I’m at a crossroads

[AKDoug]

Have you thought of being a firefighter? Decent pay, tons of time off to do another business, satisfying service to the community.


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[The_War_Wagon]

"Son... if I'd only gotten to be a doctor for five minutes - THAT... would've been a tragedy."


I've done and seen some amazing things in almost 52 years; worked at some jobs most folks would consider MUCH more "exciting," than what I do now... but Doc Graham's words, are MY sentiments exactly.

I live vicariously by some of your stories here. I can ONLY imagine what it would've been like - to see the elephant, as some of you have - and live to tell about it. But I can't imagine NOT doing, what I'm doing now, until the day I can do no more. I can't wait to get up in the morning, and do what I do for a living.

To the OP: I hope you find your calling, and you do it as long as you can. When you find it, it won't even seem like work - you'll be amazed that someone actually PAYS you to do it.

[BIGUGLY]

Fire fighter....everyone loves a fire fighter. I mean who can come in and save a concrete foundation and be a hero.

I kid, I love my other side of the family IE hose draggers. After spending 14 years and counting in LEO and I'm 35 we have a good respect for each other at least in this part of the country.

There will be plenty of B.S. in any career but if fire fighting sounds good to you there are plenty of opportunities and if you get full time status you can have a good schedule and opportunities to work other jobs in your time off. Also most full time agencies have a pretty decent retirement system. getting in before your 30 means most likely retire with full benefits by mid 50's or earlier, which leaves you time to find another passion say screw it and fish, golf, goof off or disappear around the globe.

Best of luck. I have had those internal conversations myself and they can be a downer or something to strive for. I'm fairly fortunate that the spouse has a good job and makes a lot more than I do, she loves me for the healthcare since the pay can be a joke at times.

[thepatriot2705]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. Since I was a child, I wanted to be a fighter pilot. I was well on the way in college, but lost motivation and tried to live other people’s lives instead of mine. Looking back, I regret that decision, but it’s not too late to try again. I’m going to follow my childhood dream and I’m going to try to be a USAF fighter pilot. Going to be talking to a recruiter this week hopefully.

Although I’m not happy with the direction of this country, good will prevail in the end and I feel a duty to this country and to give a chance for good to prevail. All it takes for evil to win is that good men do nothing.

[Honu]

when I was in the FD (life long ago)
my LEO friend would say I knock on the door returning something that was stolen and I get 'WHAT DO YOU WANT"

you chainsaw the side of their house out dump everything on their now muddy drive and flood their house etc.. and you get cookies brought to you at the station the next day and hugs and kisses and thanks

[Honu]

my dad was a fighter pilot in Korean war F86
he also did some test and teaching he got out later to go commercial
raced cars and other adrenaline junkie things when he was younger but like many pilots


I have had a insane life with no complaints ! its not where I want it to be today but also that is relative to what I was doing

I was making %1 kinda money and dumped it all to follow what I loved at 27 that made little but had again insane experiences around the world

you do get to the age at one point when you are so beat and battered and so many past things that have happened life slows down and for me that is the toughest thing I am facing but I have my family etc.. so more then makes up for it but its still tough for me at least and a few others I know feel the same

I say go for what you want in your heart that you love !!! because you might work your butt off to just do what you want to do a few weeks a year or live the life and I can say when you live the life of whatever you choose such as a pilot there is NOTHING you can pay or do to actually experience that ! sure you can be so wealthy to fly a fighter but you will have never been a fighter pilot and just like the brotherhood of those in various things that form viewing doing from the outside is never ever the same and IMHO that is part of the experience of life

interesting view cause sometimes it does take away the magic of what you thought it would be ! and keep your eyes open along the way