Probie

Probie is a term used by firefighters and police officers to identify a probationary firefighter, or rookie.

Probies or rookies are generally responsible for the more monotonous style of work which could include cooking, cleaning and general firehouse or police station maintenance. In firefighting the term "Probie" is generally dropped after the rookie has vested one year of service. Many firehouses have special ceremonies in which the "Probie" cooks a large meal on his last day as a probationary firefighter.

In the volunteer fire service Probies are often those who have not fully completed training, are continuing training and who have been with the company for less than a year. The title of "Probie" is reserved for those who are above the age of 18 as anyone below with the same qualifications is considered a "Junior".

In Popular Culture

Use of the term "Probie" has cropped up in a number of TV series about police and fire department employees.
*In Rescue Me, the character of Mike Silletti (played by Michael Lombardi) was referred to almost exclusively as "Probie," by his fellow firefighters through the first three seasons, however the "Probie" status has since been dropped and he's referred to as Mikey.
*In NCIS, Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) is called "Probie" by Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), and inversely NCIS veteran Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) reveals that his former boss Mike Franks (Muse Watson) still calls him "Probie" as that was their primary relationship when they were still working together.

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