National Guard: Firefighter
National Guard
Firefighter: Kyle Miyahana
By Mike Yoshiura
Kyle Miyahana had no money saved for college, nor did he have financial support from his parents. But, he did have a burning desire to go to college. He researched financial aid, weighed all his options and crunched the numbers. Even with the scholarship money from Kamehameha Schools, the numbers just didn't add up.
Soon after, Kyle received a phone call from an Army National Guard recruiter. Kyle saw enlisting as a stepping-stone to higher education. The decision was an easy one. "It was meant to be. College was a dream for me, and I wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers. I just told myself, If there's a will, there's a way."
About four months after he graduated high school, the Ka-ne'ohe native reported to basic training in Missouri. He received Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training, where he was schooled in firefighting. "It was a confidence builder for me," he says. "It was the first time I was on my own, and it taught me to trust myself and in my abilities."
About seven months later, Kyle returned to Hawai'i and registered for classes at Windward Community College. After one semester, Kyle transferred to the University of Hawai'i (UH) to pursue a degree in sociology, with an emphasis in criminology. Although he intends to become a firefighter, Kyle says having a degree gives him something to fall back on, in case things don't go as planned.
In 2006, Kyle transferred from the National Guard to the Army ROTC program at UH. As a recent graduate, he is now a commissioned officer. With this status he can potentially earn a higher pay than regular officers. When he becomes a City & County firefighter, Kyle will be paid an annual salary, plus his officer's pay from the Army.
If you have a specific career goal in mind, the chances are high that the military offers a corresponding career path and training. For instance, the MOS certification Kyle received in the Army National Guard allowed him to bypass the city's firefighter training academy. Last year, he applied for the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD), and all he has to do now is to pass the physical stamina and agility tests. "Nothing is a guarantee, but you can say that I've got a head start," the 23-year-old says.
For a well-conditioned mixed martial arts fighter such as Kyle, passing the HFD's physical tests shouldn't be a problem. Kyle was introduced to the sport in his junior year of high school as a way of staying in shape for football. He made his official Icon Sport debut in 2004, and in a four-year span, he accumulated a 5-1 record in the ring.
"From the very first day it kicked my butt, and I liked it," Kyle says. "The sport pushes me to the limit and it keeps me on my toes. Like the Army, mixed martial arts strengthens my mind. There are times when I'm telling myself, If I can just get through this, I can get through anything in life."