Greetings to all on this site! I've been observing for some time now and finally am getting around to introducing myself. I am currently a firefighter-paramedic and a rescue scuba diver with the fire department (almost entirely vehicle vs. canal dives). I'm waiting for the department to offer their flight medic training (once they outfit a new bird, another bell 412 I believe). I work on one of the busiest fire engines on the dept. as a paramedic. We see a fair amount of motor vehicle trauma and extrication calls. I'm also preparing to challenge the National Registry exam so that I have the points necessary to enter Pararescue training. I know that there are mixed feelings about this, but, it would be nice to shorten my time in the pipeline (if possible) by already maintaining my NREMT-P ceritfication. This is also a selling point with the wife. Undertaking a task this great without her support would be a recipe for failure!

I entered the Army as an Infanrtyman in '87, Airborne in '87 as well and served for three years in Texas and Korea. I exited the Florida National Guard in 1999 as a light Infantry mortar section sergeant (E-6) with a combined 11 years of service. I left to pursue my training on the department with the intention of returning to service if I found a worthwhile calling. I've cosidered working in the Army Reserve as a paramedic with a field hospital and spoke to some members of my department who are Guard SF, but upon learning about PJ's, their mission, and capabilities, I've decided that this is definitely the military career for me (Pararescue Reserve).

I've had some communication with the staff at the 920th at PAFB, and am currently bringing myself up to end of course standards. Unfortunately both pushups and pullups are my weakness, I'm very tall and lean. I'm also 35 years old, I need to go into Indoc meeting the exit standards. I'll be challenged enough to maintain the standards without injury ( I admit, I get a little bit more sore than I used to). I've been speaking extensively with one of my officers who is a retired PJ out of PAFB and am confident that I can balance the two careers and my family. I appreciate all of the information that I've seen on this site. Knowledge is power. I hope that I have something to offer here as well.

Welcome, best of luck in your training. a teammate I had who was nearly 40 called it dealing with mid-life crisis. Let your wife know that as well.