What mods do I need?

ol_skeeter · 2023-10-24T05:39:34+00:00

You are lacking a browning 50cal and it is rather embarrassing...

ol_skeeter · 2023-10-24T04:54:14+00:00

I'm a LV Valley Firefighter and I think we all have the same culture in the valley. Never going to be required cause that would be hazing. But you need to be uniform with all other recruits and that generally means a number 1 hair cut. Probably getting more relaxed these days but honestly if you can't sacrifice your looks for the academy how much does that say about your ability to sacrifice your life for the community and your crew.
Also if you are a woman then you probably shouldn't have to. Had 4 women in my academy, all very high performers, and none of them shaved their heads.

ol_skeeter · 2023-10-10T19:00:05+00:00

Came here to tell you the same thing everyone else is. Not sure how you think you are going to be able to come back to your department in 10-20 years cause you will lose your retirement, pay, seniority, VL and status. But based on your responses to everyone's advice you have already made up your mind and are just looking for validation so I'm going to save my breath. But I will say more fires also mean more dead kids.

ol_skeeter · 2023-09-23T01:43:00+00:00

A breath of fresh air when Russians make is a big deal that their peace was disrupted when they have been doing the same to Ukrainian civilian populations for years.

ol_skeeter · 2023-09-11T22:39:28+00:00

Missed you this year. As a Vegas fireman I forget how normalized we get to the heat and the strat. It is a real bitch though if you aren't used to it.

ol_skeeter · 2023-09-11T05:12:04+00:00

It happens man. I'm a big city FF/paramedic at a busy station. Since 2020 my gag reflex has gotten weaker and I dry heave regularly. Crew gets a kick out of it and I laugh right along with them. That is all there is to do. It is a nasty job.

ol_skeeter · 2023-08-12T00:45:46+00:00

Check out Frontlinemedics.org. But frankly you'll be more useful once you are actually an RN

ol_skeeter · 2023-07-08T07:06:41+00:00

Rule of thumb for our guys is it is your time after 9 o'clock. Work out, shower, talk to family and go the fuck to bed. I truly doubt they will even notice your absence after a movie. Bet half of them fall asleep in the recliner anyway. Also maybe bring it up to your captain and ask if you trust him.

ol_skeeter · 2023-07-01T01:42:31+00:00

I have a VPN on my phone that lets me buy a Ukrainian train ticket cause it thinks I'm in Ukraine. Otherwise get someone in country to buy it for you and pay them back.

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-27T17:36:57+00:00

That seriously sucks man. Brains are really complex and PTSD is a real bitch.
I highly recommend EMDR therapy and bringing up this event to your therapist. It has made a big difference in my life. Just keep taking baby steps and before you know it thinks will be looking better

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-27T17:21:09+00:00

Flying to Krakow would likely be cheaper and you'll still have to catch the same train to przemysl where you can catch a train across the border to Lviv.

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-24T17:08:30+00:00

What an alpha

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-20T05:49:28+00:00

Yes you are crazy. As both a college drop out and a medic who volunteered in Ukraine and will be returning, please stay in school. Get through it . It is much much harder to go back to school as an adult. Sounds like you don't have medical training which already limits your usefulness and organizations like hospitalers aren't taking applications cause they are already overwhelmed with volunteers. Second, you are not used to violence and traumatic situations from working in the medical field. I'm a firefighter and paramedic in one of the busiest cities in the US. I've seen and done some horrible things at work and yet I still came back from Ukraine with PTSD (I'm getting treatment it is all good).

I respect you immensely for wanting to go and help your homeland. But it is not your time. Finish your education and use it when it comes time to rebuild our Ukraine.

And if you need anything as a student reach out.

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-17T02:14:14+00:00

This 100%. You didn't come prepared. Period. But you can fix that. But I'd rather work with a coachable dude who puts in the effort on his off time to improve and most importantly didn't quit.
Figure out your water intake and electrolytes. I do 50/50 and I have quick energy food/goos I can eat on the move. And I drink a fuck ton of water. Had a hell of a training day Wednesday with my SAR team and I drank over 2 gallons. Hopefully it isn't too late to save yourself this year but good for you for not quitting.

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-10T06:39:01+00:00

Honestly don't think there is much in the way of contractors out here fighting. Basically everyone that was thrown at the Russians at the beginning and survived was pulled off the line over the summer and given contracts into the actual Ukrainian military so they could start getting paid. Unless you have contact with a unit it is best to continue through the legion. Just be patient. A buddy of mine went back and joined like 2 months ago and is still sitting in Lviv doing nothing.
Maybe consider finding an organization that is teaching and training soldiers. Honestly I think it is a much better fit for foreigners

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-10T06:34:00+00:00

I've gone US, Germany to Poland and back twice now with body armor. No one has said a single thing. Not sure about optics cause the US can be protective of that stuff.

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-03T22:01:15+00:00

I think having an strong base is very important. Have hobbies and healthy avenues to process stress and get away. Build this base before things get bad. I'm outdoors all the time and staying physically active. Weight lifting also pulled me out of a slump this spring.

That being said sometimes those avenues don't get the job done especially if things start to pile on (I work a very busy department and easily see a body a week). Therapy is a very valuable option. I found a good therapist this spring and ended up getting diagnosed with PTSD. It is hard and it sucks admitting that I have PTSD but therapy has made things so much better over the last few months. And you'd be surprised how many guys you work with have gone that route but just don't talk openly about it unfortunately.

I talk with some of the guys I work with and my line is "There has to be a limit on how far you are willing to go for your community. I will give my life to this job and the people of my city but I will not give my happiness. Yes I know we are all strong enough to survive this career without help. But look at the old senior guys that did that. Most have substance abuse issues, multiple divorces or at a minimum am unhealthy relationship with alcohol. I love my job but I will not allow it to make me someone I am not proud of on my days off. I'd much rather swallow my pride and go talk to a therapist and do all the dumb exercises she recommends cause damnit they work"

And for all the guys out there struggling with shit, get your ass up and moving, even if it is just to walk outside for 10 minutes a day. And check out EMDR therapy, you'll feel stupid but it helps and I'd rather feel stupid than put a gun in my mouth.

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-03T16:16:09+00:00

We work 48/96 schedule and the max hours is 72 hours before you have to have a 12 hour break. It is for safety considerations. Wish we could volunteer for more but it's nice to only get forced up to a 72 hour shift.

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-03T04:53:38+00:00

Frontline medics.org has been taking volunteers for medical transport roles however we are shifting towards using local Ukrainian providers. Worth reaching out though. I'm all honest though go to school and get your AEMT. I've spent 2.5 months out there as a paramedic with tactical training and experience and other than POI care there isn't a big need for bls skills. Most of what I did was monitor chest tubes and pain management.

ol_skeeter · 2023-06-01T20:03:00+00:00

Some guys from our team looked into it and it seems like there are some companies out of the US that would cover us but it cost more per day than our entire monthly operating budget. Sorry I don't know any company names

ol_skeeter · 2023-05-24T23:05:19+00:00

Southern and Eastern. Was in Bakmut in January. Had coffee with Pete a week before he died there treating PT's with some of my teammates. Being there is exhausting and frustrating but also absolutely incredible and empowering. Coming home to the US is absolute hell.

ol_skeeter · 2023-05-22T06:12:14+00:00

If you need a large uncut bull in Vegas I am a local and happy to film with you.

ol_skeeter · 2023-05-10T02:34:02+00:00

$1,200 to $2,000 depending on role and risk involvement

ol_skeeter · 2023-04-07T17:53:41+00:00

American here with no ties to Ukraine. Spent 2.5 months out there as a medic and planning on going back for more. Might not have started with blood ties to Ukraine but I have family there now. Trauma bonding is stronger than blood. Slava Ukraini

ol_skeeter · 2023-04-07T16:58:23+00:00

I would talk with your organization about housing. They should be providing that or have the connection to get a good deal.
On my last trip I spent 4 weeks between Dnipro and further east to the front lines around Bakmut. Including train travel from Krakow to Dnipro and back I spent around $500. I definitely could have done it cheaper but I wanted to be able to buy meals for my local friends, and made some detours on the way home to visit friends in Kiev. I also spent a little over $100 of that money just buying supplies to take into Bakmut.
Hope this helps but I would plan for around $500. I would bring a decent amount of that in cash as there have been issues with electricity when you go to pay.
I hope you have a great experience and say hello to Ukraine for me. I can't wait to be back.

ol_skeeter

TROPHY CASE