Should I join the Army Reserve first or get hired by a fire department first?
Should I join the Army Reserve first or get hired by a fire department first?
I’m looking for advice from anyone who’s been a firefighter while serving in the Army Reserve, especially as a 68W.
I’m already a certified paramedic and currently work full-time for a large private 911 EMS system. My long-term goal is to become a firefighter/paramedic with a large metro fire department while also serving in the Army Reserve as a 68W Combat Medic.
I’m trying to decide which path makes the most sense:
Join the Army Reserve first, complete Basic Training and AIT, then apply to fire departments.
Focus on getting hired by a fire department first, complete the academy and probation, and then join the Army Reserve.
My biggest concerns are:
Will being in the Reserve make it harder to get hired by a fire department?
How difficult is it to balance drill weekends, annual training, and possible deployments with a firefighter schedule?
If you could do it over again, would you choose a different order?
I’d especially like to hear from anyone who has done both careers or has experience hiring firefighters who are in the Guard or Reserve.
Thanks in advance—I appreciate any advice or lessons learned.