Originally Posted by FDNYOldGuy

I know this thread is a couple months stale, but I’m new to APC and wanted to jump in here after seeing lots of fire pilot bros posting.

I’m a similar situation with a somewhat rhyming story. Always wanted to fly and am finally making it happen. I was told no dice on an Air Force pilot slot without a STEM degree by a recruiter (when do they lie?) way back in 2004 and took that as the gospel. So, I followed my other dream of being a firefighter. I started in 2005 and have been working in my current department for north of 11 years. I absolutely love it. But, after finally deciding to get my PPL two years ago, I was convinced by a mil friend to give the mil flying another shot, even with my...ah, advanced...age. I thought it was going to be impossible, but to make a long story really short, it worked out and I’m currently working my way through UPT and going to be flying a (reeeeaaaaalllly) heavy for the Reserves when all is said and done.

Depending on what you’re up for, it might make a lot of sense for you to look into your Reserve/Guard options to get you those hours. Here are a few big reasons it might make sense; especially if you want to keep working civil service.

First, it’s a way to take service to the national level, fly some pretty fun airplanes, and make some great friends. Oh, and the fact you’re getting paid to do it all while gaining hours and ratings helps, too. Sure, there are not-small sacrifices, but it’s been completely worth it, thus far.

Second, USERRA protects everyone, but civil service agencies tend to be a hell of a lot better at taking care of military service. If you stay with your current department, you’ll get at least 5 years of military service time that’ll count toward your retirement/pension. Even more, actually, as OTS/SERE/UPT have all been marked USERRA-exempt for me, so I’ll have another year and a half of mil service that’s pensionable time in addition to the 5. If you go to another department, many will let you buy up to 3 years of pre-hire military service back to reduce your required working years. Add that to the 5 after hire and, well, you’re moving closer to a pension while mil flying.

Even more, most departments will also give you military service points for applying or promotional examinations. Getting those extra mil service points can put you a lot higher up the hiring and promotional lists.

Third, a lot of departments will offer additional military leave pay, so you’ll still get paid by the department for some of the you’re on orders.

As for your questions about part-time, basing, etc., I am curious about those as well. As of now, I’m just focused on getting through training, to my unit, and then doing the best I can there before getting spit back out as a Traditional Reservist and returning to the FD in another year and a half or so. Once I get closer to that time, I’m certainly going to start looking at the same things you are about potential “part time” employment. I don’t have any intentions of leaving the department before earning a retirement, so it kinda rules out airlines, but who knows?

Anyway, feel free to hit me up if you have any questions about the Reserve/Guard options (or just to talk fire career stuff) and I’ll help however I can. It’s good to see all you other fire folks posting up and enjoying aviation.

Stay safe out there!