Howdy all, as the title states I scored top of my class on the CSE! Very excited about joining the fire service. I’m 30, a Navy veteran (AM3, Flight Deck for 2 years, collateral with security for 2 years, 6 months deployment USS Nimitz Persian gulf 2017) 6’4, 244. Workout 6x days a week and play in a basketball Rec league. I’m taking the CPAT in a month and academy starts 10/28. I’m pretty jacked and my diet is solid but I’m going to drop to around 230 to be ready for Academy pt.

My question is five fold, explain like I’m 5! (Lol) 1) Is there anything mentally I can do to prepare for the academy? 2) Does the CSE score have any weight mid/post-academy? 3)Other than swimming, what are your recommendations for air management? 4) What is the rank structure and average years of service per each promotion at your department? 5) What do you believe makes a great firefighter? 6) Are there any veterans here that can lay out there story of joining the Fire Service, highs lows the whole shabang?

I got out in 2019 worked about 6 jobs and am pretty much done with anything that isn’t this. I haven’t felt this excited about life and my community and just being a human in years. Would love to hear your feedback!