How it all Started

I am a fireman (firefighter for you politically correct types) and have been one for a while. While I am self-employed, I have been looking for work as a fireman--I love being a fireman. There is just something really rewarding about it--it's challenging, difficult, sometimes tedious work but not since I was in the military have I felt such reward. When the opportunity arose to work, as a firefighter for the US Military in Iraq, I jumped at the opportunity. Not that I really expected to be offered a position.

Much to the chagrin of my wife and family, I was offered the job and after careful consideration I accepted.

My interview was over the phone and a little strange. They were more concerned that I understood that I was going into a combat zone. The interview went very well and I was told that I would be informed of an offer within 3 days. The next morning I recieved the offer via Fedex(?!).

My wife and I began discussion about it--that was the toughest part. I would be away for a year. It was worth discussing. the money was pretty good, benefits were excellent, and I would get to come home every 4 months for 10 days on the company. In return I was to be in Iraq, helping the military guys by doing facility fire protection. The challenges included the heat, constant threat of violence, kidnapping and shootings (sounds like Brooklyn in the summer). I'm not too worried about that-this was Green Zone work--the hardest challenge would be being away from my family.

Of course the really important part of the job would be that I can support the effort there to rebuild the country. My own way of contributing to this war.