In this episode, Matt speaks with Chief Michael Ott, former Air Force Firefighter and now Fire Chief for Tulare Fire Department, California. They discuss his transition out of the military, how to maximize your marketability as a former military firefighter, and what to expect during the transition.

Chief Ott is a retired Air Force Firefighter who served 21 years at multiple locations across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. He achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and served as a Deputy Fire Chief at Vandenburg Fire Department before retiring in 2021. Since transitioning out of the military, he secured a job as the Tulare Fire Department Fire Chief and serves as an Adjunct Instructor for Fresno City College. His department responds to nearly 8000 calls per year and serves a community of over 70,000 residents.