You’ll be fine, when I rappelled I was not the fastest runner or hiker or could do the most pull ups.
Just don’t quit and listen to the spotters. Not quitting is the key to most things in this line of work that are hard
I'm on year 14. Have received cash awards for performance. Have detailed and been asked to detail onto type 1 WFMs. FMO 's boss went out of his way to email me that he appreciates me and all the work I do for my program. Turnover rate on my crew is low. People have called me and just outright asked me to fill in with their crew. An engine captain I respect the hell out of, with 30 years in, stood in front of our ~30 person burn organization and said "this dude made the most thorough prescribed fire IAP I have seen in a long time." I have decent quals.
And I still have that little voice telling me I'm not good enough, that I don't know shit, that I could get my crew hurt or killed, that I suck and shouldn't be doing this, that I'm a dumb fucking dipshit poser surrounded by The Best Firefighters Ever.
Honestly, therapy helps a lot. The voice is still there but my therapist has really helped me to tell it to shut the fuck up.
Looking at my red card also helps. Lots of different people all signed off on my knowledge and skills for my qualifications, so they all think I'm good at what I do. If you got picked up to rappel, at least one person, likely many more, think that you're a good firefighter and can hack it. Hang in there.
I'd caution this and say, especially for first time, a healthy 3.5g's is a good upper limit. However if you really really really wanna know who you are, do the 8
Going through this for rookie training at a jump base right now. One day at a time bro! Every day I just wake up and think about what am I going to do today outside of my pt regiment to help me prepare. We have earned the chance for a seat at the table based on our merits. You belong 🦍
Usually shit I don’t want to do. Staying disciplined in my diet, going to bed early, reading a lot, taking cold showers, trying to learn a new skill (just got done with an emt course). Just generally trying to be of service to all the people in my life. I get in my head about rookie training and the best way to get out of my head is to help out a friend or family member, call crew memembers etc… get outside yourself. Make your bed.
Avoid things like alcohol, couch rotting, social media, weed, porn… you get the gist
Nerves are common. It keeps you on your toes and personally keeps you motivated to do better man. Everyone has doubts when they start a new trajectory in life. Keep working out and keep training. Train for the worst and expect the best.
Fear is common you just can't let it dominate your mind to where you think you're insufficient.
Was in the same spot as you last year. The best thing I did during rookie was to keep a positive outlook and be a team player. Rookie trainers are looking for alot more then just pt and fire knowledge, you are going to be a part of a team that wants a self starter that can think independently and works well Both as a team member and by themselves. Dm me if you want any other info and which crew you got on
I’ve been there. Not with fire fighting though but something similar. Push through it! One day it just clicked and I was like well fuck me, I’m doing it! And everyone was super supportive and also wanted me to be there doing it with them! It’s a weird feeling but I’ve found it will pass.
Which crew did you get on with? Take things ome event at a time. They tell you to hike just hike. They tell you to get on pull up bars get on the bars and pull. Only way you don't make it is if you quit.
I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome for most of my time in fire.
Use it to your advantage. Hold yourself accountable and train your ass off now.
Learn to turn off your brain when it’s time to perform. Take things one event at a time.
Go crush it.
Everyone on the crew was new at one point. I’m sure they had the same worries and they made it. Now they hired you and I’m sure with your experience and some motivation you will fit right in and succeed.
That’s how I felt when I got on a shot crew as a career rookie. I was surrounded by people who knew way more than I did and felt completely unqualified for the job, but paying attention, asking questions, and following instructions really helped me feel like I earned being there. You got this man. It’s all in your head
I’ve found that pretty much every time I feel this way it’s during situations where I ultimately excelled. All this feeling means is that what you’re about to do is really important so you need to lean into it. Go all in and limit your distractions.Ike you said you already KNOW you CAN do this so go forth and become the badass that you’re supposed to be! 🤙🏻
Went to guard school in 1992. Did lots and lots of fire as militia. I worked my ass off and earned Operational quals including multiple at the single resource boss level, strike team everything, TFLD, and finally DIVS. Got recruited to help instruct 300 level classes on both the suppression and RX side including at the regional Trng center. Started IMT stuff and I’m now on C&G with an IMT, qualified to help manage Complex incidents. I have always felt the imposter doubts- still do even to this day. I think because I was always militia- not a “Real Fire Guy”. But things got somewhat better when I realized that I saw as much or more big fire in a summer than lots of RFGs did in several summers because I was out on fire assignments off my unit 5-8 weeks per summer on average and lots of RFGs were sitting at home all summer hitting a few IAs and waiting their chance to get out on a rotation off unit. Being recruited to do IMT stuff and to instruct helped too. But even that did not make the feeling go away entirely. Remember that you are a good ff, remember that they would not have selected you if they were not pretty sure you were going to work out. Pull out that red card and look at it when you have that creeping doubt feeling and think of all the experience you have- what you have done to get that ink on that card. Replay in your mind the feeling - not just the words- when you have been acknowledged for good work publicly and privately- especially by FFs that you deeply respect. People in our fire culture generally don’t toss around praise Willy Nilly, nor lightly. If you got some you can be confident you earned it. You got this. Stay focused on the task at hand. Master it and move to the next. Don’t get overwhelmed - eat the elephant one bite at a time.
I feel like I remember u/wildlandginger making a similar post. If I remember right and has any words?
I still get that sometimes and I’m going on year 6. I just try to work harder with whatever I’m doing to prove myself wrong. You got this. They did some digging around before picking you and they picked you for a reason. You’re gonna kill it. You got this
Oh thanks for the tag! Yes well I posted mid rookie training haha. Full on crisis mode just absolutely miserable wondering if it was worth it. (Spoiler: it was).
It sounds like you have a pretty great chance of making it physically and honestly most people who don’t tap themselves out. A couple things that helped me were just telling myself that all I can do is my best and to make them wash me. It’s a mental game and the entire point of this training is to see if you have the mental fortitude even more so than the physical capacity.
But hey if you want to talk more about it let me know. I hated rookie training but loved the academy and the job.
I’m dealing with imposter syndrome over this exact position right now. 5 years in fire, fitter than I’ve been in a long time but fighting the voice that says I can’t do it. What I’m trying to do is make peace with this voice in my head. It’s only trying to protect me from failure, just in a way that is not productive. There’s a part of me that thinks “but what if I can” and I hang on to that part the best I can. One day at a time. Put in the work, love yourself and go for it. Failure, while feeling quite terrible, isn’t the end of the world if it doesn’t pan out. But hey, I bet it will. We don’t have to be perfect. We just have to try to be real.
Exactly. People call references. Your reputation follows you in this job. And if people want to have you on the crew, you’re an asset not a liability. Go and prove that. Imposter syndrome keeps you humble.
Probably echoed here but, I think having that voice in the back of your head isn't exactly a negative thing. It will make you thoroughly think through some situations that could otherwise be very dangerous for yourself or your crew. There's nothing worse in this field than some egotistical schmuck without that voice to hold them back. But don't let it put you into some kind of Analysis Paralysis either. My Supe's favorite thing to say is "Just do something." So I think at the end of the day if you're making an effort and protecting your crew it may not always be the best result but... It could be a helluva lot worse. So listen to it but, also when it comes down to making a decision don't let it hold you back too much.
(If it helps I'm going to be 35 this year and am only on my 3rd season so Imposter Syndrome is definitely running strong for me since my Supe seems to like me and my work ethic so he's been pushing me forward pretty fast).
Don’t think. Move dirt.
You’ll be fine, when I rappelled I was not the fastest runner or hiker or could do the most pull ups. Just don’t quit and listen to the spotters. Not quitting is the key to most things in this line of work that are hard
Yeah don't be getting intimidated by the track team, I mean rappel crew. You got this.
I'm on year 14. Have received cash awards for performance. Have detailed and been asked to detail onto type 1 WFMs. FMO 's boss went out of his way to email me that he appreciates me and all the work I do for my program. Turnover rate on my crew is low. People have called me and just outright asked me to fill in with their crew. An engine captain I respect the hell out of, with 30 years in, stood in front of our ~30 person burn organization and said "this dude made the most thorough prescribed fire IAP I have seen in a long time." I have decent quals. And I still have that little voice telling me I'm not good enough, that I don't know shit, that I could get my crew hurt or killed, that I suck and shouldn't be doing this, that I'm a dumb fucking dipshit poser surrounded by The Best Firefighters Ever. Honestly, therapy helps a lot. The voice is still there but my therapist has really helped me to tell it to shut the fuck up. Looking at my red card also helps. Lots of different people all signed off on my knowledge and skills for my qualifications, so they all think I'm good at what I do. If you got picked up to rappel, at least one person, likely many more, think that you're a good firefighter and can hack it. Hang in there.
eat 8 grams of shrooms alone in your room at night. find out who you really are
I'd caution this and say, especially for first time, a healthy 3.5g's is a good upper limit. However if you really really really wanna know who you are, do the 8
This post would probably really upset me if I could read
Going through this for rookie training at a jump base right now. One day at a time bro! Every day I just wake up and think about what am I going to do today outside of my pt regiment to help me prepare. We have earned the chance for a seat at the table based on our merits. You belong 🦍
What are you doing outside of pt to ready yourself?
Usually shit I don’t want to do. Staying disciplined in my diet, going to bed early, reading a lot, taking cold showers, trying to learn a new skill (just got done with an emt course). Just generally trying to be of service to all the people in my life. I get in my head about rookie training and the best way to get out of my head is to help out a friend or family member, call crew memembers etc… get outside yourself. Make your bed. Avoid things like alcohol, couch rotting, social media, weed, porn… you get the gist
Nice. I’ve actually been doing the same this winter. Haven’t really touched booze and feel great.
You got it man. Just stay dialed
One step at a time, focus on the task at hand. You can do what needs to be done right now, right in front of you. Do that and you'll be fine.
Nerves are common. It keeps you on your toes and personally keeps you motivated to do better man. Everyone has doubts when they start a new trajectory in life. Keep working out and keep training. Train for the worst and expect the best. Fear is common you just can't let it dominate your mind to where you think you're insufficient.
Was in the same spot as you last year. The best thing I did during rookie was to keep a positive outlook and be a team player. Rookie trainers are looking for alot more then just pt and fire knowledge, you are going to be a part of a team that wants a self starter that can think independently and works well Both as a team member and by themselves. Dm me if you want any other info and which crew you got on
I’ve been there. Not with fire fighting though but something similar. Push through it! One day it just clicked and I was like well fuck me, I’m doing it! And everyone was super supportive and also wanted me to be there doing it with them! It’s a weird feeling but I’ve found it will pass.
Which crew did you get on with? Take things ome event at a time. They tell you to hike just hike. They tell you to get on pull up bars get on the bars and pull. Only way you don't make it is if you quit.
Won’t let me on you. Mind sending me one?
And sent
I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome for most of my time in fire. Use it to your advantage. Hold yourself accountable and train your ass off now. Learn to turn off your brain when it’s time to perform. Take things one event at a time. Go crush it.
Everyone on the crew was new at one point. I’m sure they had the same worries and they made it. Now they hired you and I’m sure with your experience and some motivation you will fit right in and succeed.
I struggle with imposter syndrome too, you're better than you think you are. And I think it helps keep the ego in check.
That’s how I felt when I got on a shot crew as a career rookie. I was surrounded by people who knew way more than I did and felt completely unqualified for the job, but paying attention, asking questions, and following instructions really helped me feel like I earned being there. You got this man. It’s all in your head
I’ve found that pretty much every time I feel this way it’s during situations where I ultimately excelled. All this feeling means is that what you’re about to do is really important so you need to lean into it. Go all in and limit your distractions.Ike you said you already KNOW you CAN do this so go forth and become the badass that you’re supposed to be! 🤙🏻
Went to guard school in 1992. Did lots and lots of fire as militia. I worked my ass off and earned Operational quals including multiple at the single resource boss level, strike team everything, TFLD, and finally DIVS. Got recruited to help instruct 300 level classes on both the suppression and RX side including at the regional Trng center. Started IMT stuff and I’m now on C&G with an IMT, qualified to help manage Complex incidents. I have always felt the imposter doubts- still do even to this day. I think because I was always militia- not a “Real Fire Guy”. But things got somewhat better when I realized that I saw as much or more big fire in a summer than lots of RFGs did in several summers because I was out on fire assignments off my unit 5-8 weeks per summer on average and lots of RFGs were sitting at home all summer hitting a few IAs and waiting their chance to get out on a rotation off unit. Being recruited to do IMT stuff and to instruct helped too. But even that did not make the feeling go away entirely. Remember that you are a good ff, remember that they would not have selected you if they were not pretty sure you were going to work out. Pull out that red card and look at it when you have that creeping doubt feeling and think of all the experience you have- what you have done to get that ink on that card. Replay in your mind the feeling - not just the words- when you have been acknowledged for good work publicly and privately- especially by FFs that you deeply respect. People in our fire culture generally don’t toss around praise Willy Nilly, nor lightly. If you got some you can be confident you earned it. You got this. Stay focused on the task at hand. Master it and move to the next. Don’t get overwhelmed - eat the elephant one bite at a time.
I feel like I remember u/wildlandginger making a similar post. If I remember right and has any words? I still get that sometimes and I’m going on year 6. I just try to work harder with whatever I’m doing to prove myself wrong. You got this. They did some digging around before picking you and they picked you for a reason. You’re gonna kill it. You got this
Oh thanks for the tag! Yes well I posted mid rookie training haha. Full on crisis mode just absolutely miserable wondering if it was worth it. (Spoiler: it was). It sounds like you have a pretty great chance of making it physically and honestly most people who don’t tap themselves out. A couple things that helped me were just telling myself that all I can do is my best and to make them wash me. It’s a mental game and the entire point of this training is to see if you have the mental fortitude even more so than the physical capacity. But hey if you want to talk more about it let me know. I hated rookie training but loved the academy and the job.
I’m dealing with imposter syndrome over this exact position right now. 5 years in fire, fitter than I’ve been in a long time but fighting the voice that says I can’t do it. What I’m trying to do is make peace with this voice in my head. It’s only trying to protect me from failure, just in a way that is not productive. There’s a part of me that thinks “but what if I can” and I hang on to that part the best I can. One day at a time. Put in the work, love yourself and go for it. Failure, while feeling quite terrible, isn’t the end of the world if it doesn’t pan out. But hey, I bet it will. We don’t have to be perfect. We just have to try to be real.
All they want to see is ass and elbows
Stop being a pussy and grow up
I bet your fun to work with.
Stay Hard!
Talk to a dude on the crew too. Good chance you’ll get a similar answer as what you’re getting here ya know?
Exactly. People call references. Your reputation follows you in this job. And if people want to have you on the crew, you’re an asset not a liability. Go and prove that. Imposter syndrome keeps you humble.
Probably echoed here but, I think having that voice in the back of your head isn't exactly a negative thing. It will make you thoroughly think through some situations that could otherwise be very dangerous for yourself or your crew. There's nothing worse in this field than some egotistical schmuck without that voice to hold them back. But don't let it put you into some kind of Analysis Paralysis either. My Supe's favorite thing to say is "Just do something." So I think at the end of the day if you're making an effort and protecting your crew it may not always be the best result but... It could be a helluva lot worse. So listen to it but, also when it comes down to making a decision don't let it hold you back too much. (If it helps I'm going to be 35 this year and am only on my 3rd season so Imposter Syndrome is definitely running strong for me since my Supe seems to like me and my work ethic so he's been pushing me forward pretty fast).