6 by graduation. Have any of you heard anything to the contrary?
I feel as though I make for a decent whole picture candidate but I've admittedly been over-confident as of late. I've only ever flown a helo via cabin trim controls, haven't taken any aviation aptitude tests, but scored an 86 on my ASVAB 9 years ago haha...
Is there anything I need to be doing to make myself more competitive? I am still in contact with some of my O's from DET's and I have made many new contacts on the Army side of the house. Should I be looking for LOR's? I received the Army Civilian Achievement Medal... Does that mean anything?
On a side, completely unimportant, bar. Will I be authorized to wear said medal?
Ok... So, with all of that out of the way, I want to thank you guys. I spent months on the SDN forums with a WHOLE bunch of humdrums and non-motivational speakers. I have spent the last few weeks on here and you guys are some of the most motivational people I have ever seen. (Minus A4 for being such an A$$ about tattoos! JK... but I'm no trailer trash!)
Thank you all again, I hope to, one day, be half as high speed as you fellas.
