Posted on 09/27/2011 4:33:25 AM PDT by stevie_d_64
One of the country’s bravest hopes to become one of New York City’s bravest.
Sgt. Dakota Meyer, the Marine who received the Medal of Honor this month for personally rescuing 36 soldiers pinned down by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, told The New York Post that he aspires to become a New York City firefighter.
"It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a way I feel I can do my part in giving back to America,” Meyer said after he tossed out a ceremonial pitch at the Mets' Citi Field, the paper reported.
Meyer's grandfather was a firefighter, and Meyer also said he was inspired by the sacrifices made by New York firefighters on 9/11.
Meyer, 23, of Columbia, Ky., ran into a setback when he learned that the deadline to join the New York Fire Department had passed and he’d have to wait four years before he could apply again, the Post reported.
But after hearing about his aspirations, city officials asked a federal judge for permission to re-open its books for aspiring firefighters, the report said. The judge has indicated that he would not oppose the city’s efforts to do so.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Outstanding!!!
Surprising he’s leaving the military. Don’t you get a pretty good military career advantage being a Medal of Honor winner?
The involvement of a federal judge in "the city's efforts" to accept a job application ought to be a fluorescent red flag to anyone with any sense. If he doesn't want to spend the rest of his adult life struggling to do his job amidst idiotic government-union carpola, maybe he should reconsider his career choice.
Surprising he’s leaving the military. Don’t you get a pretty good military career advantage being a Medal of Honor winner?
Is he a minority, jihadist, woman or a flaming Sodomite? Those traits are the only thing that matters in today's Military. Proven success and bravery only is a benefit if you allow the Left to exploit it for their own ends. Otherwise, plan on a career of scrubbing commodes.
Things I do not understand about this article
1. How can FDNY go four years without taking applications?
2. What a federal judge has to do with anything?
Also, it would be interesting to hear an interview with Dakota Meyer about how he came to this decision. He is one of the few people in america at a point in his career where he can probably do anything he wants job-wise.
Most urban fire departments have been the targets of Fed civil rights lawsuits, so I guess their hiring practices are overseen by the Feds.
He had already left the Marines while his commendation was still under consideration/review. There have been interviews showing him back on the farm in KY.
I can’t imagine a Kentucky country boy being happy in NYC and the FDNY — too white bread. I certainly hope he finds success where ever he goes.
However, if he stayed in the military, he could write his own ticket. No one would mess with him. He'd be treated like an CW5 in the Army. I wish him luck in any of his endeavors. A true hero he is....and there are many more patriots like him. God Bless America, him, the Marines, FDNY, and all serving our country!
Suppose an MOH winner remained in the service and during his final enlistment period, wore the MOH all day, every day? Would his superiors have to salute him each and every time they met with or passed him?
They’d have to salute him first. I wish this young man every success.
The Medal of Honor is a most humbling of awards ever...I’ve only met a couple of these folks, and they are as down to earth, humble, very reserved people I have ever met...
I imagine that this Marine is a little overwhelmed by the attention, the high ranking brass he is probably unaccustomed to even being around, much less addressed...
The attention by those officers and the politicos I believe is genuine, honestly intrigued and they are honored to even be around this man...
Some people like this may develop a need to just get away for a while, let the tempo slow down a bit, grow yer hair out, and take an objective look at their situation...I’m sure he has done this and the decision to continue to serve your community and nieghbors is an undeniably strong pull...
I know, I’ve been there after I served...I didn’t win any special awards or decorations, and never expected to, but this guy was in the right place at the right time, and he made a decision...And it saved lives...
I say give this guy the appreciation of this nation, let him decide what he wants to do, and let him go on his way...
History will always be kind and appreciative of him, and the families and brother Marines he served with and saved that day will always be something he’ll remember well, and they, him...
Personally, I thought the whole informal photo op the President did with this Marine was a bit too loose, and just because you are the President of the United States, you should not be above showing the due respect earned by this servicemember...Or try to draw some sort of inside knowledge into how a person like that thinks...Obama wouldn’t understand such thinking in the first place...So I believe the whole interaction was nothing more than another political election year spotlight on Obama, and not on the fact that he was in the presense of a true hero of this country...
Just my opinion...
Yes, you are right. I never ran into a MOH hero when I was on active duty and never bothered to look up the rules but I think I saw it happen in a movie and it stuck.
Good luck to him. I would like to tell him that getting hired on a fire department (especially in a big city like New York where they test in the thousands) is a lot harder than getting into the military.
From the Army study guide...
10. Is the recipient of the Medal of Honor (Enlisted or Commissioned) entitled to a salute?
Yes
I’d say combat operations were over for this Marine after he received that award...I bet it is a hard reality, but then again, maybe not...
A Medal of Honor recipient is afforded (regardless of rank) certain honors and is rendered a salute from anyone, regardless of rank, when recognized...
But something tells me it is not an abused issue...By anyone from what I know...
It would be a situation that would not be abused...
He would be advised to not stay in a combat unit...
He would be advised to work in the recruiting effort, some public speaking, maybe a lot of public speaking if he had a knack for it...
He might not be officially attached to any specific command...
If he stayed in, but that appears to be a moot point...
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