Served With Honor - Please read before posting!

Hello my name is Robert O'Brien and I was in the United States Army for almost 7 year's. My rank was E-4 and I was stationed in Baghdad at Camp Falcon. I am a state certified Firefighter/EMT in the great state of Florida and also looking for a decent paying job, any help would be great thank you...
Contact me at "firewalkerz28@aol.com"
Sincerly: Robert O'Brien

My name is Charles Doolen. I know how everyone feels. I 10 years in the navy as a shipboard fire fighter, been to 94 different countrys, spent 9 months in Iraq as a chemical and biological weapons tech. The sad part is I got sick and tired of being deployed all the time and was turning 30 and if I want to be come a firefighter I needed to do it right now. So I got out of the Navy on christmas eve 2007 and could not find a job. I even applied for the federal fire fighters web site and got told they are not hiring. I was calling them 2 times a week. Had a hole bunk of certifications but were not good enough. So I moved back home to Rome NY and kept on trying. Finally a friend of mine got me hooked up with the Utica NY fire academy. So I did 13 weeks there. It was great. The instructors have a clue on what is going on. About 8 weeks into the academy Navy region Mid-atlantic called and offered job. Still unemployed I said I would accept. I has been a long road. Finished out the academy and started work in june 23 2008. There were time I want to give up but Every time I saw my friends or a fire engine made me want that passion even more. I guess what I am trying to say is just dont give up. If you want it bad enough it will happen. if you are interested in getting into the federal fire service for the navy and marines google search department of navy human resources and it should be the first link called chart or donhr.chart. something to that. Set up a account and apply. If you need help my email address is firefighterdoolen29@yahoo.com.

Thank you for your time and listening. Hopefully I can help someone.
Charles Doolen

my name is Robert Baitinger i am not a veteran but i am very proud of all that have served. I think it is a bad deal that they can not get work as firefighters when they return home. They have seem more then most firefighters here and departments should welcome them with open arms. They have given what many cant and they are there for our country. All i can say is open your eyes america if it was not for these folks where would we be. Thank you all service people God Bless All of you

My name is Jerry Downing, I'm retired from the USAF in 1981 as a Staff Sgt. I'm currently employed in Civil Service at Hill AFB, but not in Fire Fighting. I was in Aircraft Electronics while in the USAF and still work in electronics at the Air Base. I have volunteered with the Red Cross in Disaster Services. I have come to know a number of Fire Fighters here in Utah and while on Diaster wrok in other states. Although I can't help anyone in getting employment in any field of work, I have to agree with Robert BAitinger on his remarks about America opening it eyes and seeing what our service men and women have done for our country and help them in whatever way possible.

I support the idea of this forum catagory. I think that it should be continued. Anything that we can do to assist a Code 3 collector who is a Veteran or Active Duty Military firefighter to obtain a new job in the fire service is well worth the time.

I hope you guys accept this post!! i am in the Civil Air Patrol. it is the aux. of the air force. i am a cadet airman first class and i also volunteer at the local fire department were my dad has worked at for 23 years. i thank all those who have served our country and i hope to soon serve my country as well.

Pleased to have you post on here. Welcome

Thank you Scubaski