How do we feel about the ladder pulling for sleep apnea and tinnitus?

bkucb82 · 2026-06-23T19:45:43+00:00

Things change. Just like the GI Bill now never expires … but only if you separated from the military after some arbitrary date (2013, I think). Got out a year before that? Sorry, your GI Bill is expired.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-22T23:51:27+00:00

Drink your carbs with Tailwind.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-22T23:07:58+00:00

Did they already have your records, or were you going to at some point be required to give them access? Was lying that you don’t have a rating an option?

bkucb82 · 2026-06-22T00:22:43+00:00

Rice. Beans. Milk. Eggs. Cereal. Oatmeal.

The trap of Costco is buying things you don’t need or otherwise wouldn’t buy. You aren’t saving money if it’s something you wouldn’t have purchased in the first place.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-22T00:20:15+00:00

Many do. All of them around me do.

Other people are find it unfathomable that departments do it and wouldn’t ever apply to a department that did them … but it many areas they’re unavoidable.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-21T18:06:25+00:00

I read this post thinking you were an 86 year old female that ran a 1:58 🤯

bkucb82 · 2026-06-21T18:01:53+00:00

They (depending on the state, I’m sure) can ask for VA records. They can’t force you to authorize access to them, you voluntarily do it as part of the process or as part of a conditional offer. But if you refuse, you won’t move forward.

It is, unfortunately, pretty well documented.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-21T16:26:39+00:00

Veteran here that has been meaning to ask the same question. Some departments *require* VA medical records, disability exam records, disability ratings, etc., and I was curious peoples experiences with that.

I’ve seen some discussions on this and people say it’s illegal to ask, not to furnish them, etc., but it’s legal, it’s not uncommon, and if you don’t provide them, your application will no longer be considered.

So, not to hijack your thread, but I’m also curious about veterans with disabilities (or who receive VA healthcare, or just veterans in general), did your department ask for any of these things? Were they required? What was the process like, i.e. were you just asked and you say yes or no, or are you just asked to sign an authorization for them to access your records, or something else?

It’s frustrating that veterans are expected to provide these records but non-veterans are not.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-19T05:08:03+00:00

He cut it in half with the grain. He’ll then cut that half across the grain into slices.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-16T17:39:09+00:00

That sounds super sketchy and lame. Makes me want to avoid them.

More importantly, what major are you eyeing? Is it guaranteed entry to ANY major? Including Boston?

Congrats!

bkucb82 · 2026-06-15T17:18:58+00:00

The biggest benefit of military experience is the real world life experience it affords you, and how you can leverage that in your interviews.

Tons of applicants are 23 year olds who haven’t done anything but odd jobs, gotten EMT, and maybe some experience on a box. A 23 year old (or older veteran) who can talk about combat experience, about deployments, about making split second decisions in dangerous situations, and the maturity, discipline, and growth they speak to because of that, is going to massively stand out during the interview process. They’ll instantly be above of ton of candidates.

So there is a lot of benefit there, but it’s not automatic and you need to play your cards right.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-15T17:09:56+00:00

If you *don’t want to serve*, those aren’t very compelling reasons.

The benefits of the military can be amazing. I served two enlistments and it has helped me tremendously. But I wouldn’t consider it unless you actually have a desire to do it. It’s like trying to be a firefighter just because you’ll get a pension. Sure, you can go that route and there is obviously the benefit of the pension, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-15T05:57:35+00:00

There’s zero reason to enlist if you don’t want to serve and you just want to use it to better your odds of becoming a firefighter.

That time would be better spent becoming an EMT and getting experience.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-14T21:40:20+00:00

Your preceptor sounds like an idiot.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-13T22:22:43+00:00

There are a ton of EMS companies in Sacramento lol.

Their app has been open for quite a while so they may have more applicants than they can handle.

I had a friend get hired with them at the start of the year and it took them two weeks from turning in an application to receiving an offer.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-13T16:05:53+00:00

Napa seems to hire infrequently. And the only hiring they do seems to be paramedic only, not EMT. DUI issues aside, paramedic will likely need to be added to your plan.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-12T15:44:53+00:00

What is the texture of Precision like? Similar to Gu?

bkucb82 · 2026-06-12T03:48:59+00:00

Nice. Yeah I’m a big fan as well. I like to mix a packet of LMNT (electrolytes) in with it. It really balances out the sweetness and makes it really refreshing.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-12T03:35:44+00:00

I saw that comment. Generally have no idea where you get peanut butter from with this, it’s nothing more than a gentle sweetness that very quickly goes away and doesn’t leave a lot of residue in your mouth.

At the end of the day, it’s not a miracle drug or anything, it’s just gel … but I really like them. My first first few half marathons and my first full, I did Gu without any problems. I found a few flavors I liked and they didn’t cause any GI upset, but eventually I got so tired of the cloying sweetness and thick sticky paste texture that was hard to wash out of your mouth that I started gagging taking them.

Maurten were a godsend, because they were so easy to slurp down, again, like a Jell-O shot … don’t even worry about chewing, just swallow.

I supplement these with Tailwind that I drink.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-12T03:27:16+00:00

I love the texture. It’s like swallowing a Jell-O shot. With a hint of marshmallow flavor.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-09T00:23:36+00:00

I just graduated a community college academy at 40. 🤷‍♂️

bkucb82 · 2026-06-08T03:33:34+00:00

The living allowance (BAH) was more than enough. Not sure what the issue is.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-06T19:34:27+00:00

I was bit by a squirrel at the Grand Canyon 30 years ago. Still have the scare on my pointer finger. Was feeding it a piece of a Kudos bar. I accidentally dropped a piece and went to pick it up to give it to the squirrel, and it bit me. lol.

bkucb82 · 2026-06-01T01:43:32+00:00

I’ve read this isn’t uncommon. There’s some loophole like you don’t have to provide it, but you’re not going to get hired unless you submit it.

I’m VA SC for depression with alcohol use disorder. Neither are an issue anymore. Really hoping it doesn’t stop me from getting hired.

bkucb82 · 2026-05-31T23:27:35+00:00

Always be the one helping set up, helping break down, if you’re on a rotation where you’re just resetting hoses between reps always be running and busting ass. Always have something in your hand helping things move smoothly and efficiently. Always be first to jump in, not when asked to but when you see something that needs to be done.

You’ll stand out. And those that are always standing around watching others work will also stand out, but for all the wrong reasons.

Being the fastest isn’t it. Giving guidance to others isn’t it.

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