HEARTS OF FIRE

According to a recent article in the Washington Post, many processing out of the military face a major dilemma: What to do now that they're hanging up the uniform for the last time? The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) helps steer soldiers, sailors, and marines to new careers where they can be happy and productive, but there are still many bumps along the way when transitioning from being a specialist in the arcane arts of war back into civilian life.

One civilian group, however, prizes these warriors very highly - emergency services. "I was originally looking at law enforcement, especially the LAPD and Sheriff's SWAT Teams", said Battalion Chief Bob Doyle of Glendale Fire Department. "I saw a fire on TV where firefighters were going into a building window while thick black smoke poured out and thought 'that looks like fun'". Chief Doyle, a Marine Recon veteran, was enamored of the teamwork and physical skills it took to do the job. "I like the job of leading these brave men and women in executing the mission".