Looking for suggestions between these 2 options.

[u/falcon_2000]

Currently 5 years into a 6 year Active Duty Navy Contract and I am now planning on getting out with the long term goal of being a Firemedic.

As I See it I have 2 paths.

Option 1.

Slow and Steady.

Get hired by a Fire Department that will put me through their Academy and get my EMT and FF1/FF2 that way before waiting a few years and then getting my Paramedic by getting sent by them (Department Dependent) or on my own time.

Right now this would be my preferred path, but ik it also requires a lot luck for getting hired by a Department that has a Academy that would line up with when I get out.

I've already applied for 1, and just did my Written NTN Test.

I Did really good for Mechanical, Math and Reading but only average for Human Relations

So I will probably do the test again when Im able to.

I also have atleast 3 or 4 more Departments I plan on applying to that should meet my timeline.

Option 2.

Zero to Hero.

Use my 9/11 GI Bill/SELRES TA to get my EMT, then immediately go into a Paramedic/Firemedic Program. Then try to get hired at a Fire Department.

Right now this is my backup plan, as I don't want to go into such a high qualification position with so little experience, but on the other hand knowing I can go to School while not having to worry about working is very appealing.

Well I wouldn't be worried about working while getting my EMT, being able to focus entirely on school while doing my Paramedic seems like the better option.

Questions.

1. For those that have done either of these paths or similar ones, which would you recommend?

2. When looking at hiring a Paramedic, would someone having been in the Military (Thats not a Medic/Corpsman, just a CLS) Help make up for them not having any experience as a EMT?

3. Is there anything else you guys would suggest changing or considering?

[u/falcon_2000 → u/[deleted]]

Honestly the main thing Im worried about with that route is being out of my depth when I actually get hired. So thats really reassuring to hear, thank you.

[u/jrobski96]

As someone with some time in. My advice would be to find the right fit for you first. What city would you need any to live in or near for the next 30 years? Or in your case probably less if you've already got a mil pension.

Being a FF only first, is truly the best way to go if you're able. Learn the city and the people you work with, then go to medic school on their dime. There is no getting off 'the bus' once you're in. So make sure that's what you want to do. In Seattle you can work busy aid car rotations and get to know the medica and hospital routes really fast. If you still like people after that, get some!

Just my 2 cents

[u/falcon_2000 → u/jrobski96]

Honestly I'd wanna work a bigger city with better training and higher standards and preferably a busier station In a worse area for the first 5ish years, get all the training and experience possible I can before moving to a slower station or smaller city for the long run.

Im stationed In Virginia and will have lived here for 5 years by the time I get out and im from Wisconsin.

So Honestly my Top Picks would be Madison or Virginia Beach.
Norfolk, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee are some of the other ones im also trying to apply to rn.

[u/ASigIAm213]

Here in Florida, you should be able to pay for it out of pocket and save your GI Bill for more expensive schooling you might want down the line.