I know this thread is a year old, but oh well, just in case this still applies or if there are other DC (or any military branch for that matter)out there with a similar question.

I also was a DC2 when I got out and went to look towards a career dept. I was straight out of HS when I enlisted and thought that the DC would springboard me into a job....wrong. Education is the key, get a degree, get EMT or paramedic preferably to help you land a job. The military experience will usually mean some vet points, but those won't matter if you don't meet the perrequisites for the dept you are applying for.

Navy FF is very different than structural, there is no "defensive" operations in the Navy. The fire is put out or else it is a long swim to the shallow end of the pool. Another issue is many of those quals you have in the Navy, don't translate well, if at all in the civilian world. OSL, TL, access/overhaul, investigator and so forthmean nothing in a career dept. Investigator in the Navy and in the civilian world are night and day.

IFSAC is a good start because many states do recognize that training vs having to get the state certs. IFSAC is more nationally recognized, but is not always the case, it is up to the individual dept to accept it or not. If still serving in the Navy, they can be difficult to obtain because you would tend to have to go to the DOD fire school, which most commands won't send you to. If still serving I highly, highly recommend you take advantage of PACE courses or classes offered through the Navy Campus. Take whatever general education course you can because the credits will transfer. I also recommend taking CLEP and DANTES tests, which will give you college credits, again these are usually offered through the Navy Campus.

My recommendation is to NOT rely upon your Navy training to get you a FF job. Take advantage of education. I would recommend you look into a technical college or community college which offers a fire protection degree. Look early, because some colleges have a wait list for the fire program. Take advantage of your GI Bill and get your degree. If taking college courses while serving, those credits can knock out many general education classes giving you more free time. Apply for fire deprtments while in school, you may have a degree by the time they may hire. Get your degree and fire certifications and if possible try to get your paramedic.

I am not in CO or IA, but I have applied and tested for Cerdar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque, IA fire departments. Those depts did have requirements to meet and the Navy experience alone did not help. Again education will be the key to getting a job.

Hello Ryan, I was flight deck crash crew and would like to ask for futher direction on the process as I live in Louisville, KY and I am transitioning careers after 11yrs in telecommunication due to ecomony. Please let me know the best way to setup sometime to chat. Thanks - JaMale

i was an army firefighter (21M) and when i got out my DOD FF cert was only looked at and approved by other departments so i went out and got my FF-II which is the same stuff i learned in AIT so its all a matter ware u go and as far as ladder school let the department train u the way they want any more questions fill free to email me